A lot of people picture counseling from TV: someone lying on a couch while a quiet stranger takes notes. It's not really like that. With me, it's two people in chairs, or on a video call, having a real conversation about something that matters to you.

Here's what it usually looks like.

Before the first session

Most people start with a free 15-minute call. You can tell me a little about what's going on, ask questions, and get a sense of whether I seem like a good fit. If we decide to start, I'll send you some paperwork to fill out ahead of time, so we don't spend the session on forms.

The first session

The first session is mostly a conversation. I'll ask what brought you in, what's been hard, and what you'd like to be different. The American Psychological Association describes this first meeting as a chance for your counselor to understand your situation, including things like your sleep, appetite, the people around you, and any medications you take.

You don't need to prepare anything, and you don't need to tell your whole story at once. If something is too painful to talk about yet, you can say "I'm not ready for that." You set the pace.

We'll also go over the practical side: how sessions work, how to reach me, and what stays private. Counseling is confidential, with a few exceptions I'll explain, like if someone's safety is at risk.

The sessions after that

After the first session or two, we'll decide together what to focus on. That might be grief, low mood, anxiety, conflict in a relationship or in the family, or a hard change. We set the goals together.

Each week we look at the patterns that keep you stuck, like the thoughts that spiral at night or the argument that keeps repeating, and try practical skills you can use between sessions. I use approaches like CBT and TF-CBT, explained in plain words. Sometimes I'll suggest something to try during the week. If it doesn't happen, that's fine. We talk about it.

Some weeks you'll come in with something specific. Other weeks you won't know where to start, and that's okay too.

What it feels like

Counseling isn't always comfortable. Sometimes talking about something hard stirs it up before it settles. The APA notes that feeling more emotional for a while can be part of doing hard work. It doesn't always mean therapy isn't working.

It should feel like you're being listened to without judgment, and that you're working on this together. The APA points out that the relationship between you and your counselor is one of the most important parts of what makes therapy helpful. If it doesn't feel like a good fit, please tell me. I won't be offended.

How long it lasts

There's no set number of sessions. Some people come for a few weeks to work on one thing. Others come longer. We'll check in along the way about how it's going and whether you want to keep going, slow down, or stop. Counseling isn't a lifelong commitment.

Who I see

For individual counseling, I see teens of any age, college students, and adults, in English or Spanish. You can meet in person at my office in Siloam Springs, AR, or online by video from anywhere in Arkansas. Every session is $89 for 50 minutes, and I can give you a superbill if you'd like to ask your insurance about reimbursement.