FAQs about counseling, therapy, psychotherapy, in Tampa

Finding a few therapists in Tampa can be simple enough, you might have found a few who’s photos or bio’s give you an idea of who they are and honestly you wouldn’t mind meeting with them. You probably have a ton of questions and that’s completely normal! If you’re sitting there thinking… I have no idea what to ask this person, that’s okay too! Also totally normal! 

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions that might be helpful as you determine if a therapist is the right fit for you. Whether you are looking for an anxiety therapist, an EMDR therapist, an in person therapist or a virtual therapist, these questions can help when determining if a therapist fits with what you are looking for.

How do I know if I really need counseling? 

If you have been feeling like you want to see something change in your life, you ready to feel different in life, that’s a great spot to start counseling, when you are ready for the change. A lot of people will use counseling as a band-aid effect, when they feel overwhelmed they might seek out counseling for a short period of time to deal with that overwhelm and then choose to stop counseling. This is totally okay! And, I truly believe that when we are ready for change we find the people who will support us to make the changes we need in our life. I specialize in helping people with anxiety and past trauma, and typically I find that clients seek me out when they are ready for a change in their lives.

Will there be homework in therapy?

This is a great question to ask a to-be therapist! Some therapists give homework regularly and some don’t! Asking this question can give you more insight into the therapists style and if this jives with you! I personally give very little/if any paper homework and really only do this at the beginning to get to know a client.. and the great thing is with me there isn’t a due date on the homework, it’s when you’re ready. Other than that I might ask a client to practice some of the EMDR therapy skills they learned in therapy during the week to build that muscle and aid in their stress levels.

How will I know if counseling is working? What happens if counseling isn't working?

Counseling should be working, you should be seeing some change or feeling some change. It can be tough and it can take time, but ultimately you should be able to see change happening when we look backwards. If not, that can cause anxiety. That’s why I suggest that every few weeks, you and your therapist look at what has been different since you started counseling, what has changed and what needs to change. Ask your therapist-to-be what their process looks like when it comes to this and how they make plans to pivot if things aren’t working!

Conclusion

I hope this helps you find more clarity and questions to ask as you search for the right therapist in Tampa. If you are at all feeling stuck, please feel free to call me at (813)738-3600. If you are looking for an anxiety therapist in Tampa or are looking for EMDR therapy in Tampa, give me a call to talk about how I work and ask your questions. We can chat for a free 15-minute consultation, where we can determine if I might be the right fit for you.. If not, there’s no harm no foul, I just want to see each person that calls find the help they are looking for. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person if I am not it.