Not Sure What to Expect from Therapy? You're Not Alone.
A lot of first-time callers tell me they’re not exactly sure what counseling is—or what to expect. For many, it’s the first time they’ve ever done something like this. And honestly, that’s totally normal.

Just to clear things up right away: I’m not Freud. You won’t be lying on a couch while I sit beside you with a clipboard saying, “Hmm... interesting, tell me more.”

So with that in mind, I’ve put together a few common questions people have about therapy—to help you feel a little more comfortable before getting started.

 What Is Therapy?
Therapy is simply a space for you to talk about what’s going on in your life—things that might feel overwhelming, confusing, or just hard to deal with on your own. It’s a chance to explore important issues or concerns with someone who is objective and trained to help, whether you're dealing with mental health struggles, relationship problems, or everyday stress.

How Can Therapy Help Me?
So, you’ve taken the first step and started looking for a counselor—but maybe you’re still not totally sure how therapy can actually help. One of the biggest benefits is having a supportive space where you can talk things through and learn new ways to cope—whether you’re dealing with anxiety, grief, or just the stress of everyday life.

Do I Have to Talk About My Feelings?
Well… yeah, you do! Talking about emotions can definitely feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s such an important part of the process. It helps us build self-awareness, work through tough experiences, and even improve how we communicate—especially during conflict.

That said, I get it. Most of us aren’t exactly walking around with a full range of emotions at the ready. If you usually stick to “happy,” “sad,” or “angry,” you’re not alone. For some people—depending on background, culture, or life experiences—it can be even harder to open up emotionally.

But that’s where we start: through regular conversation, we slowly build emotional awareness and even expand your “feelings vocabulary.” (Yes, that’s a real thing!) I even have a laminated sheet full of feeling words that clients actually end up loving… okay, maybe not loving, but they do find it surprisingly helpful along the way.

How Long Are Sessions, How Often Do I Come, and For How Long?
Great questions—and I get them a lot, so I’m grouping them all together.

Short answer? Sessions are about 50 minutes. How often you come in? That’s up to you. And how long you keep coming? Until you get tired of me, just kidding.  

But seriously—while sessions are usually around 50 minutes, how often we meet really depends on a few things: what you’re working through, your schedule (and mine), and how things are going overall. I typically start folks off every two weeks, then we adjust as needed based on your progress and goals.

As for how long you’ll be in therapy, it varies. Some people come for a few months (around 6 is common), while others choose to stick around longer—even just checking in once a month after they've met their main goals. It’s all about what feels right for you.

What’s the Difference Between a Counselor, Psychologist, and Psychiatrist?
Great question—and one that confuses a lot of people!

I’m a counselor (or therapist), which means I have a master’s degree in counseling. I’m trained to help people work through challenges, explore emotions, and build healthier ways of coping—but I don’t prescribe medication or do formal psychological testing.

A psychologist has a doctorate (usually a PhD or PsyD) and also provides therapy. The main difference is that they’re trained to do psychological testing and evaluations—things like ADHD assessments, learning disability evaluations, and more.

A psychiatrist, on the other hand, is a medical doctor (MD) who specializes in mental health. They primarily focus on diagnosing and treating mental health conditions with medication. Some do therapy too, but most focus on medication management.

In short:

• I do therapy

• Psychologists do therapy and testing

• Psychiatrists focus mostly on medication

"Kelly, do you take anything seriously?"
Absolutely—I take what I do very seriously. I’m passionate about this work and deeply care about the people I support. I know that when someone walks into therapy, they might be carrying the weight of anxiety, grief, trauma, or just feeling completely overwhelmed.

While I do bring humor and a laid-back style to sessions, it’s always with respect and awareness of what you’re going through. I believe healing doesn’t always have to be heavy 100% of the time—but your experiences, emotions, and story are always taken seriously.

I take light of things in my FAQ page because they can be boring and yes I have been asked if clients have to lay on a couch or “are you like Freud and just ask about my mother and the past?”