The following are a sample of some of the questions prospective clients often ask, or consider, before entering psychotherapy with me.
 

What type of psychotherapy do you practice?  I believe  psychotherapy is a professional relationship in which someone can learn why they think, feel, and act the way they do.  However, gaining insight and new information is often insufficient to provide lasting change or healing.  How many times have we all gained new knowledge (e.g. reading a  great new book or listening to a sermon) only later to feel the same old pain, get stuck in the same old cycle, or have the same argument.   This is seldom because you are not trying, thinking, working, or praying  hard enough.  I believe it is because we learn the deepest truths about  life, and the way it works, in our relationships.  Therefore, a key component to the type of psychotherapy I practice is to provide clients  with a relationship in which they can explore those deeper truths and  change how they are impacting their life.  
 

Are you a Christian counselor?  The issue of the role of  Christianity and how it should, or should not, apply to psychotherapy has generated a ton of debate from people who are much smarter than me.   Let me give you my simple answer.  I am a Christian, and my desire is that my faith impact all of who I am and how I try to live my life, be  it therapy, parenting, or fishing.
 

What if I am not a Christian or do not want to discuss Christian issues?   I am perfectly fine with this if you are.  Truth be told, many of my  clients are from a Christian tradition and are coming to me because I  share their basic values.  However, this is not a requirement for therapy with me. 
 

How long will therapy take?  Because each person's issues and  reasons for coming are quite different, the length of treatment is also  unique to each client.  I realize that psychotherapy is a huge  investment of time and money.  Please know that I am not trying to sell  you anything.  I want to work with you as long as you find therapy beneficial to your life.  Some of my clients come in to address specific issues and end therapy once those issues are resolved.  On the other  hand some of my clients continue to see me well beyond these initial  issues, finding that the ongoing therapeutic relationship provides benefits in much the same way as repeated visits with a personal trainer or a golf pro. 
 

How often do I need to come?  I have found that I do my best work  with people when therapy is an active, consistent, and meaningful aspect of their life.  To that end, I suggest our initial meetings begin as weekly, or at the least every other week.  If this schedule does not fit your lifestyle or budget, I might not be the best fit for you as a  psychologist.  If that is the case I will be happy to refer you to  another clinician that might better serve your needs.
 

Does my spouse need to come with me?  If you are coming for  marital/couples therapy, yes.  I believe relational issues are best  addressed when both parties are present.  If you are coming for individual therapy, then no. 
 

What if my spouse can't or won't come?  I am reluctant to begin  marital/couples therapy when one spouse is not present.  If your spouse  refuses to come to therapy and you would like to address your individual  needs within your marriage, I would love to pursue individual therapy  with you.
 

Did you become a psychologist to fix yourself?  Absolutely!!   Having been in individual and marital therapy myself, I have found those  experiences have had a profound impact with my work with clients. When I  engage in a therapeutic relationship with someone, I am speaking  personally as well as professionally.  I absolutely believe in this  process.