Treatment length varies based on one’s goals and circumstances. Some clients notice relief from their symptoms after the first few sessions, and decide to end treatment inside of eight sessions. This is my aim — you noticing a shift within a few sessions; whether it be a different way of relating to others, a piece of insight that allows you to be more kind to yourself, or a strategy that helps in managing destructive emotions or thoughts.

Therapy is a process that happens between two people — you as the client and me as the provider. Its outcome is partly based on your psychological makeup and history, how you accepting you are of your current condition, and how well we are able to work together.

You may notice that your initial problem leads us to examining other parts of yourself. That a person’s depressive mood may have more to do with one’s difficulty tolerating anger; or vice versa. Or that relationship concern speaks to an unresolved issue in another relationship altogether. Or that difficulty asserting oneself speaks more about the experiences one did not have earlier in their lives. Most of the concerns resolved through psychotherapy are complex — my conceptualization often evolves over the course of treatment. So I would not be able to give you an exact number of sessions.

Forming a deeper understanding of your concerns is central to my work. I’ll ask you questions. It’s possible you may not have an answer to them. That’s okay; this sort of not-knowing is a part of the process of discovering and deepening your understanding of yourself.

As we clarify the concern, a number of paths forward will emerge in our conversation.

Sometimes I explicitly present a possible solution (“I’d like for you to consider <problem>, as I know it to have helped some folks with <concern>.”).

Sometimes I encourage my clients to “slow down…” and to “notice what’s coming up…” as a way of connecting with whatever feelings and thoughts may be arising. And from that place, work with my clients to manage the experience(s) in the moment.

I believe the process towards resolution can continue outside of session. I often note reflections and exercises for my clients to consider between sessions. I also offer handouts, readings, and book recommendations when they seem relevant.

From the first meeting, I encourage my clients to put to words any and all reactions, questions, and feedback. It’s important to me that my clients know that we can “go there.” And I try to do what I can to invite that.

To the extent that it’s helpful, I bring myself as a person into the work with my clients. I’m not a blank slate; no therapist is, even if they claim to be. I’m a multifaceted person who lives in specific cultural spaces. I’m also a therapist. And, in some cases, this difference is important to acknowledge and make room to discuss.

Unlike a job interview or presentation, psychotherapy yields the best outcome when you are not striving to be anything more than the person who is entering the room. So, if there is anxiety, allow yourself to notice it; and as you feel comfortable sharing it with me, do that as well.

That being said, I reflect on the following themes in the earlier stages of psychotherapy with my clients.

1. What are you doing when you are your best self? When you are living meaningfully?

2. What would you like to work on in psychotherapy?