Overall, mental health therapy can look a bit different for everyone. At Journey to Healing Counseling (J2HC), you can expect a confidential relationship with your therapist and a judgment-free zone. There is a clear understanding that actions do not define individuals and every one of us is simply doing the best we can with what we have been given. J2HC’s goal is to form a working alliance in which you may likely talk about your life history, areas of struggle, and events that have impacted your life.
For some, this journey may look like clear timelines, defined goals, practicing and acquiring certain skills, obtaining a new set of tools, developing greater insight, challenging beliefs with multiple perspectives, processing emotions previously avoided and invalidated, developing awareness, and the security of a safe space for healing.
J2HC uses well-documented treatment modalities to achieve these objectives. Integrating cognitive-behavioral therapies, dialectal strategies, acceptance commitment, attachment theories, EMDR past trauma work, mindfulness techniques, cultural mind frames, generational pattern identification, and the use of successfully implemented spiritual, eco, art, music, movement, and nature therapy strategies.
How do you know if therapy is right for you? Consider these questions…
- What are your symptoms?
- Do you have any mental health issues in your family history?
- How is your home life?
- Do you have a history of suicidal ideation or self-harm?
- What do you hope to get from therapy?
- What do you want to accomplish in sessions?
- What changes would you like to see?
Which therapist is right for you? Consider these questions…
- What is confidentiality and when/why would confidentiality ever be broken?
- What are their experience and expertise?
- Do they have any experience with your specific type of mental health issues?
- Has the therapist ever been to – do they currently attend therapy?
- What kind of things does the therapist expect you to do between sessions?
- What is the therapist cancellation policy?
- Does the therapist take insurance, a sliding scale, or do they accept bi-weekly appointments?
- Change can be difficult and there are times when the work done in therapy is uncomfortable; as it may challenge learned beliefs and behaviors that have existed since childhood. With this being said, if you are considering looking for a different therapist or terminating therapy completely after the first 2 to 4 sessions, the National Alliance on Mental Illnesses has a series of questions to consider…
- Does the therapist challenge you?
- Do they check in with you?
- Do they guide you to your goals?
- Do they help you learn?
- Do they show acceptance and compassion?
- Do they treat you as an equal?