Top 5 Questions About Starting Therapy in Colchester, CT

Do you have questions about starting counseling in Colchester, CT?

Starting Therapy in Colchester, CT

Many times, when people reach out to Azalea Counseling & Wellness for counseling, they have never been in therapy before and have questions about to expect.  It is normal to feel a little anxious about reaching out to set up an appointment and to have many questions about the therapy process.  These are the top 5 questions I receive about starting therapy:

1. What is counseling?

Behavioral health counseling is a process between a therapist and a client where they work together to develop a therapeutic relationship.  A counselor (or therapist – we tend to use the names interchangeably) helps a client to better understand their feelings, thoughts, behaviors, social issues, and/or stressors.  Counselors help clients process what has been going on in their lives and what has been happening in their thoughts.  Counselors then help clients develop coping skills and self-care techniques to reduce anxiety and stress using theoretical techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  To learn more about what a first therapy appointment is like click here.

2. So what’s the deal with confidentiality?

Counselors and therapists follow professional and legal guidelines to keep information about your counseling sessions confidential.  Information about your counseling sessions cannot be shared with anyone without your written permission which is done by client filling out a Release of Information form.  There are limitations to confidentiality.  If there is the possibility of harming yourself or someone else, suspicion of abuse or neglect of a child, or suspicion of abuse or neglect of an elderly person, counselors/therapists are mandated to report information to the appropriate authorities to keep people safe.

3.  Is it ok to share good things that are going on in my life?

Absolutely!  Just as much as therapists want to support you through the difficult and tough times, we are happy to hear the good, as well.  The good needs attention too!  Many times, by sharing the good, people discover just how resilient they are and/or learn the coping strategies they are using are working. 

4.  I think other people have it worse than me.  Should I still try therapy?

It is easy to fall into the comparison trap of comparing other’s lives to ours.  The problem is it dismisses your experiences and your feelings.  If something is stressful, causing you to feel anxious, or is problematic to you, then it is worth bringing up and processing it.  Your therapy session is a safe place to process what is going on in your life without judgement.  If something is important to you, then it is important.  Your time in your therapy session is your time, no one else’s.  You deserve to be heard.

5. How long will I be in therapy for?

Good question!  And a tough one to answer.  I don’t have a clear-cut answer because therapy is not one size fits all.  Some people come in for only a few sessions and some people come in for much longer.  Think about what you would like to achieve in therapy.  We will work together to work towards reaching those goals. 

Starting Counseling in Colchester, CT

If you are ready for counseling in Colchester to address the stress and worries impacting your emotional well-being call 860-888-2516 today or email for a 15 minute free phone consultation.