a self-discovering journey

It is often, in a vulnerable state, that one begins to look for a therapist. Finding a therapist is about finding the right match. It is not easy to ask for help, therefore often people shy away from asking for help when in emotional and psychological pain. Perhaps there are feelings of shame underlying the recognition of one’s vulnerability. But in essence, these are the times that important and life-altering changes can occur.

Throughout the 30 + years of practice in the field of mental health, I have worked with a wide range of emotional/psychological objectives, including relationship/attachment tribulations, life transitions, substance abuse, adjustment issues, crisis intervention, identity exploration. Through this time I have also had the privilege of working extensively with adults who were traumatized as children. I am quite familiar with the dynamics that individuals are prone to develop as a result of childhood trauma, abuse & neglect. I work with learning new coping skills. The survival skills that we so acquired as children, are often obsolete as adults and need to be replaced with newer more effective ones.

The safety of the therapeutic dyad should provide an opportunity for the invaluable process of change through experience.

In my opinion, a good therapist, given that they possesse all the appropriate educational and legal credentials, is one who is ethical, follows the guidelines of their professional ethics, and is always cognizant of the courage it takes for anyone to seek help.

When seeking a therapist it’s best to ask questions about anything that comes to mind. You are hoping to invite them into your world so that they can walk with you through a self-discovering journey with care and respect.

Psychotherapy can be quite effective, and life-changing when both the client and the therapist collaborate to achieve an agreed-upon goal.

Monica Farassat, Marriage & Family Therapy, Incorporated