FAQs
I have never spoken to a mental health professional. I usually just handle things on my own. How can therapy help me?
Many of us grow up hearing that we need to “suck it up” or “just handle it” when we experience life challenges. This is why many of us often feel ashamed of seeking support from others. But, asking for help actually demonstrates a great deal of courage and self-awareness. A mental health professional can help you look at and approach your challenges in a new way. They can be a neutral third party that provides you with a different perspective and honest feedback about your situation, without judgment or expectations. Remember that it is okay to not be okay, and it’s okay to ask for help.
What can I expect from my free consultation call?
At Tampa Counseling and Wellness, we provide FREE 15-20 minute consultation calls. We do this because we know that sometimes the process of seeking support and coming in for counseling can be anxiety provoking. We want this process to feel as easy, seamless, and stress free as possible. We know that if you are reaching out to us, chances are you are already feeling overwhelmed with life. This call is an opportunity for you to speak with your potential therapist and begin to discuss some of the issues that you ate currently facing. It is also a great opportunity for you to ask your therapist some initial questions, such as their counseling approach, areas of focus, and expectations for therapy. We hope that your consultation call can bring you some initial peace of mind.
What can I expect from my first session? Do I have to open up about everything?
Often times people fear going to therapy because they think they have to immediately “jump into” all of their issues in the first session. This is never the case at our office. Our therapists are trained to provide you with the patience and space you need to take therapy at your own pace. You will never feel rushed to share or to change. At Tampa Counseling and Wellness we honor the fact that therapy is a very individual process and that everyone is so uniquely different. Additionally, while every therapist is also a bit different, most first sessions are utilized to gather some initial information about the issue you are struggling with along with some surface background information about your past. Your comfort is always our primary aim.
How long will therapy take?
Unfortunately, this is hard to say for the reasons we just described above- everyone is so uniquely different. Additionally, many of us naturally have mental defense mechanism that may unconsciously arise during therapy blocking us from seeing or feeling certain things right away. The good news is that our therapists are trained to help you navigate these issues with greater ease than you would be able to have on your own. For most people, the length of time counseling can take to accomplish your goals may depend on your understanding of personal change, your commitment to therapy, and the motives that are driving you to seek counseling in the first place.
Why shouldn’t I just take medication?
Medications can be an effective tool and the data from clinical research consistently shows that medications in conjunction with counseling is always the most effective treatment. However, we rarely advocate the exclusive use of medications to resolve mental health issues or life problems. At Tampa Counseling and Wellness we believe that getting to the “root” of your issue is the best long-term solution for your improved mental health and wellness. Our work together is designed to explore and unpack the problems you are experiencing so that you can gain greater insight and feel empowered to better handle life on your own. That being said, we do work alongside a psychiatrist at our practice in situations where medications may be needed.
What is the difference between therapy and coaching, and how do I know which one I need?
This is a great question and one that we get all of the time. Often times, individuals have already been through counseling and/or are simply looking for some help or guidance around setting life goals and achieving certain objectives. Sometimes these individual just need some accountability from a professional or may be looking for someone to help them explore certain behavioral or mental blocks that might be getting in the way of them accomplishing their goals. Our coaches are trained to identify if coaching is right for you or if you may need therapy in order to explore deeper psychological or emotional issues or traumas. Our initial FREE consultation call can also serve as an opportunity to identify which service is optimal for you. At Tampa Counseling and Wellness, we truly believe that you are your greatest guide so we always recommend that you listen to your “gut” and decide what service feels right for you.
I’m in! I want to get the most out of therapy or coaching. What is my next step?
Congratulations! We are excited that you have decided to take the next step. Call our office today or contact us via the link below to begin your journey. Know that individuals receive the best results when they are committed to their sessions and actively participate in their growth and healing.
