be honest with yourself, examine your life, ask for help, and make changes.
For many of us, the idea of walking into someone’s office that we’ve never met and begin sharing our greatest fears, insecurities, feelings of self-doubt, hopes, and failures can be pretty daunting. But talking with a counselor who has the training and experience to understand what you’re going through can offer a fresh perspective, thought partnership, and dedicated space to face life’s challenges.
By building a genuine, collaborative relationship with a counselor based in empathy, respect, understanding and non-judgment, you will learn how to navigate complex emotional experiences and get to the heart of what really matters.
Research shows two primary indicators that will determine the successful outcome of counseling:
The strength of the therapeutic relationship
Your commitment to the process
Because of this, fit is critical. It’s important that you find someone that you connect with and feel safe disclosing personal details of your life. In this kind of relationship, you have the freedom to share anything you want. Nothing is off limits. Know that anything can be said during therapy confidentially. You will have the opportunity to reveal as little or as much as you'd like and at your own pace.
Some approaches you may encounter or ask for in session:
Existential Therapy
A philosophical therapeutic method that believes inner conflict is born from our confrontation with four primary dimensions of human existence: the inevitability of death, freedom and its inherent responsibility, existential isolation, and meaninglessness. It is by creating meaning in one’s life that we make decisions. From this lens, we can appreciate the brevity of life by viewing it from a bird’s eye perspective. A critical and holistic approach to therapy, one that truly gets to the core of the way you think, feel, and behave in the world, is through exploring the big ontological questions.
Positive Psychology
Positive psychology is a branch of psychology that uses scientific research to understand and build on the strengths that help people thrive. Rather than focusing only on what’s ‘wrong,’ it emphasizes what makes life worth living—such as gratitude, resilience, purpose, optimism, creativity, awe, and love. Through this lens, therapy helps you cultivate what is already whole and strong within you. By nurturing these qualities, you gain the capacity to move through challenges, shift old patterns and beliefs, feel more engaged and connected, and align your life in ways that allow you to truly flourish.
Mindfulness + Buddhist PsycholoGy
This evidence-based modality emphasizes cultivating present-moment awareness, compassion, and insight into the patterns that contribute to emotional distress. Through mindful attention and reflective practice, clients can develop greater self-regulation, clarity, and emotional balance. Clinical benefits of mindfulness include reductions in anxiety, chronic pain, and substance use, as well as improvements in sleep and sustainable mental health.
INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic model that views the mind as made up of multiple “parts,” each carrying distinct roles, emotions, and perspectives. While some parts protect us and others may hold pain, all are understood to have positive intentions. IFS works by fostering compassionate dialogue with these parts and accessing the core Self—a state of clarity, calm, and wisdom.
Relational COUNSELING
This form of counseling is based on the idea that emotional well-being depends on having satisfying, mutual relationships. The secure relationship between therapist and client is particularly crucial as it becomes a meaningful relationship that is supportive and strengthening. In counseling, you experience empowerment and self-growth through a therapeutic interpersonal connection.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy is a goal-oriented, evidence-based approach that identify practical solutions and move toward meaningful change quickly. Rather than focusing on problems or past challenges, SFBT emphasizes strengths, resources, and actionable steps to create desired outcomes.
Pivotal Counseling is a process of self-discovery that supports you in reconnecting your authentic self to better reach your full potential. If this resonates with you, you’re in the right place. I invite you to reach out and explore how this work might unfold for you.