Frequently Asked Questions

Counseling, also known as therapy, is a collaborative process between a client and a trained mental health professional. It provides a safe, confidential, and supportive space to explore personal challenges, gain deeper self-understanding, and develop healthier ways of coping. Through this process, individuals, couples, and families can work toward improved emotional well-being, stronger relationships, and meaningful personal growth.

Counseling can help you by:

• Providing support: Offering a non-judgmental, compassionate space to talk openly about thoughts, feelings, and struggles.

• Understanding patterns: Helping people recognize how past experiences, beliefs, or behaviors may influence their present life.

• Developing coping skills: Teaching strategies to manage stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or other challenges.

• Promoting growth: Encouraging personal insight, healthier relationships, and greater well-being.

• Working toward goals: Supporting clients in setting and achieving goals that align with their values and desired life changes.

Counseling can look different depending on the approach (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, or family systems work), but the overall goal is to improve mental health, strengthen relationships, and enhance quality of life.

You don’t have to wait for a crisis to seek therapy. Many people come to counseling when they feel overwhelmed, stuck, or want extra support. Therapy may be helpful if you are:

• Feeling stressed, anxious, or down most of the time

• Having difficulties in relationships or communication

• Struggling with a major life change or loss

• Wanting to break unhelpful patterns or habits

• Seeking personal growth and self-understanding

Anyone can benefit from therapy—whether you’re working through a challenge or simply want to strengthen your overall well-being.

Counseling is a supportive and collaborative process. In your first sessions, your counselor will get to know you, listen to your concerns, and work with you to set goals. Over time, you can expect to:

• Talk openly in a safe, confidential space

• Gain new insight into your thoughts, feelings, and patterns

• Learn practical tools and coping strategies

• Receive support as you work through challenges

• Experience personal growth and improved well-being

Every counseling journey looks a little different, but the focus is always on helping you move toward the changes and growth that matter most to you

Counseling can support people through a wide range of challenges, including:

• Anxiety, stress, and depression

• Relationship or family conflicts

• Grief and loss

• Trauma and past experiences that still affect you

• Life transitions, such as career changes, divorce, or parenting struggles

• Low self-esteem or self-confidence

• Coping with anger, shame, or other difficult emotions

• Personal growth, identity, and self-discovery

You don’t need to face these challenges alone—counseling provides a safe, supportive space to work through them and move toward healing and growth.

Not at all. Therapy is for anyone seeking support, clarity, or personal growth. People pursue counseling for a wide range of reasons—from managing stress and improving relationships to developing coping skills or navigating major life changes. Seeking therapy is a proactive step toward mental and emotional wellness.

The length of therapy depends on your goals and needs. Some people find relief in a few sessions focused on a specific issue, while others benefit from ongoing support over months or years. Your counselor will work with you to set goals and regularly evaluate progress to determine the best approach for you.

While both coaching and therapy can support personal growth, they serve different purposes:

Therapy (Counseling): Focuses on emotional well-being, mental health concerns, and healing from past or present challenges. A therapist is trained to help with issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship struggles.

Coaching: Focuses on achieving specific goals, building skills, and moving forward in areas like career, personal development, or performance. Coaches do not treat mental health conditions.

In short, therapy helps you heal and grow, while coaching helps you set and achieve goals. Some people find value in one, the other, or even both at different points in their lives.

Psychiatrist: A medical doctor (MD) who can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication, and sometimes provide therapy.

Psychologist: Holds a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in psychology. Psychologists provide therapy, psychological testing, and research-based treatment, but typically do not prescribe medication.

Psychotherapist: A general term for trained professionals (such as counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists, or psychologists) who provide talk therapy to help people with emotional and mental health concerns.

In short: psychiatrists can prescribe medication, psychologists focus on assessment and therapy, and psychotherapists provide counseling and support.