Jamie R LaFevers

LCPC

I don't give up and I try to bring some amount of joy, hope, humor, patience, and confidence to each session to minimize the anxiety, fear, and shame that some might feel about meeting with a therapist. I will encourage my client to analyze my style and my approach and let me know if it is not working for them. My aim is not to be the perfect fit for each client, but to help them identify their needs, goals, and resources and point them in the right direction. If I know of a service or provider that is a better match for the client than I am I will let my client know this. I will do research and provide resources as needed. I will also insist that my clients identify things that they alone can control and do outside of sessions in order to make the most of their time, as well as to be able to grow and evolve from their progress in therapy.

I do not determine my client's goals - they do. The client is the expert. They have been with themselves every second of their lives. They know their strengths, their letdowns, their history, their hopes and dreams and fears. They also know that there is something going on in their life that they would like to be different. I work with my clients to help clarify and articulate what that is, what it looks like, what it feels like and sounds like. We then start identifying small, measurable steps that they can take to reach those goals. And we take as much time, or move as quickly, as the client wants to. I picture myself in the car with the client and they are behind the wheel, driving the car and making all of the final decisions and movements to get the car where it wants to be. I am merely in the passenger seat.

The very first session with a new therapist can be really nerve-wracking! Are they going to be nice and patient, withdrawn or bored? There's so many ways that first session can go! The first session with me is very open, professional, supportive, reassuring and focused on providing and gaining information, as well as discussing goals and immediate recommendations for activating change. My approach to therapy is inviting, collaborative, engaged, and flexible so that the client and I can discuss what works and doesn't work so that we can make the most out of their time with me. I use humor, reflection, open discussions about thoughts and ideas, and usually provide the client with a small task or project to focus on between sessions (where the real progress happens). The first session will also provide the client time to ask any questions they have, fears or concerns about therapy, ideas for how they would like to change (or not change), and plans for what they would like to do next.