Our counselors provide therapy in Virginia Beach, VA

Rachel : Get to know them, and get to know their strengths. Build on those strengths! My clients amaze me constantly. They are smart, resourceful, and more capable than they can usually acknowledge. I want to shine the light on those parts of them that will help them work through and manage, heal, and transform what isn't working.

Gwendolyn: My go-to approach for helping people in individual therapy is CBT. I find that CBT allows you to have a one-on-one treatment allowing one to set personal goals, process past situations, learn about triggers, relapse/relapse prevention, and manage symptoms.

Rachel : I teach clients to be aware of their values and how those values drive them — or if they aren't living by those values, how that may bring distress. I also teach them core values of connection, individual meaning, and purpose as a foundation upon which to build everything else.

Gwendolyn: I teach the following tools in individual therapy:

• Grief and loss, how to process the death of a person(s)
• Career planning
• Resolving job conflict
• Communication styles
• Building self-esteem and self-awareness
• Recognizing and changing certain behaviors to improve/increase optimal living

Rachel : I know a client is making progress in therapy when they start having those “aha!” moments — making connections in and outside of therapy. I also know progress is happening when they are able to make sense of their pain and maybe even give it a purpose.

Gwendolyn: I know a client is making meaningful progress in individual therapy through self-report and when the client's goals are obtained.

Rachel : Clients can supplement individual therapy in two specific ways: first, by educating themselves through books, podcasts, or videos in regards to their particular challenges, how they originated, and how others have overcome similar challenges, and second, by focusing daily on “baby steps” — ask yourself, “How can I make a tiny bit of progress just for today?” and ask yourself that every day.

Gwendolyn: Clients can supplement their time in individual therapy by implementing learned tools from sessions, journaling to see their progress, and mindfulness training.

Rachel : To prepare for your first session, come as you are. It's not a performance or a place where you will be judged. Just bring yourself, and your problems. On that note, sometimes just starting therapy can feel like such a relief that you might momentarily feel “fixed.” Be aware of that and enjoy the feeling, but don't allow it to make a decision for you.

Gwendolyn: To prepare for your first individual therapy session, you can set realistic goals/objectives, choosing a secure place for therapy.