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Therapists answer…

What is therapy like? What does a typical session with you look like?

Jessica BrownJ

Jessica Brown

Psychologist (PhD, CP)
Online & In-Person
What do therapy sessions with you look like?
I'd like to think that I'm a pretty chill person and most everyone seems to really open up around me. It's hard to describe what a typical session looks like because no session is truly typical. Each patient has their own way of thinking, their own struggles that they bring to the table, and they click with me in different ways. Their sessions may be with me, but they are ultimately for them. When I first meet with a patient, I want to get a feel for them in a similar way to how I'd try to get to know a potential new friend. I want my patient to feel as comfortable as possible and to share with me whatever they feel comfortable with sharing during that first meeting. There is absolutely no obligation for a patient to share every single issue they're struggling with during that first session. Instead, I will work with them to try to identify what problems are important to them in that moment and that can serve as our starting point. After all, we may not always know every issue that we're dealing with. Sometimes we discover that what we thought was our issue is actually the symptom of something else. This is a journey of discovery for both of us, and each session is a waypoint along the road.
After having served as a counselor while in the military, I later pursued a PhD in Psychology so that I could help meet the growing demand for available and affordable mental healthcare in this area, especially for those who are part of marginalized groups (such as the LGBTQ+ community) and cannot find safe and affirming people to talk to. While I have my particular specialties, I am more than happy to talk to anyone who is in need of psychological counseling, therapy, evaluations, and support. I'm very knowledgeable with the topics of depression, anxiety, gender dysphoria, ADHD, PTSD, autism, sexuality, and more. I try to make patients feel as comfortable and validated as possible.
Allyson ColeA

Allyson Cole

Licensed Psychologist
Online & In-Person
What do therapy sessions with you look like?
The purpose of therapy is to have a greater understanding of who you are now to help you move closer to the person you want to be. We use the LifeMap Model which is informed by Psychodynamic theory (where mental habits, feelings, motives and behaviors influenced by past experience are brought under conscious control to make decisions more in alignment with your true self). The Map is your treatment plan translated from clinical terms to language that better represents the work we do.
I help women and men overcome anxiety, depression, loss, and relational difficulties. I specialize in empowering women by developing their self-worth and confidence through individual therapy, group therapy, and specialized retreats. My approach is an integration of psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral modalities, which means I will explore the way you experienced the world from birth until present in order to identify habits and behaviors that have become roadblocks to living in alignment with the person you want to be. I utilize LifeMaps, a collaborative treatment plan where you can track progress and see your therapy notes. I am a Licensed Psychologist and the CEO of Create Outcomes and have over 20 years of experience helping people of all ages from a variety of backgrounds. I have also supervised other clinicians for over 10 years. I co-host What It Takes To Heal, a podcast that aims to demystify the therapeutic process and details what successful therapy looks like. I've served as a director in a variety of clinical settings, including inpatient facilities, outpatient clinics, non-profit organizations, and in juvenile justice programs. The C.R.E.A.T.E. Outcomes model was informed by this work as a way to provide care that is self aware and aligned with the client's values, while also systematically tracking progress.
Val WarneV

Val Warne

Therapist
Online Therapy
What do therapy sessions with you look like?
Therapy sessions are 55 minutes and the frequency of sessions will be based on your specific needs and goals.   Our initial session will be focused on a comprehensive review of your medical, family and social history to give me a better understanding of how I can best help you. We will work together to develop goals and a plan for how best to make positive change moving forward. Therapy is about you.  My goal is to create a safe, non-judgmental space for you to openly share whatever is bringing you to take this step so that we can actively work together to address these issues and get you to a better place.
My name is Val Warne.  I live in Northern Michigan, am married and have 2 grown daughters.  I love the outdoors, nature and the slower pace of life this area offers. I have been a therapist for over 30 years and have worked in both the public and private sector.  I spent 10 years working with teens transitioning from high school to college, trade school or the work force and 18 years with the VA where I worked with disabled veterans transitioning back to civilian life and employment.  I also worked for several years in a private, out patient, rehabilitation facility that focused on closed head injury. I have had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of populations over the years and have developed a broad and diverse range of skill sets as a result.  I am vested and committed to helping you in your journey to healing.
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