Starting Therapy

Our offices are located off of 410 and Babcock, close to Medical Center and within a block of bus stops on the 410E Frontage Road. We are located in the Brass Professional Center, at the corner of Woodcock and S. Piedras Drive in the Goliad Building. Our office hours are Monday – Thursday from 9am – 8pm, and Friday – Saturday from 9am – 4pm.

There are many reasons persons seek the support of therapy, ranging from anxiety or depression, to difficulties in creating and sustaining stable and nurturing bonds with others, to fears of expressing themselves authentically or trusting others. Some seek the assistance of psychotherapy to understand anger or conflicts with family members, spouses or other persons with whom they are engaged romantically, collegially or as friends; or lingering influences from their early lives that affected them adversely. Others seek the help of therapy to develop new ways of responding to circumstances that have been habitually problematic, to develop more capacity for intimacy or to experience more joy and contentment in their lives. Sometimes a particular experience, such as a separation, divorce or a turbulent disagreement, or a milestone, such as marrying or becoming a parent, may also precipitate a decision to seek counseling; at other times a long-standing and vague sense of feeling lost, confused and disengaged from others drives the desire to seek a professional. The reasons as are vast and as varied as people themselves, but most persons share a desire for a more gratifying experience of their lives.

Therapy has been proven to be as effective as medication in helping to relieve the symptoms of depression and anxiety. It has also been shown to be useful in assisting persons to (1) develop more psychological awareness and insight, (2) learn to communicate more effectively, (3) learn to resolve both internal and interpersonal conflicts, (4) manage, reduce or relieve symptoms of emotional distress, (5) develop more social, relational or vocational functioning, (6) pursue personal growth and development and (7) reconstruct their lives in the aftermath of trauma and abuse.

Medication can often be helpful in supporting a person to feel a greater sense of well-being. If you are suffering from persistent or debilitating depression, anxiety, or other troubling symptoms, you may be interested in discussing the benefits of medication with your therapist. If you are interested in exploring this option, your therapist will either refer you to a psychiatrist for a consultation, or help you in obtaining a referral through other means. If you wish to consider other methods of symptom management, such as the use of alternative remedies available through non-medical sources like homeopathy, they may also have recommendations or referrals.

Most sessions are weekly and 50 minutes in length, however your therapist may suggest meeting longer or more frequently depending on your needs and goals. Sessions with couples are often scheduled for 60 to 75 minutes by some therapists. Please discuss your therapist’s approach to session frequency and length during your first session.

The length of therapy is dependent on many factors, including your goals, how frequently and consistently you attend sessions, your level of motivation for change, and the type of concerns or issues you are addressing in therapy. In general, recent situational stresses or problems can be addressed in fewer sessions than longer-standing issues, or situations involving trauma or abuse. Of course, therapy is a collaborative process, and we encourage you to share your preferences with your therapist. Even longer-term goals can be pursued in “chapters” if you prefer.

Your active participation and dedication is crucial to your success. To derive the most from therapy, attend your sessions regularly. If you are struggling with excessive alcohol or drug consumption, it is generally recommended that you abstain from substance use at least 24 hours before your sessions.