Lisa Boomers, Licensed Professional Counselor, CAADC

Therapy provides a safe space for you to process life with an impartial third party. It is built on honest feedback, compassionate validation, and support with any number of life issues. Family and friends are terrific, but they typically cannot be as objective as a therapist. Therapy is a place to build critical skills, improve self-esteem, work through past or present challenges, and identify strengths within yourself. A strong therapeutic alliance and a commitment to yourself is all that is needed for therapy to be successful!

What I love most about my work is the opportunity to connect with so many different people. I welcome individuals of all races, genders, and religious beliefs into my office. I believe diversity is what makes humans beautiful. I learn just as much (if not more) from my clients as they learn from me!

Typically, the first session covers a lot of the background information - your family of origin, your mental health history, and your reasons for seeking counseling. Beyond that, it helps to know how you learn best (are you a visual learner? do you prefer hands-on?) and what your expectations are for therapy. I tailor my interventions to best meet your needs, so as much information as you can provide me, the better your chances for success!

Has a past negative therapy experience stopped you from trying again? That can be so hard! As individuals, we will not gel with every single person we meet, so "therapist shopping" is not necessarily a bad thing. You deserve to feel comfortable, safe, seen, and heard in the therapy room. It is of utmost importance that you find a therapist who aligns with this belief. Feel free to open up about those poor experiences, and I will work with you on identifying where we can do things differently this time around. As hard as it is, do not allow a negative experience to overshadow the tremendous benefits that can come from a wonderful therapeutic journey!

As a fellow human being, I, too, have endured numerous hardships throughout my life. Throughout the years, I have worked with a number of wonderful therapists who supported me in overcoming those struggles. Having gone through my own issues has allowed me to bring more compassion and empathy to those who walk through my door. While I cannot say I will have experienced everything you have, I am very competent in putting myself in your shoes and connecting with you. Your story is yours - it is valid, it is important, and it made you who you are. The same is true for my story.

Therapy is not easy. I will never pretend it is. But it is so worth it! It is important to know that therapy is not linear. It does not happen in a perfect line from start to finish; it is messy, it is circular at times, and it ebbs and flows. I liken therapy to a physical wound. Imagine having a nasty wound on your body. Chances are, you have been covering this wound with tiny bandaids that protect, but do not heal, it. The hardest part of therapy is ripping that bandage off and exposing that wound to light and air. By doing this, there is nothing left for that wound to do but heal from the inside out. Therapy can be extremely painful, especially early on. It is normal to feel much better, following the initial appointment or two; this is because it feels like a huge weight has been lifted. However, as we dig into the hard stuff, it is typical to feel like therapy is causing more harm than good. If people drop out of therapy, it is typically at this stage. I strongly urge you to keep coming back, as healing takes time and effort. Additionally, do not underestimate the strength of just talking through things. Therapy is not always learning new skills and bringing home a tangible takeaway. It is about connection, trust, and lasting change.

Ever heard it said that going to therapy or needing help makes you weak? I wholeheartedly disagree! This sentiment is not only damaging, but it perpetuates the stigma associated with mental health. I contend that the opposite is true - seeking support and admitting you need help is the biggest strength a person can have! Suffering in silence is not strong; allowing another person to assist you in carrying life's burdens is what is strong.

The single most important determinant for therapeutic success is the client-therapist relationship. As a client, you must feel safe and validated with your therapist. You deserve to walk out of each session feeling heard, seen, and valued. Not every person is going to connect with every therapist, and that is okay. Keep looking until you find a therapist who meets you where you are at and collaborates with you on your journey. Talking to a therapist should be like communicating with a trusted family member or friend - you should not feel judged, inferior, or criticized. There needs to be a normalcy to therapy, meaning the conversation should be easy, and the alliance should be genuine.

The average therapy session is 53-60 minutes. There may be times where 30 or 45 minute sessions are appropriate - because of client's prior engagements, a last-minute session, or the need for less support. Unless there is imminent crisis (severe suicidality, for example), I allow you to dictate how frequently you attend therapy sessions. I strongly recommend starting at a frequency of bi-weekly, as it is easier to start with more and then taper down. However, you know your finances and your schedule better than I do, and I trust that you will schedule appointments as often as you need to. In the event of more severe situations, or when there is a safety concern, I will step in and insist on more frequent sessions, in order to provide the amount of support I deem necessary.

A problem is whatever you define it is. Nobody else has the right to tell you your struggles are not problematic or valid. If something is causing a disruption in your normal life functioning, it can be deemed a problem. There is a misconception that only severely ill or traumatized people need therapy. This is simply not true. Any struggle you are currently facing, or have faced in the past, is worthy of exploration and therapeutic support.