.png)
Sue Brekka, M.A., MFT #45546
General Clinical Psychotherapist / Eating Disorder Specialist
Welcome
Welcome
Thanks for checking out my website. Interviewing therapists can be a frightening and frustrating process. So, this site is here to answer some of your questions and give you a sense of how we would work together.
My goal is to provide a safe place where all of your feelings are welcome. Together we will work through uncovering the unconscious processes that may be keeping you stuck in the same patterns year after year. Once we figure out how you got to where you are now, then we can work together to help you get "unstuck" and use what you've learned in therapy to create a more
fulfilling life.
You may be wondering why I chose the Orchid for my logo? A neglected orchid may survive, but it will not bloom. In order to bloom, it needs consistent nurturing with just the right balance of food, water and temperature. So too, as human beings, we can survive despite a lot of neglect. But we cannot thrive and bloom unless we consistently nurture ourselves physically, emotionally, spiritually and in relation to one another.
Consistency is the key word there. Many of us go in "fits and starts" veering back and forth between self-care and neglect. But in order to thrive, and create a blossoming life, we need to provide ourselves with that self-care and nurturing consistently, day after day. In our work together we will identify the sometimes unconscious ways in which you neglect or damage your life, bringing them up to the conscious level so that you can spot the neglect when it is threatening your success. And then we will work together to devise a path of nurturing and self-care that is right for you, and work together to help you make it a consistent life pattern.
A large part of our work together will be on learning to tolerate feelings rather than trying to get rid of them. As it is in our attempts to "get rid of" feelings that we generally "use" substances or self-neglect to try to shut ourselves down or numb out the uncomfortable feelings. The key to tolerating feelings is allowing them to be present without trying to get rid of them or diving into or "wallowing" in them, while maintaining our consistent, nurturing self-care day after day. In this way, we can survive and ride out the uncomfortable feelings, not allowing them to damage or set us back. And when they pass, we will find ourselves amid a life that is still growing and blooming to its full potential.
Thank you for allowing me to share your journey.
About Me
About Me
This openness is encouraged and in fact critical throughout the process of therapy, not just in the first session. All of your thoughts and feelings are welcome in therapy, no topic is taboo. Clients are encouraged to bring into therapy whatever comes to mind. Whether this be free associations, current conflicts, relationship worries, dreams, fantasies, memories, aspirations and disappointments. All of it is fodder for the mill.
During your first visit, we'll discuss what issues are bringing you in, as well as the history of that concern. We'll also discuss your history in general--what was your childhood like? what were pivotal events in your life that you think may be having an impact on the current concerns? Any medical history that may be important for me to know, previous therapy experiences, etc. We'll also get to know each other so that we can determine if this is a good fit. The fit between the therapist and client is critical to the success of therapy, as change happens in the relationship. So clients are encouraged to openly express any questions, concerns or hesitations they have about therapy or whether this is a good fit.
Once we have determined if this is a good therapeutic fit, we will set up a schedule for therapy. The frequency of sessions (once a week, two to three times a week, etc.) and the duration of the therapy depends largely on the client's needs and goals. While I do work with individuals on a short term basis, most of my clients come in seeking more long-term personal growth and substantial changes in their lives. Therapy is often like peeling the layers of an onion. So how deep you want to go and are willing to go, depends on you.
Contrary to popular belief, therapy is not for sick people. It is often the healthiest person in a family who seeks help. And therapy can be hard work, it's not always fun and happy. So it is truly a strong person who chooses to do the work and to stick with it.
However the payoff is amazing.
Of course, cost is a concern to many patients, so I do offer a sliding scale in cases of personal need, and for those seeking extensive psychodynamic work multiple times a week. Sessions are 45 minutes long, and I do require 24 hours notice of cancellations or there will be a charge
for the session.