While everyone's experience is unique, therapy generally follows a typical pattern. Here's a bit about what you should expect: In our initial meeting, I'll work with you to understand you and your unique circumstances. We'll work together to set goals for therapy that reflect your deepest wishes. Then we'll progress toward those goals by accessing your strengths and identifying what contributes to your current difficulties (internally and externally). Sometimes this involves connecting your current situation to past experiences, but we'll continue to stay grounded in the present. You're likely to benefit most from therapy by committing to weekly sessions of 50 minutes each. This will help establish and maintain momentum toward achieving your goals. You'll know therapy is working when you feel less down, worried, afraid, or anxious. However, you may feel worse before you feel better. This is part of the therapeutic process and usually means you are making progress. Once you gain insight into what drives you and are good at making use of this new understanding, the therapy sessions will become more infrequent until therapy is terminated. Of course, you are free to return at any time for follow-ups or to begin a new phase of growth. What can you expect from therapy? At the beginning of therapy, we'll work together to define your specific goals, but, therapy will also help you more fully understand yourself and your behaviors. This understanding will result in an improved self-image, the freedom to make better choices in life, an increased capacity for intimacy, and an enhanced ability to love yourself, others, and God. Plus, you'll be better prepared to overcome future difficulties on your own. For couples therapy, we'll work together to create more secure emotional bonds and deepen the levels of trust you share with each other. You will be able to consistently create a context of safety for one another while identifying and escaping old destructive patterns of relating. You'll both become more effective communicators and be better equipped to resolve conflicts.