Frequently Asked Questions
Concerned about what therapy is really like? Here's what you need to know.
What is therapy really like?
Therapy is a collaborative process that gives you a confidential space to talk openly about what you are experiencing, without having to manage someone else's feelings, expectations, or opinions.
Sessions may involve exploring thoughts and emotions, identifying patterns, understanding how past or present experiences may be affecting you, learning practical skills, and trying different ways of responding to situations. At times, therapy can feel supportive and reassuring. Other times, it may challenge you to see things differently or examine what you would rather avoid.
You do not need to know exactly what to say or have everything figured out before you begin. We start with what you are experiencing and work from there.
What does a therapist offer that a friend, family member, or confidant cannot?
Support from people you trust can be an important part of emotional well-being, and therapy does not replace those relationships. It offers something different.
As a licensed professional counselor, I bring clinical training and experience to help assess what you are experiencing, recognize patterns that may be contributing to distress, establish treatment goals, and use therapeutic interventions appropriate to your needs.
Therapy also provides professional boundaries and confidentiality that keep the relationship focused on your mental and emotional health. Rather than telling you what to decide, my role is to help you understand what may be influencing you, consider different perspectives, and build skills you can use beyond the therapy session.
What can I expect during my first therapy session?
Your first session gives us an opportunity to begin understanding what you are experiencing and what you would like help addressing.
We will review relevant information about your current concerns, symptoms, history, functioning, and treatment goals. I may also use clinical assessments when appropriate to help us better understand your symptoms and establish a starting point for treatment.
You will also have an opportunity to ask questions. Therapy is collaborative, and establishing a therapeutic relationship where you can communicate openly is an important part of the process.
How can I get the most from therapy?
Therapy works best when you actively participate. That includes attending sessions consistently, communicating openly, asking questions, practicing skills between sessions when appropriate, and discussing what is or is not helping.
My responsibility is to bring clinical knowledge, preparation, therapeutic interventions, and honest feedback to our work. Your responsibility is not to perform perfectly or always know what to do. It is to participate as openly as you can and be willing to examine what you are experiencing.
Progress is not always linear. Sometimes therapy involves noticeable changes, while other periods involve learning, practicing, reassessing, or working through something difficult. We can evaluate your progress together and adjust treatment when needed.
What are the benefits of therapy?
The benefits of therapy vary by the person, the concerns being addressed, and the goals of treatment. Therapy may help you:
• Better understand your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and patterns
• Develop healthier ways of coping with stress, anxiety, and difficult emotions
• Recognize and challenge patterns of thinking that contribute to distress
• Improve communication and relationship skills
• Establish and maintain healthier boundaries
• Process difficult or traumatic experiences
• Develop strategies for managing symptoms that interfere with everyday life
• Strengthen problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Increase self-awareness and understanding of what affects your emotional well-being
• Practice skills that support healthier responses to difficult situations
Therapy is not a guarantee that difficult experiences will disappear. The goal is to help you better understand what you are experiencing and develop ways to respond that support your mental health and functioning.
How do I know if therapy may be right for me?
You do not have to be in crisis to benefit from therapy.
Consider therapy when thoughts, emotions, behaviors, symptoms, relationships, or past experiences cause distress or interfere with your daily life. You may also recognize that something does not feel right even if you cannot clearly explain what is happening.
An initial consultation gives us an opportunity to discuss what brings you to therapy and determine whether my services and approach may be appropriate for your needs.
How does virtual therapy work?
TLTC provides therapy through secure video sessions, allowing you to attend appointments from a private location without traveling to an office.
You will need a reliable internet connection, a device with a camera and microphone, and a private space where you can speak comfortably. Because Michelle is licensed in Texas, you must be physically located in Texas during your therapy session.
Virtual therapy still involves the same attention to privacy, therapeutic goals, clinical assessment, and treatment that you would expect from professional counseling services.
What if I am unsure whether we are a good fit?
That is one purpose of the complimentary consultation.
A therapeutic relationship is personal, and credentials alone do not determine whether a therapist is right for you. During the consultation, we can briefly discuss what you are seeking help with, you can ask questions about my approach, and we can determine whether moving forward with an intake appointment makes sense.
It is okay to consider fit when choosing a therapist.