OakHeart, Center for Counseling
  • Home
  • Counseling
  • Specialties
    • Depression
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Anxiety Disorders >
      • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (Worry)
      • Social Anxiety Disorder
      • Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia
      • Health Anxiety
      • Specific Phobias
    • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
    • Eating Disorders
    • Grief and Bereavement
    • ADHD
    • Maternal Mental Health
    • Infertility, Miscarriage, and Neonatal Loss
    • Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
    • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) >
      • COVID-19 Related PTSD and Anxiety >
        • COVID-19 Resources
    • Trauma
    • Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI)
    • Substance Use Disorders (SUD)
    • Anger Management
    • Insomnia
    • Divorce Recovery
    • Relationship Concerns and Couples Counseling
    • Self-Esteem
    • Therapy for Therapists
    • LGBTQA+ Support
    • Faith-Based Counseling
  • Providers
    • Erin Mitchell
    • Pamela Heilman
    • Katie Sheehan
    • Hillary Gorin
    • Lee Ann Heathcoat
    • Adam Ginsburg
    • Megan Noren
    • Sarah Williams
    • Christina Bieche
    • Bridgette Koukos
    • Laura Lahay
    • Anna Perkowski
    • Alma Lazaro
    • Leah Arthur
    • Erin Blair
    • Amy Jakobsen
    • Lizzy Lowe
    • Gerry Lawm
    • Melanie Vause
    • Caroline Dress
    • Kevin Hamor
    • Abby Jeske
    • Vanessa Osmer
    • Kat Harris
  • Locations
    • North Aurora Counseling
    • Sycamore Counseling
    • Telehealth Online Counseling
  • Contact
  • Treatments
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
  • Employment
  • FAQ and Notices
  • OakHeart Blog
  • Administrative and Leadership Team
  • Mental Health Resources
  • Divorce Mediation
  • Professional Consultation
Picture

Dear Client...I want you to know

11/11/2018

 
Therapy Letter To Client

Dear Client...I Want You To Know

Written by Dr. Katherine Harris, PhD
Dear Client,

I want you to know how much I respect and admire you for coming to therapy. Finding a therapist, navigating insurance, attending that first appointment can be really hard. Trusting me, being vulnerable, asking for help can be really scary. Being willing and open to making changes is hard...changing any behavior is a challenge. I want you to know that my clients are some of the bravest, most caring, most determined people that I know.

I want you to know that you are not alone. Millions of people suffer from mental health disorders, many of whom suffer in silence. I know it can feel like everyone else has it together, that they are cruising through life, that they’re perfect people. But they aren’t. We simply don’t talk enough with each other about our imperfections, our struggles, our mental health issues. There are so many reasons for this, but one unfortunate consequence is that many end up thinking they are the only ones with depression, with panic attacks, with intense fear of being judged.

I want you to know that you are important and that you matter and your experience matters. I know that you may not feel like you are important. I know it may even make you anxious to hear that. I believe in you, I see you, I hear you. I know the sadness, fear, loneliness, or confusion you feel can be profoundly painful.

I want you to know that sometimes I will frustrate you. That I may not answer your questions looking for advise. That I may not have all the answers or may not give you the answers. That sometimes I’ll do the opposite of what you want because I believe strongly in giving you what you need. I want you to know that I may ask you to face your fears, or make room for strong emotions, or to stop engaging in behaviors that you feel like you want or need to do. I want you to know that I can be patient and support you in your readiness for change. That I will empathize and sit with you in your discomfort or distress. That I will set boundaries and help you to do so as well.

I want you to know that we are partners, a team. That we will work together to identify your values and your goals. I want you to know that there is hope. That there are many treatments that work! That you can enjoy life again. That you don’t have to always be afraid or sad. But that sometimes you may feel afraid and sad and that’s ok too. I want you to know that I’ve seen many clients get better! That they would never have imagined what they were capable of. You can too.

​
I want you to know that I am honored to be a part of this journey with you. That I am grateful for the opportunity to help you, learn from you, and grow with you.

Sincerely,

​A Therapist


Comments are closed.

    OakHeart 
    ​Center for Counseling, Mediation, and Consultation

    ​​

    Picture
    Kat Harris, PhD
    Vanessa Osmer, MA

    Other Blogs

    Grief

    ​Grieving Through the Holidays
    My Experience with Grief
    Helping Someone Who's Grieving
    ​Prolonged Grief Disorder: A New Mental Health Diagnosis

    Anxiety

    The Trap of Overwhelm
    ​Emetophobia: The Vomit Phobia
    Dealing with Political and Societal Uncertainty
    OCD and "Unacceptable" Intrusive Thoughts: You Are Not Alone
    Dynamic Duo: IBS and Anxiety
    Anxiety Planet
    Thinking Errors in Health Anxiety

    Depression

    Managing Seasonal Depression
    ​Behavioral Activation for Depression: What, Why, and How
    5 Tips When You or Someone You Know is Struggling

    Eating Disorders

    Binge Eating Versus Emotional Eating
    3 Tips to Navigating the Holidays When Recovering From an Eating Disorder
    5 Tips for Navigating the Holiday Season When in Recovery From a Restrictive Eating Disorder

    General

    How to Find the Right Therapist for You
    Being Present in the New Year
    Adulting Can Suck, But it Doesn't Have To
    Accomplishing Your Goals This Year
    Dear Client...I Want You To Know
    A 2020 Remote Learning Survival Guide: Practical Tips for Success
    Coping vs. Avoiding
    The Other Side of the Dressing Room: 7 Lessons on Body Image from a Retail Worker’s Perspective
    Let Your Values Be Your GPS
    The Impact of COVID-19: The Challenges and Growth 
    Tips on Being an LGBTQ+ Ally Through Speech
    Now What?: Tips to Support Making Positive Changes with Substance Use​
    Less Listening, More Talking
    The Identity Challenge
    Insomnia: Causes and Recommendations for Treatment
    Dear College Graduates
    Levels of Care in Mental HealthCare

    Self CAre

    Surviving Social Distancing
    Practicing Self-Care
    ​Mindfulness: During The Pandemic and Beyond
    Show Some Compassion! For Yourself!
    Taking It Easy Through The Holidays

    Infertility and POstPartum

    Infertility Awareness
    Helpful Considerations for Infertility Newcomers
    Postpartum/Maternal Mental Health

    RELATIONSHIp concerns

    The "Four Horsemen" In Relationships

    What to Expect In cbt treatment series

    Generalized Anxiety Disorder
    Panic Disorder
    Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Picture
Counseling Phone: 630-570-0050
Fax: 630-570-0045
Email: [email protected]
North Aurora, IL Location
​66 Miller Drive, Suite 105
North Aurora, IL 60542
phone: 630-570-0050
​Sycamore, IL Location
1950 DeKalb Ave, Unit E
Sycamore, IL 60178
phone: 779-201-6440
  • Home
  • Counseling
  • Specialties
    • Depression
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Anxiety Disorders >
      • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (Worry)
      • Social Anxiety Disorder
      • Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia
      • Health Anxiety
      • Specific Phobias
    • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
    • Eating Disorders
    • Grief and Bereavement
    • ADHD
    • Maternal Mental Health
    • Infertility, Miscarriage, and Neonatal Loss
    • Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
    • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) >
      • COVID-19 Related PTSD and Anxiety >
        • COVID-19 Resources
    • Trauma
    • Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI)
    • Substance Use Disorders (SUD)
    • Anger Management
    • Insomnia
    • Divorce Recovery
    • Relationship Concerns and Couples Counseling
    • Self-Esteem
    • Therapy for Therapists
    • LGBTQA+ Support
    • Faith-Based Counseling
  • Providers
    • Erin Mitchell
    • Pamela Heilman
    • Katie Sheehan
    • Hillary Gorin
    • Lee Ann Heathcoat
    • Adam Ginsburg
    • Megan Noren
    • Sarah Williams
    • Christina Bieche
    • Bridgette Koukos
    • Laura Lahay
    • Anna Perkowski
    • Alma Lazaro
    • Leah Arthur
    • Erin Blair
    • Amy Jakobsen
    • Lizzy Lowe
    • Gerry Lawm
    • Melanie Vause
    • Caroline Dress
    • Kevin Hamor
    • Abby Jeske
    • Vanessa Osmer
    • Kat Harris
  • Locations
    • North Aurora Counseling
    • Sycamore Counseling
    • Telehealth Online Counseling
  • Contact
  • Treatments
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
  • Employment
  • FAQ and Notices
  • OakHeart Blog
  • Administrative and Leadership Team
  • Mental Health Resources
  • Divorce Mediation
  • Professional Consultation