Who Can I Help as an Marriage and Family Therapist?

People sometimes ask me if I, as an “MFT” (marriage and family therapist) can counsel individuals, too.

In truth at least half of my practice is with individual adults of all ages, as well as children and teens.  

What MFT really refers to is the education and training I have received in the area of relationships.     If you think about it, most of our feelings of anxiety, depression, stress or loss are connected to the people in our lives, past or present.   

If you are having a struggle dealing with your past…it probably involves people.    If you are feeling unworthy, isolated, and hopeless….it probably is about people.     Understanding yourself in the context of your relationships is a first step to unraveling the pieces and changing patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving that aren’t working for you.   No one has to stay stuck forever.

How Often Should I Come for Counseling?

Clients ask, How often should I come for counseling?

Individual Counseling

In most cases, weekly sessions are best for an individual person to maximize their counseling experience.  A week is about the right amount of time to process the information, thoughts and feelings and be ready for more input.

Couples Counseling

For couples, a different frequency might work — such as  every other week — but couples also often do their  best week to week at least initially.   Time, experience and researchhas provided us with this ‘optimum.’  Think also of the timeliness of other activities in your life.

Working out only once a week would prove to be an ineffective exercise program;we know that a minimum of three 30-minute to 1-hour segments of time devoted to serious sweat are needed in you want to see progress.

On the other hand, exercising every day without a rest or working out for too long a stretch can have a negative effect.   There is a happy medium.

Cycles and Rhythm Are Important

Brushing and flossing your teeth?  Gotta be daily – hopefully at least twice.  Your car needs an oil change every 3,500 miles….your general health needs an annual check-up…your dog needs a walk every morning and evening.   Get it?   There’s a cycle and rhythm to life, and therapy is no exception.