Hannah Armstrong, M.A., Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, NCC

If you're uncertain about starting therapy, then I've got some great news - you're not alone! Therapy can be an incredibly helpful, supportive, and impactful experience for the majority of individuals who engage with the process. It is also a highly vulnerable environment where you are asked to share and reflect about yourself in a way few people get the opportunity to in their day to day lives, so it's understandable to be a bit nervous about getting started. More good news, though - the most important part of going to therapy is that you're willing to "try." You don't need to know exactly what your goals are or will be, you don't need to be sure about what you want or don't want to change, and you don't even need to be fully "ready" to make changes or share your most personal stories right away! As long as you have curiosity about the process and a willingness to try, the rest will follow in time. As your therapist, I will never ask you to share more than you feel ready to, make decisions that aren't right for you, or push goals that you aren't on board with. I will ask you to try the process with curiosity, patience, and flexibility - at a pace and level that work for you. I will challenge you to "try" to see yourself and your experiences in a new way. If we try something that doesn't work, we will adapt and change. If we try something that you don't like, I will welcome and celebrate your feedback so we can work through it together. If I don't end up being the right therapist for you, I will support and encourage your process of finding a better fit. The first step to making a change, improving your well-being, and discovering new possibilities for your life is simply to try. If you never try, you'll never know what opportunities await you.