client experience – BUCK BLACK THERAPY

Therapy Can Change Your Life

We all have something in our life that we want to change. If someone says there is nothing to change, this should be a problem in and of itself. How do people create change in their lives? Altering thoughts, modifying behaviors, setting goals, and creating/maintaining relationships are all great catalysts. Therapy is a way to help facilitate these behaviors. My goal as a therapist is to help hold you accountable on the changes you wish to make. I do this by asking about your goals and how you are coming along. I also help with creating ideas that will add…

Clinical Psychotherapy

I often hear people saying that they do not want to have a clinical experience with therapy. I am told that people of think of a sterile room with a cold therapist who only says “how does that make you feel?” Another thought is that therapy is a procedure. The client sits there and is changed…much as the idea of how a car is dropped off at a mechanic. Again, this is not true. Then what is therapy? First of all, the client is in charge. It is important to focus on what the client feels will be helpful. Yes,…

“I Don’t Believe in Counseling”

I sometimes hear people say, “I don’t believe in counseling.” I can’t completely understand this statement. Essentially, counseling consists of talking about problems and finding a better way to work through them. It is also designed to help you to find ways to improve yourself and is not always problem focused. Self improvement can be quite amazing! What is there to “not believe in?” The person does not believe in talking? Or suggestions or changing ways of thinking and behaving? If a person says they do not believe in medications, I can somewhat understand that, but depending on the situations,…

Shall I Begin Psychiatry or Counseling?

While often misidentified as the same, psychiatry and counseling are actually quite different. To begin, let me try and differentiate psychiatry from counseling. Counseling is traditionally focused on the practice of "talk therapy," or “psychotherapy.” That is, the process of working through problem/life issues by talking them through with a professional counselor. Such a professional will help clients to process their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, and will help clients to build strategies for improving their moods, lives and relationships. Psychiatry (with some exceptions) is generally focused on helping individuals to overcome specific problem issues with medication. Medication in Psychiatry Treatment…

What to Expect from Counseling

Many people are afraid to come to a counseling session because they find it too intimidating. I can't blame them. Heck, I find it difficult to go to the doctor when I am feeling sick and can't go to work. So, it is a new experience and often provokes some natural anxiety. Your first session is the hardest and it gets easier from there! Here are some of the questions I've been asked: * Am I any less of a man for coming to counseling? No. If counseling weren't manly, I wouldn't be doing it! I'll tell you that its…

Is Counseling or Therapy Right for Me?

Counseling or Therapy in Lafayette Indiana is about working though life's problems. You might be thinking that you can handle all of these problems yourself. Well, most of us need someone to bounce ideas off of. This is even more helpful when that person is someone who is impartial, outside of the situation, and does not have an emotional investment in you. If you rely on friends, they will likely not tell you how it is because of fear that they will offend you! So, you might be wondering if you have to be mentally ill in order to go…

Medication vs. Counseling

There is seldom a day that goes past where I don't have a client who comes to me with a great concern that their medications are not working. Often, when I ask what they are doing for themselves, they develop a rather puzzled look on their face. Most of the time, they say that they just wait for the medication to take effect. More and more, society is putting focus on medications while ignoring how people can change their mood and overall health with a few behavior changes. It is very easy to blame a chemical imbalance in the brain…

Family Therapy

Depending on the situation, family therapy is often one of the more helpful options. Think about this: We are all impacted by those around us. This means that we are all part of a system. If one person goes to therapy and changes, but the other family members (system) do not change, then how can we expect lasting results? I encourage all of my clients to bring friends and family members to therapy. This will help to improve the environment for all. This also provides an opportunity for another person's opinion and perspective to be brought into the room, which…

Nerves and First Visit

A lot of people are very nervous about their first visit to a therapist. Whether this is their first time in therapy or if this is the first visit to a new therapist, it can be very nerve-racking! It may take some pressure off to realize that a first visit is a time for both client and therapist to get to know one another. There are no obligations at this point to have further sessions. If you like the therapist, then you can schedule a another appointment. If you do not care for the therapist, then you can let the…

Mental Health vs. Mental Illness

We hear so much about Mental Illness on a regular basis. That is one of those terms that is frequently thrown around. Actually, I don't care for the term at all. Who wants to be told they have a Mental Illness? I doubt many do. I come from the perspective of Mental Health. Instead of concentrating on illness or problems, I help my clients focus on the positives. Just think, if a therapist focuses on the symptoms of Mental Illness, most of the time and energy is spent discussing the problem, which is demotivating. When the focus is on Mental…