Adult Counseling

  Typically we come to counseling because we are having a problem regulating ourselves or we are having difficulty with relationships.  This can often lead to feelings of guilt or shame and the belief that there is something wrong with us.  However, it is not "what's wrong with us", but "what has happened to us".  With this change in perspective, we are able to work together to explore what has happened in the client's life to work through past hurts and trauma.  Many of the counselors at Phoenix Arise offer both talk therapy and trauma therapy (EMDR) services to adults who are struggling with a variety of concerns.  She takes a focused approach at identifying target symptoms and providing client with effective and practical coping skills.   

Talk therapy, is the most traditional modality of therapy that we think of when we think of counseling.  Talk therapy is the process of verbalizing our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and somatic experiences to another person in order to bring clarity to our situation.  In therapy, the counselor provides a supportive, unconditional, understanding environment that allows client's the space to explore themselves and grow.

Talk therapy is beneficial in itself by providing the client with an outlet and reducing the level of internal tension.  It also helps the client develop the ability to look inside, be reflective, and process through their inner experience with more clarity.  Client's often report having more awareness, more inner calm, and more ability to regulate themselves.  

Talk therapy can either be directive or non-directive.  Non-directive talk therapy is client lead.  It allows the client to discuss whatever is coming up in their life or whatever they are experiencing internally.  Directive talk therapy is lead by the therapist and is typically focused on deepening the conversation and exploring underlying issues.  Directive therapy also focuses on specific solutions and skills for the client's presenting problem.  Skill teaching is an example of directive therapy.  

The therapists at Phoenix Arise typically use a combination of non-directive and directive talk therapy techniques.  Therapy typically begins with non-directive exploration of treatment concerns.  The clinician then moves into directive techniques in order to teach clients practical relaxation skills, affective expression skills, and skills for insight.