New Client

Deciding to begin counseling with a psychologist is an important and life affirming decision. For some people, beginning therapy can be a relief. For others it may be uncomfortable and people may find it hard to open up to someone new and talk about painful subjects. I feel privileged to work with people who are willing to reveal who they really are in order to help themselves grow and change. It is through the process of self-discovery, reflection, and willingness to make changes that we are able to move closer to becoming our authentic selves.

I believe that therapy works best when it is a collaborative endeavor between you and your psychologist. To gain an understanding of the nature of the concerns that brought you to therapy, I will first ask you a series of questions about the problem or symptoms you are experiencing such as when the problem started, when it is most problematic, and what has been helpful in managing it. Information about your family background, present circumstances, and current relationships may also be helpful. I find that a good information-gathering conversation can also be helpful to the client in assisting them gain insight into their problem/situation. I then work with my client to create a strategy to make changes and minimize the influence of the problem in their life. For some people, creating change arises naturally after gaining insight and understanding into the problem. For other people, the problem necessitates the creation of meaningful change across several life domains. Change can be difficult, so the speed at which change takes place will be up to you.  This short video offers a useful explanation about psychotherapy and how it works.

If you are interested in working with me, please contact me by email to arrange for a short intake phone interview. This phone interview is an opportunity for me to assess whether I can be of help to you, and for you to ask questions and get a sense of who I am.   Once we have determined that we will work together, we will book our first therapy session. I will send you some forms for you to complete and bring with you to your first session.

Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page for more information.

You can contact me by email (CarolynClaire@protonmail.com).