Of course you are.

I can’t promise I’ll answer everything, but you can always ask. I won’t make it weird.

No, you don’t have to do anything.

… But if we keep coming back to something you are struggling with that seems rooted there, I may challenge you (with gentleness and curiosity) to explore some of that history with me.

YES. Please do.

Therapy is your space. If I screwed something up, I would like to know so I can make it right.

Being able to repair with your therapist can be really powerful! It can help you navigate conflict in other relationships, too.

I mean… both, honestly.

I do actually care a lot. I am incredibly lucky that I get paid to do work that I find incredibly meaningful.

I pursued this line of work because I care, and getting paid to do it means I can afford to do it more.

No. I can’t prescribe medications as a counselor in the state of Texas.

If I feel like medication might be a helpful tool for you, I’ll talk to you about it. And I will give you referrals to prescribing providers (often a psychiatrist) for an evaluation.

Ultimately, it is your personal choice whether you choose to take my recommendation or not.

Yes, if your concerns match the criteria for a diagnosis, I may bring it up. And we can talk about that. You are also welcome to disagree. If you don’t want me to put a diagnosis in your chart, I won’t.

Diagnosis can be helpful and validating to some people. To others, it can just feel like another box they’re being put into.

I don’t lead with diagnostics, but I will explore that with you if having a diagnosis would help you.

No, but you may have to see that to believe it. And that’s alright.

At the end of the day, the therapy room isn’t about me. My judgements have no place there. It’s about you.

The way I see it, it is my job to help you explore yourself. I don’t want to put judgements of “good” or “bad” upon you. The rest of the world probably does that enough already.

No, I promise I won’t be mad. I will probably worry about you if I don’t hear from you, but I respect your autonomy. If you needed to ghost, I get it.

And YES, you can come back! It does not matter if it has been months or years, I would be so glad to hear from you. I will not shame you for your hiatus. I just want to know what I missed!

Fuck yeah, if you want to.

Involuntary hospitalization is a last resort for me. Honestly, I don’t know any therapist who would disagree on this.

I am a mandated reporter. But hospitalization is on the table only when:

1. you have a plan, means, and intent to harm yourself, and

2. we cannot come up with VERY solid plan to keep you safe.

Also, I don’t do surprise hospitalizations. We will have a conversation about it—I’m not going to spring it on you out of nowhere or call emergency services before you know what is going on.

I mean, a better question is do you want therapy? How do you hope it might help you?

If you’re reading this, odds are you’re seriously considering therapy. The best way to find out if therapy will be helpful to you is to give it a shot.

Yes. We can talk about sex, religion, money, politics, or any other “taboo” topic. Therapy is a safe space to explore anything.

You shouldn’t, at first! That’s normal.

Trust takes time. You want to see me practice what I preach. I get that.

I won’t pressure you to trust me until you’re good and ready.

Generally, terminating therapy involves reviewing your progress, identifying your next steps, and exploring any feelings that may come up with saying goodbye.

We can review what worked in therapy, what didn’t, and tie up any loose ends that feel unfinished.