Please Note: Due to the current situation with COVID-19, I am offering Telehealth video therapy sessions via a HIPAA-compliant videoconferencing service. If interested, please let me know.
Individual Counseling and Psychotherapy
Help Is Available … All You Need to Do Is Ask
I know it may seem difficult to believe … if you’ve tried just about EVERYTHING you can think of and are still feeling stuck or lost, struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship problems, or just feeling burnt out and uncertain about the direction of your life, it may feel like there’s nothing else you can do. But there is …
You CAN learn to identify your unique talents and resources, turn life’s challenges into opportunities for personal growth and fulfillment, and live your life to its fullest potential.
This is what professional counseling and psychotherapy are all about …
Why Counseling and Psychotherapy?
When we’re young, we usually think we have all the answers. But as time passes, we often realize that our expectations have changed. Even the questions we ask ourselves change.
The things we once took for granted no longer seem to be true. The things we were taught to be important no longer seem to have meaning. The things that brought our lives purpose and joy no longer seem to do so. And our relationships with significant others, friends, colleagues, or family members, while they may still exist, no longer seem to work the way they once did, or at least how we thought they did.
Of course, we all know change is an inevitable part of life …
But how do you know what’s changed? Or what needs to change?
And even once you’ve discovered the changes you want to make, how do you actually go about effecting those changes?
All too often, when we try to see and do things differently, our previous behaviors kick back in and the same loop begins repeating itself all over again.
It’s enough to make anyone feel discouraged, if not downright helpless. But feelings of guilt or hopelessness only make matters worse.
If any of this sounds familiar … if you feel like you missed out on your copy of the How to Create a Joyous and Fulfilling Life Handbook … you’re far from alone. But that’s no cause to lose hope.
Fortunately, the fact that you’re reading this right now tells me you haven’t completely lost hope, which is great … Because as long as you have hope and a desire to do the work necessary, you CAN create the change you seek!
Of course, we need more than hope and desire … when we’re stuck, we need help.
Sometimes just talking about our problems with friends and family members can do the trick. But that’s not always the case. Friends and family members can’t be truly objective. They often bring their own issues to the table. And sometimes, subconsciously or not, they can be afraid of your attempts to create change.
This is where a professional counselor, psychologist, or psychotherapist can be vital.
If you want to make physical changes in your life, you go to a doctor or hire an athletic coach or trainer. If you want to map out your financial goals and create a plan to achieve them, you hire a financial planner.
Well, if you want to overcome anxiety, depression, or emotional pain, or create changes in your relationships with others, the world around you, and in your relationship with yourself, then it’s time to seek the help of a counselor or psychotherapist.
A professional counselor or therapist is not in the business of being your friend …
My job is to help you explore, get to know, and understand YOU. And, I do this in an objective, non-judgmental way so you can determine the changes you need to make and create the changes you seek, both in your relationships and in your life in general.
Professional counseling and psychotherapy are about intentionally creating the changes you desire and overcoming the perceptions, beliefs and behaviors that are holding you back … and helping clients create these types of positive, lasting changes is why I love doing the work I do!
I offer a confidential, respectful, and empathetic setting in which you can examine, discuss, and work through any difficulties you’re experiencing, including:
- Anxiety, stress, or panic;
- Burnout;
- Existential concerns or feelings of dread;
- Relationship difficulties (be they with your partner, family members, colleagues, or friends);
- Low motivation or self-esteem;
- Life transitions (such as a recent move, divorce, or children leaving home);
- High sensitivity;
- Creating a healthy work-life balance, or;
- Exploring what brings the most meaning and joy to your life!
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying counseling and psychotherapy are the only solutions.
Talking about your problems with those you love, medications, meditation, exercise, and even taking a vacation can all have their place and be helpful. However, these things rarely resolve the underlying causes of our uncertainties, confusion, or emotional or relationship distress. Professional counseling and psychotherapy can.
Tens of thousands of people seek out counseling and psychotherapy services each and every day, and with good reason …
Counseling and psychotherapy can be extremely positive, life-changing processes, which are unmatched in their ability to transform people’s lives.
How Does Therapy Work?
We’ll start by spending the first couple of sessions discussing the issues and concerns that have brought you to therapy, and then determine the goals of our work together and the best methods of achieving them.
We’ll also review any symptoms you’re experiencing and come up with a plan to help you minimize and cope with them as quickly and effectively as possible, before we dive into the underlying causes of those symptoms.
So, for example, if you’re struggling with feelings of anxiety or panic, I may help you with some mindfulness-based stress reduction exercises that you can use to calm yourself and self-soothe when necessary. If you’re struggling with dysthymia or depression, we may discuss a referral to a doctor for a medical evaluation or ways to help you get your motivation back or improve your sleep in addition to working towards resolving the roots of your depression.
But, these are just examples …
How we decide to treat any symptoms you’re experiencing will depend on the nature and severity of the symptoms themselves.
If you’ve never been in therapy, you’ll quickly discover that there’s no “one-size-fits-all” solution and the nature of the work I do is unique to each client who comes in my door.
Once you feel you’re able to manage and cope with whatever symptoms you’re struggling with, we’ll begin to dive deeper and identify, understand, and work through the unconscious thoughts, limiting beliefs, behaviors, and emotional reactions that are holding you back from creating and enjoying the relationships and life you want.
As therapy progresses, you’ll learn to:
- Recognize and challenge limiting belief systems;
- Take responsibility for your thoughts and actions;
- Recognize behaviors that aren’t serving your best interests and learn to change them;
- Overcome relationship issues by communicating more effectively;
- Increase your self-confidence and self-esteem;
- Resolve any family-of-origin issues or other problems left over from childhood;
- Establish healthy boundaries so you can make sure your needs are being met without walking over others, and;
- Move forward in life with confidence and optimism.
Are Counseling and Psychotherapy Right for You?
Creating change is rarely easy, and counseling and psychotherapy shouldn’t be seen as some kind of quick fix … You’ll need to put in the time, energy, and effort required to create the change you seek.
But, if you’re ready and willing to be open and honest with yourself and do the work necessary to heal and grow, you can learn to create a life you truly love living!
When all is said and done, professional counseling and psychotherapy are investments in your self-awareness, your ability to take better care of yourself so you can take better care of others, your ability to learn from your own mistakes and effectively navigate change, and your ability to create the best relationships and life possible.
Believe it or not, you CAN learn to turn any issues you’re facing into opportunities for personal growth. You can feel confident in your abilities and optimistic about your future.
The work I do has allowed me to witness the positive, lasting changes my clients have created in their lives. I’m a firm believer … and, I’m truly privileged to do what I love. I look forward to helping you do the same.
What are you waiting for? You can either keep doing the same things that aren’t working, or you can contact me today by phone at 503-961-9200 or by email me at julie@juliewilliamspsyd.com to learn more about how I can help and whether or not we’d be a good fit for working together. I look forward to speaking with you.