What to Expect in Therapy

What to Expect in Therapy and Therapy With Me

Written by Kevin Hamor, PsyD

The Why People Participate in Therapy 

Therapy can be difficult, upsetting, fun, confusing, sad, overwhelming, empowering, and everything in between. Arguably, no matter if this is your first time participating in therapy or your twentieth, each therapeutic experience will feel different. Sometimes, someone is looking for help processing a loss of a person, pet, or opportunity, while others are seeking support in understanding more about themselves, their thoughts, and emotions. There is also no rulebook for why anyone would want to go to therapy. The journey of therapy is extremely personal and it is one of the few times you can be selfish without negative judgment or consequences.

The Benefits of Participating in Therapy 

As mentioned before, there are many reasons as to why someone chooses to come to therapy, but oftentimes, the benefits of therapy are not always as openly discussed. While I do not want to blindly say that therapy will cure all, I do believe it can help you live a more zestful and authentic life. Many times in our lives there are moments in which we wish we could openly “think out loud” without any of the negative consequences like offending a loved one with something we said or did.

Therapy is a non-judgmental space in which you may be challenged to grow emotionally but you will be supported, validated, and provided safety throughout the process. The relationship between a therapist and client is unlike any other relationship because very rarely do we have relationships where we can always be the center of the conversation. Ultimately, you will learn to better understand your thoughts and emotions and develop ways to better manage stress and to face your problems. Another benefit of participating in therapy is that, through the process of understanding yourself more, you can also have healthier relationships in your life by learning how to set boundaries, advocate for your needs, and better articulate your thoughts and feelings to others. 

Participating in Therapy with Me 

It is my hope that working with me through therapy will be restorative, healing, and empowering as you begin to remind yourself of your own strength. I utilize several modalities with a stronger emphasis on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Emotion Focused Therapy (CFT). I believe no one approach is best, and encourage all of my clients to actively participate and advocate for their needs in therapy to truly individualize my treatment approach and your participation in treatment.

I also emphasize the importance of self-compassion and self-care. I often believe these are two sides of the same coin because to engage in self-care is to be compassionate to yourself. Most people have been taught to be kind to others, put others before themselves, and to make others feel important and listened to, but rarely are we ever encouraged to do that for ourselves. Dr. Kristin Neff (2025) defines self-compassion on her website as, “...simply the process of turning compassion inward. We’re kind and understanding rather than harshly self-critical when we fail, make mistakes, or feel inadequate. We give ourselves support and encouragement rather than being cold or judgmental when challenges and difficulties arise in our lives” (Neff, 2025). I encourage all of my clients to redefine and reimagine what a world could look like where they have boundaries, they prioritize themselves, and they feel in control of their lives. 

Concerns I treat in Therapy 

While broad, I treat mental health concerns ranging from depression, anxiety, relationship/interpersonal communication concerns, to complex trauma, LGBTQIA+ support, obsessive-compulsive disorder , attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and life transitions to name a few. Regardless of what brings you to therapy, you will find a supportive and healing experience to improve your mood and quality of life. 

References

Neff, S. (2025). Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff: Join the Community Now. https://self-compassion.org/

​If you are interested in counseling with Dr. Hamor or any other clinician at OakHeart, call OakHeart at 630-570-0050 or 779-201-6440 or email us at [email protected]. We have counselors, psychologists, and social workers available to help you at one of our locations in North Aurora, IL, Sycamore, IL, and/or via Telehealth Online Therapy Services serving Kane County, DeKalb County, Dupage County, and beyond.