FAQ
How did Auburn Counseling get started?
Do I need therapy? I can usually handle my own challenges.
Participating in therapy can help provide guidance, insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Some of those obstacles may be specific to mental health, such as depression or anxiety, while others could be related to transitions, like relationship challenges or work/school stress. Even other difficulties may come from feeling stagnant or stuck and wanting something different. Regardless of the obstacle, therapy is for anyone who is interested in self-improvement and getting the most out of their lives.
What’s the difference between therapy and counseling?
Therapy can refer to things like physical therapy or occupational therapy, but for our purpose, therapy refers to psychotherapy or talk therapy. In that way, counseling is the same as psychotherapy, and it can be professionally conducted by a licensed counselor, licensed social worker, licensed psychologist, or licensed psychiatrist.
How is counseling different than talking to a trusted friend or family member?
The main difference is the training and expertise. From our friends and family, we can get some support, but not therapeutic support, and often we get advice. Direct advice and feedback, while they can be helpful at times, are often biased, judgmental or not applicable to you. A counselor is professionally trained to collaborate with you and identify strategies based on specific evidence-based modalities to support you with your goals. These modalities may include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and more.
What is therapy actually like?
While some people have an idea of talk therapy as “just being heard," our process is an active one. We listen, but more importantly, we collaborate, we strategize, we brainstorm, and we rely on our therapeutic knowledge to bring you closer to your goals.
What am I expected to do in therapy?
The short answer is “show up and be true to yourself.” The more detailed answer is that your therapist will help you identify what may or may not be already working for you and you both will identify strategies on how to adapt your thinking and use specific tools outside of therapy to support you.
How long will it take?
Since we prioritize meeting people where they are and helping them grow to where they want to be, that answer will depend on your own unique situation. People come to therapy for a variety of reasons and a number of factors will play into that decision. Usually, the number of sessions is determined over time by you and your therapist. We do not put a set limit on the number of sessions but rather collaborate with you to decide together when and how to complete therapy.
