One of the most common things I hear on a consultation call is some version of "I don't know if this is bad enough for therapy." Nothing has fallen apart. You're working, showing up, answering emails. And yet something feels off.
Therapy isn't only for crisis
Waiting until things are unbearable is a bit like waiting for a tooth to abscess before seeing a dentist. Therapy is just as useful when you're functional and quietly exhausted as it is when everything is on fire.
Signs it might be time
- The same argument, the same relationship dynamic, or the same job frustration keeps repeating.
- You feel numb, flat, or disconnected from things that used to matter.
- Your body is holding it: tight jaw, poor sleep, stomach issues, constant low-grade tension.
- You're managing everyone else's feelings and have no idea what you feel.
- Something from your past keeps intruding on your present.
- You've read the books and listened to the podcasts and still feel stuck.
What the first few sessions look like
The first session is mostly information gathering: what brings you in, what your history looks like, what you want to be different. From there we build a shared map, then choose the tools that fit, often EMDR, parts work and somatic strategies, at a pace that keeps you steady.
How to choose a therapist
Fit matters more than any single credential. Look for someone licensed in your state who has real experience with what you're bringing, and pay attention to how you feel on the consultation call. Feeling slightly nervous is normal. Feeling judged is not.
Starting is the smallest step
A free 15-minute consultation is not a commitment. It's a conversation to see whether this is the right place to do the work.