A Few Thoughts on Therapy

The overarching goal of all therapy is simply to make you feel better and to help you live a happier life.

Do not worry that therapy is about being judged or told what's "wrong" with you. I'm not here to judge. And the question is rarely "what's wrong with you" but instead, "what happened to you?" 

A word about virtual therapy. Many people worry that it does not work. In fact, research suggests that it works just as well (and sometimes better). I find it particularly effective with teens, who usually are more relaxed and wiling to share while sitting in the comfort of their room.

There are a lot of negative misconceptions and stereotypes about therapy. As noted above, it's mainly just about changing behavior patterns that are making you unhappy.

One of my goals is to make therapy as comfortable as possible. If you cannot think of anything to say, I won't let you sit in uncomfortable silence. If you feel overwhelmed by something we are discussing, I will change topics. I want to help you, not make you feel uncomfortable.

If you have done bad things, that does not make you a bad person. Decent people do bad things all the time. Most of us do the best we can, and we all make mistakes. Sometimes big ones.

If you have been told you're "over-sensitive" or "too soft," try to ignore those labels. They are inaccurate, usually created by less sensitive people who just do not understand. Sensitive people are not soft. They simply experience feelings more intensely. They need to learn to manage that intensity, but sensitivity is not a weakness; it is actually a strength.

A Few Common Concerns