Damaris Colon

LMHC, LPC

Our first session is really just about getting to know each other. I’ll ask some gentle questions to understand what’s been going on for you, what’s feeling heavy, and what you’re hoping to get out of therapy—but there’s no pressure to have all the answers or share everything right away. You get to go at your own pace. I know starting therapy can feel a little awkward or even intimidating, especially if you're used to handling things on your own. My job in that first session is to help you feel as comfortable and supported as possible. We’ll focus on creating a space that feels safe, where you can be real, be heard, and begin to explore what healing might look like for you.

Setting goals in therapy is something we’ll do together. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach—your goals should reflect what actually matters to you. Early on, we’ll talk about what’s bringing you in, what’s feeling hard right now, and what you'd like life to feel like instead. Sometimes goals are clear from the start, and other times they unfold as we build trust and you begin to understand yourself more deeply. I’ll offer gentle guidance and reflection, but you’re always in the driver’s seat. We’ll check in regularly to see what’s working, what’s shifting, and if your goals are evolving—because healing isn’t always linear. Whether your goal is to feel less anxious, set better boundaries, or simply feel more like yourself, I’m here to support you in getting there, one step at a time.

I wish people knew that therapy doesn’t have to mean something is “wrong” with you. It’s not about being broken or weak—it’s about giving yourself space to breathe, reflect, and be supported in a way that so many of us were never taught to ask for. Especially if you’ve grown up hearing that you have to be strong, or that therapy isn’t for people like you, I want you to know: it’s okay to need help. Therapy is simply a space where you get to be fully seen, without judgment, and supported as you figure things out on your own terms. You don’t have to have it all together to start.