Exactly What to Expect in Counseling with Me
What to Expect When You First Call
When you call me I will ask you to tell me why you want counseling. I will encourage you to talk so as to get some of your anxiety out and calm you down. Usually within 15 minutes I will know what it is that you need or want. If you need a little extra time I will grant it. This will give us an opportunity to get a little acquainted. You will get opportunities to say what exactly you want. You will learn how I talk and do things. This consultation will help both the couple or the individual and me know if we might be the right fit. We will then set up the first paid appointment. Payment will be due at time the session is scheduled by check in the mail. Sessions are $195 for 50 minutes.
What to Expect At Your First Session
At the first session we will enjoy small talk to get warmed up. Then I will ask again that you tell me what is bothering you. With a therapeutic mind I will listen, drawing in the meanings of your words, comparing your words with many others who have come before with similar situations. Drawing examples from early education and training that fit your situation, I will listen for your rational thoughts and emotions to see how congruent they are. Usually the lack of understanding of one’s emotions is a big problem causing issues for the couple or individual. I will listen for what I call core personality traits, those that define you, and define major personality conflicts that determine many of your attitudes and behaviors. Your words, facial expressions, inflections, respiration, skin hues, and other body language will help me understand your condition.
Much time will be spent in reading between the lines or “hearing” you. My intuition will inform much of what you say and do. I will look for traits of or mental illnesses. All of us have such traits. Some are unaware of mental illnesses such as ADD, ADHD, Bipolar, and other.. Within the first session I will recognize most of the issues facing you and usually begin resolving at least one in that first session. I may take a few notes, but after the session will write verbatim what each said. In my mind I will set up a schedule of which issues to work on first. Week by week I will study my notes, do research and keep you on schedule for reaching your goals, preventing you from wasting your time and money.
Expect an Economic Use of Your Time
In the beginning of each session I will ask if you want to talk about something that has come up to bother you. It is your time. I have found that most clients early on want me to get to my schedule so as to push them along faster. The first one or two sessions I allow more time because it is difficult for you to get it done in 50 minutes. Then we will settle down to 50 minutes. Normally I will assign homework. This is to practice what you have learned. The homework is to make the counseling easier and faster. Often clients forget to do it and therefore end up spending more time and money on sessions.
Some Cutting Edge Solutions to Expect
For years I have been discovering new ways to resolve client issues. With Person Centered counseling one could expect to take ten or more years to resolve 30 major issues. In 2018 I learned to do that in seven months. After that I discovered one big finding after another such as The Thirty Issues, The Eight Causes, Emotional Communication and Unique Qualities. By 2021 I published The Big White Dog with Green Eyes to give a simple formula for couples to follow in having a solid relationship or marriage. For those who wanted a deeper relationship and those who wanted to explore the depths of their being, I introduced other forms of communication. To me, counseling is a wonderful mystery that continues to unravel and give us new ways of having what we want. I love it when people call and give me opportunities to share what I have learned and continue to learn.
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