10 Common Questions About Holistic Therapy In Los Angeles

3. Do I need to do all the interventions and recommendations from a holistic therapist? 

Absolutely not! When a client says “no” to a recommended intervention, then that means that they are feeling more comfortable practicing and setting boundaries. Therapy is a great place to begin practicing boundary setting skills. And if you forget to do an intervention or simply didn’t want to, I would never be disappointed. I praise that kind of honesty! Remember, it is your healing journey.

4. Does therapy make me feel better or worse? 

Sometimes we go into a session with a crisis, and we come out feeling more prepared or more at ease. Other times, you may come out of a session feeling worse than you did before you came in. This doesn’t mean that the therapy is not working, it just means that sometimes you have to feel worse before you feel better. Some sessions can be heavy, especially if we’re talking about events in your life or feelings that we experience that are hurtful or hard to deal with. If you ever feel too overwhelmed in your therapy session, or recognize that you consistently come out feeling worse rather than empowered, bring this up! I will always respect your boundaries. And speaking up can be hard – so be proud of yourself for doing so!

5. How do I find a holistic therapist in Los Angeles? Or a somatic therapist in Los Angeles? 

 

There are many ways to find a holistic anxiety therapist in Los Angeles. The internet can be a great resource, and so can referrals. If you want a more in-depth look at how to find a holistic therapist or anxiety therapist in Los Angeles, check out this blog post: How to Find a Holistic Therapist in Los Angeles. 

6. Do I have to do sessions weekly or can I go every other week? 

Each provider is different, so you will need to ask this question directly. As far as my approach, I stick to weekly sessions rather than bi-weekly. I find that when sessions are once every two weeks, too much time is spent “catching up” or recapping what has been going on, and not enough time is dedicated to actually doing the work. I find bi-weekly sessions to be more appropriate toward the end of therapy, when you have reached your therapeutic treatment goals and are ready to “graduate.”

7. Is online therapy effective? Does it work for holistic approaches?

It is effective! Before the pandemic, I had never provided a session online. To be fully honest, I was kind of skeptical at first. I worried that so much would be lost, such as the “vibe” throughout the session or nonverbal expressions. However, I quickly learned that online therapy was just as effective as in-person. Don’t get me wrong, there are some incidents and situations where online therapy is not appropriate. If you are suicidal, then online treatment is not the most appropriate treatment approach for you. If you want to learn more about the effectiveness of online treatment, check out this article by Forbes.

8. Does my therapist judge me? 

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard people say that they worry what their therapist thinks of them, or wanting their therapist to like them. The truth is, your counselor should never “judge” you. Although it’s common to feel a little nervous at times sharing such vulnerability with another person, I can 100% assure you that I am not “judging” or thinking less of you.

9. Do I have to stay in therapy for a certain amount of time? Do I have to stay in it forever? 

I’ll begin with the first question: you do not have to stay in therapy forever. Quite the opposite, actually. One of the main purposes and goals of services is to have you develop the tools, insight, and awareness so you can take charge of life on your own. In other words, a goal of therapy is to not be in it forever (despite what Freud may have thought). As far as recommended amount of time, it differs. Solution-focused brief therapy, which focuses on a specific topic or issue, is usually a few months. If you are looking to process some issues in the past, or simply get to know yourself better, then treatment may be longer (i.e. 9+ months). But let me remind you that therapy isn’t just for “mental health issues” or “because there’s something wrong.” It can be used for maintenance and personal growth, as well.

10. Is holistic therapy in Los Angeles actually worth it?

Yes. 100%. Absolutely. After therapy, my clients have reported feeling much “lighter” and more satisfied in their lives. They have also reported having more self-compassion for themselves and others, and having the insight and tools to regulate their emotions and behaviors.