Sharon Miller

LCSW

Therapy is not like they show it happens in the movies. It's not this great "AHA" moment where everything falls into place and is "fixed" at once; rather, it is more of a series of small "Ahhh" moments, which open clarity and help the client see things differently. Therapy is not going to go where YOU don't want to go - remember, YOU are driving the bus - if you don't bring it up and talk about it, then it won't get addressed. Therapy doesn't "fix" you - you're not broken! Therapy helps you understand HOW you experience the world in YOUR way - and helps you understand a better way to navigate through the world more comfortably.

There are several barriers, but a huge barrier is being able to access services. Telehealth has certainly opened up the opportunity for many to seek counseling services when they could not receive services before, either due to location or lack of availability of providers in their areas. Schedules also have a way of making mental health care "take a back seat" in a client's life, as people are now busier than ever, it seems. Telehealth allows a new flexibility to scheduling for appointments.

Goal-setting is a collaborative approach. A therapist and the client have to work together to set reasonable goals, or the goals will not be successful. My role as a therapist is to guide my client to develop goals which can be achieved; because "you are your own best expert". Setting goals are important because they help you remain accountable for the things you want to achieve. Identifying what you want to work on, and identifying the steps which need to be taken to reach a successful outcome, checking in on those steps to see how you're doing with them, is the key to success. therapy goals can be fluid and are not rules, they need to be flexible and changed, if necessary, to have a successful outcome.