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Therapists answer…

For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?

Anahita ShahbaziA

Anahita Shahbazi

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Online Therapy
For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?
For those hesitant to try therapy, I want to emphasize that seeking help is a courageous and empowering step towards healing. Therapy is a collaborative process where you are not alone; it’s a safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings at your own pace. Healing often begins with acknowledging and embracing our pain, just as the rose emerges from the thorn. Through therapy, you can gain insights, develop healthier coping strategies, and find the support you need to navigate life’s challenges. Your well-being is worth the investment in yourself.
"The purpose of life is to discover our own inherent nobility and to help others discover theirs." – Abdu'l-Bahá. My journey to becoming a therapist began with my own experience of managing mental health from a young age. This personal journey highlighted the profound power of therapy and inspired me to help others achieve similar transformations. Therapy, to me, is more than a profession—it’s my calling. Every step I take alongside my clients reaffirms the transformative power of hope, healing, and the therapeutic relationships. I have extensive experience and training in treating depression, anxiety disorders, other mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, trauma/PTSD, relationship issues, grief, and life transitions. Healing isn’t about avoiding pain; it’s about feeling safe enough to face it, embrace it, and grow from it. Much like a rose blooms despite the thorns, I believe in your ability to rise through challenges and thrive. Together, we’ll create a supportive space where you can explore, build resilience, and move confidently toward the life you envision.
Kathleen O'ConnorK

Kathleen O'Connor

Therapist - LCPC, LMHC, CEDS
Online Therapy
For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?
Give it a chance! Therapy can be daunting because there's no right or wrong answer, and it can be difficult to define what we can expect. All I ask is to show up as you, as best you can, and we'll figure it out from there.
Like many therapist profiles, this page could list my degrees and credentials, provide a vague description of what clients I work with, and be distant but warm; however, that is not how I work with clients or how I am in the world. I want this page to help you decide if we’ll work well together, not just list the things I’ve done. What you probably want to know is 1) do I know what I’m doing and 2) are we a good fit in working together. I have been working in the mental health field, specifically with eating disorders, since 2014 in a variety of capacities including inpatient, residential, and crisis stabilization programs. I am passionate about eating disorder recovery and collaborating with patients to find balance in their lives. I am body-positive and Health at Every Size (HAES) aligned. I have experience in working with families, couples, and individuals in addition to facilitating group therapy. My primary focus lies in helping to support clients and their loved ones in understanding and moving forward in the path to recovery through individual and family therapy. I have earned the distinction of being a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) by the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals, and have been an officeholder for the Heartland chapter of iaedp since 2019 and remained committed to pursuing ongoing education within the field. There are so many people who hesitate to come to therapy or to move forward in eating disorder recovery due to having been previously unsuccessful with a “one size fits all” approach. I work with you to figure it out. I’m not a smile-and-nod, sit in silence type of therapist. I'll call you out on your BS, but I can do that in a way where we can both laugh. I'm not afraid to talk about anything you need to talk about. Intrusive thoughts? Feeling like you’re the only person to feel this way? You’d be surprised to find that you’re not alone. Therapy will provide a safe space to be yourself and a supportive environment to help meet you where you’re at and work towards creating lasting change in your life.