Therapists and mental health professionals are heavily misportrayed in the media and movies. They’re often shown in unrealistic light where most are highly unprofessional, disrespectful of client boundaries, always on call for a crisis, nonconfidential, savers of the day, and sometimes very disturbed human beings. If you’ve never been to therapy, it’s easy to assume that the therapists you’ve seen on TV or read about are who you’ll meet in real life.
If you’re new here, hello! My name is Gabby-Carey Johnson and I’m the founder and lead therapist at Gabby Cares.
Here are a few things I’d like you to know as your therapist before our first few sessions:
Therapists are normal human beings just like you. We’re mere mortals with real-life struggles as well. It’s unfair to place the expectation on your therapist to help you solve all your problems or to instantly provide answers and healing to your mental health issues. We aren’t perfect by any means.
A therapist’s job is to guide you, not to tell you what to do. A huge misconception about therapists is that we feed you information or offer advice. Our work is to listen and help you explore and understand your journey and what’s best for you and also equip you with the right coping skills. We won’t always agree with your thoughts, actions, and behavior but we can offer suggestions for much healthier alternatives.
Your secrets are safe with us. Confidentiality is a key part of a therapist’s code of ethics so you needn’t be afraid of talking about your innermost thoughts, feelings, experiences, traumas, and secrets. No, we won’t go home and discuss it with our family members. Everything stays between us.
I’m sorry, we can’t be friends. No matter how close our relationship becomes with clients over the years, we can’t cross the line over to friendship because then it stops being a professional relationship. Kind as it may be, it’s probably best if you don’t ask your therapist out to lunch or call to check up on them.
Therapy is a partnership between us. We will work together to set goals and treatment plans that are specific to your needs. If you want to make progress, you have to be willing to disclose any information about yourself that will come in handy. You also have to stay consistent with the sessions and be fully committed to the process.
Nothing you say will shock us, we’ve probably heard it all before. Some things can be tough to talk about because you’re afraid the therapist will judge you or treat you indifferently. We offer a safe and non-judgmental space for you to be yourself….the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. And with all our years in practice, we’ve truly seen and heard it all.
It may take a while before you see change or progress. Healing is not a linear process; one day you’re doing great and the next, you’re back to square one. This is all part of the journey. Therapy takes time therefore be patient and compassionate with yourself.
A good therapist does not give up on you no matter how long it takes to see change. Making changes to your thoughts, feelings, and behavior can be difficult and it requires effort and dedication. We will be there to support you fully as you strive towards your goals. Don’t be afraid that we are bored of hearing the same old stories from you.
If it doesn’t work out between us, don’t ghost me. It’s okay to change therapists if you feel like they are not the right fit for you. However, do it mutually instead of not picking up calls or never showing up to therapy again. Give your therapist feedback because it helps improve the sessions and your experience.
You matter to us. You’re not just another client on a spreadsheet. Engaging with you also makes an impact on our lives. We are so proud of you when you make progress or get better. We understand how important and transformative our work is in your life and we take it seriously. We are concerned about your well-being and we’re rooting for you!
Starting therapy is the best decision you can make for yourself this year. We offer a free 15-minute, no-obligation consultation (by phone or Telehealth). We'll discuss your needs and if we're a good fit for you as well as answer any questions you might have about cost, length of treatment, and coordinating services.
We treat these common concerns:
Depression
Anxiety and Phobias
Relationship Difficulties
Life Transitions
Difficulties with Self-Esteem
Eating Issues
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Professional/Career Issues
College/Graduate School Issues
Medical and Health Concerns
Pain Management
Stress Management
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Sexual Abuse
Spirituality
Gender Identity Support
LGBT Counseling
Grief, Loss, or Bereavement
Other Issues
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