Let’s Find the Happiness.
Why Seek Therapy?
Do you have a constant tape running in your head about something that went wrong? Even something you might tell yourself is small? Do you stay up at night, worrying about a regret, or an upsetting memory? Do you have a hard time going about your daily duties without being dragged into the past? Well, you have come to the right place. Whether you want to map out problems from a long time ago, daily concerns, or if you feel like no one understands you, talking things through in therapy is a good place to start.
Often when we relive painful experiences, have relationship problems, or face barriers in our communities, our bodies and minds take the toll and we become exhausted and unable to flourish and tap into our energy resources. When this happens, it is hard to be creative, maintain relationships, and take care of ourselves and others. So, how do we get back into that place where we can enjoy what we love about ourselves and those around us? In therapy, there are many basic techniques that can help minimize negative thinking, put problems into perspective, and get the mind and body tuned and settled so that you can be your best self.
So, what can therapy do? It gives you a time all to yourself where you can express and choose to explore issues in a space that is your own, with focus on your own healing.
In therapy, you can learn some ways to help process your situation, little tweaks that help send you on your way.
Is Therapy For Me?
But…why should I tell all my problems to a complete stranger?
Our friends and family and loved ones can be a great support. But sometimes what we carry within us parts of ourselves we may find hard to share. When we don’t show these things, we sometimes make them hidden. Therapists are trained to be receptive and attentive, and to help draw patterns with you so that you can come to your healing more easily.
But…will I need to lie on a couch and talk about my childhood?
In therapy, it is helpful to share relevant parts of ones’ history to help gain a good picture of the problem. Some people find therapy much like talking to a friend, someone who knows important details about your life. Here, the therapist is trained to focus on what you would like to accomplish.
I did therapy in the past, and it didn’t work
Therapy is like a dance, you have to know your steps and your role for the movement to flow. In therapy, it is important to choose someone you feel comfortable with. It can also happen that there are moments that we are not ready for therapy. In other circumstances, you need to have a good fit. It is important to remember that therapy doesn’t fix anything, therapy helps a person make changes for the better. Sometimes the changes are there, but go unnoticed because we focus on big changes. In reality, changes are helpful whether they are small or big.
My background
When I worked as an in-home family therapist, many times problems would be addressed by clarifying the expectations for family members, in defining better what needs were being sought. For example, one child performed better in school after the family worked diligently on making a chore chart. This sounds simple, but sometimes the small things make a big difference.
As an intern, I learned that sometimes people just need a little nudge, and then they can do the rest. One of my clients was anxious and depressed about not having friends. We explored little ways she could reach out to her classmates, and within weeks she was enjoying her classes and making friends. So, it all depends on one’s goals.
What I enjoy is working with people fom a variety of backgrounds. I spent nearly 6 years living in Peru, and actually went there to learn enough Spanish to provide therapy in Spanish since I saw how important Spanish was in my job as an in-home therapist. I enjoy helping families navigate issues related to identity, race, culture, sexual orientation, and other social factors that impact and support our mental health. I am a race, gender, and social identity-affirming therapist.
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