This is a personal decision that will depend on various factors. You may to reflect on some of the following questions:

• Are you experiencing emotional distress, struggling with mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression, or facing challenges in your relationships, work, or daily life?
• Are you curious about yourself, have a desire to gain self-awareness, and wish to explore your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to build on your personal growth and self-discovery journey?
• Are you seeking practical coping strategies, stress management techniques, or problem-solving skills to navigate challenges?
• Are you going through significant life transitions (e.g., job changes, relationship changes, loss, relocation, etc.) and seeking support to process and adjust to these changes?
• Are you looking to enhance your communication skills, work on relationship dynamics, or resolve conflicts to improve interpersonal connections?

During the first session, the therapist will:

• Introduce themselves and provide an overview of the therapy process,
• Ask you to complete initial paperwork and to discuss details related to limits of confidentiality and consent (for more information, click here to refer to Limits to Confidentiality in Resources > Important Information about Therapy),
• Aim to create a comfortable and trusting environment with you to help you feel more at ease and establish a therapeutic connection (trust and rapport are essential in therapy!),
• Invite you to share your reasons for seeking therapy,
• Inquire about your personal history (such as relevant family dynamics, relationships, educational background, work history, and other significant life events you feel are relevant to your therapy),
• Share the theoretical orientation they utilize and how it can be used to address your concerns,
• Encourage you to ask any questions or express concerns you may have, and
• Work with you to discuss your goals for therapy and set a foundation for future sessions.

An individual therapy session is generally 50 minutes. However, this time may vary based on the practitioner and the services offered.

At Mizu Psychotherapy, your therapist offers therapy in 30 minute or 50 minute blocks.

Absolutely not! Therapy is a conversation. It is broad and dynamic giving any individual, regardless of age, race, gender, background, etc., the opportunity to talk about and explore concerns they may be experiencing.

Yes – Therapy is all about you and your goals. At Mizu Psychotherapy, trust and transparency is key. Your thoughts about your goals are important so we will always work together to refine or adjust them based on your evolving needs.

No – Confidentiality is fundamental to therapy and your privacy is protected by law. There are, however, some legal and ethical exceptions to confidentiality, such as situations involving harm to the self or others (click here to refer to Important Information about Therapy).