Our counselors provide therapy in Winston-Salem, NC

My go-to approach for helping people in individual therapy is often dialectical behavioral therapy. I prefer DBT for helping people find healthy perspectives and freedom in not honing in on distress, but moving around the struggle. Dialectics, which is a key part of DBT, is the art of investigating or discussing the truth of options. “Dialectical” means that two things can be true at the same time, even opposing things. An example of this is, “It is raining and it is sunny outside,” or “I love you and I am taking a break from you at this time.” The practice of dialectics in DBT often helps people to find acceptance and move forward in a positive way.

I enjoy teaching dialectics, mindfulness skills, body scanning, breath work, and the like.

I know when a client is making meaningful progress when I can see perspective shifting, mood stability, and positive feedback, for instance when a client says, “Hey, I feel like I notice I am feeling better.” Often, clients will tell me they are noticing positive changes in themselves, and that is most meaningful to me when I see a client acknowledging this for themselves and saying it out loud.

Clients can supplement their time in individual therapy by being ready and willing to implement suggested therapeutic strategies. Often, I will assign skills or practice work to my clients to practice outside of therapy sessions. Progress is often made when clients regularly practice newly introduced skills and will often report improvements.

To prepare for your first individual therapy session, you can be sure to acknowledge that you are taking a wonderful first step towards investing in yourself and your healing. Second, come to therapy as your most honest and authentic self. Third, do not settle for a therapist that you do not feel comfortable with. It is super important to be comfortable and feel like you can connect with your therapist. Do not try to fit a therapist that does not match your needs. Finding a therapist is like finding a comfortable pair of shoes: you may have to try on a few pairs before it feels just right. You will know when you have made the right choice, as it will feel comfortable.