How Therapy Works

If you’ve never seen a therapist before, it might be a little intimidating.

For legal and ethical reasons, therapy continues to be a very private profession. Unless you have the opportunity to experience it firsthand, it can be hard to know what to expect.

And if you’re struggling, it can be even harder to reach out.

Here’s what it might be like if we work together.

In my San Francisco therapy practice, I see women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. Some issues I specialize in are self-esteem, body image, relationship struggles, anxiety and depression. I also work with fertility and perinatal issues, disordered eating, trauma, and work/career issues.

Sessions are held in person, or virtually by secure video or phone. My office is located in the Laurel Heights neighborhood in San Francisco.

Therapy is an opportunity for you to explore your truth. This means that whatever is going on for you is important to me. We become a team together in exploring your struggles and inquiries into your unique self.

In the first couple of sessions, we will sit together and talk about where you come from, where you are currently, and where you may want to go in the future.

As a nonjudgmental presence, I am compassionate, understanding, and supportive.

Though you decide what to explore in session, I am also an active participant in the process. I am not the kind of therapist who sits back and silently nods her head for most of the session.

As we get to know each other week by week, we will organically create a flow of how our sessions will go, always knowing that this will change and evolve.

We may start or end the session with a guided mindfulness meditation. We may explore some movement together. We may simply talk through your concerns. Since I use somatic (body-based) tools in my sessions, I’ll encourage you to connect to your body sensations in a way that feels comfortable and natural for you.

I will empower you to take your learning home, to integrate the skills into your daily life. I often give suggestions for how you might navigate a hard conversation with someone you’re having trouble with, encourage you to take steps towards a personal goal you might be struggling to get started on, and suggest relevant books or podcasts.

Therapy often stirs things up, so while it is my deepest intention to help you feel better, that’s not always the case. You may not feel better right away, and, at times, it may even seem that you feel worse. This is OK, and totally normal!

The therapeutic process is designed to bring emotions to the surface, and naturally some of those will be challenging emotions (fear, anger, sadness, grief, rage…). Therapy can also bring up old wounds, hurts, and trauma. This is also OK – in fact, it’s a good thing! That’s exactly what therapy is for.

We’ll work together to help you manage what is coming up for you in the moment so that you can feel grounded instead of overwhelmed by your life.

Overtime, therapy will help you regain a sense of empowerment and control over your life, through increased self-awareness, connection, and compassion.

I hope this has helped you feel less in the dark about the therapy process. If you wish to explore more, or try a session with me, please reach out to set up your free 20 minute phone consultation.
Contact me at 415-841-2737 or email me here.