Jamie Stodola, MA, LMFT

When choosing a therapist it is important to feel that you are being heard as well as receiving feedback. Sometimes it may take a few sessions with a new therapist to determine if it feels like a good match. If it does not feel like a good match, don't be discouraged, but be proud that you are able to determine that a particular situation or therapist isn't a good match. However, now a word of caution, therapy can feel uncomfortable and feel scary as the clinician has likely created an environment for you in which you will feel vulnerable and that doesn't always feel good. My hope as your therapist is to create a safe space and assist in learning how to manage feeling vulnerable. Finally, keep in mind that relief of the challenge or situation does not always take place in the first sessions, this is why it is important to have a safe place to return to and learn skills to utilize outside of session.