A Safe and Welcoming Space

From the moment you meet Alysia, you’ll be greeted with warmth and kindness. Whether you are meeting online or in her office, Alysia creates a haven where you feel seen, heard, and understood. She knows that taking the first step towards therapy can be daunting, so she strives to create an environment where you feel safe to express yourself without judgment.

The Initial Session

Your first session, often called an intake session, sets the foundation for your therapy journey. Here's what to expect:

• Assessment: Alysia will ask about your current concerns, medical and mental health history, and background to understand your situation.

• Goal Setting: You'll discuss what you hope to achieve through therapy.

• Questions and Concerns: This is your opportunity to ask any questions about the process, the therapist’s approach, and confidentiality.

Regular Sessions

Dr. Sierra’s sessions typically last 50-55 minutes and occur weekly, though the frequency can vary based on your needs and Dr. Sierra’s recommendations. During these sessions, you and Dr. Sierra will:

• Explore Thoughts and Feelings: Discussing what's on your mind and how you feel.

• Identify Patterns: Recognizing behaviors and thought patterns that affect your life.

• Develop Skills: Learning coping strategies and techniques to manage symptoms and improve mental health.

• Homework Assignments: Practicing new skills or reflecting on insights between sessions.

What Happens in a Therapy Session?

Talking and Listening: A typical session involves a conversation between you and your therapist. You might discuss current issues, past experiences, or future goals. Your therapist will listen actively, provide feedback, and sometimes guide the conversation with specific questions or prompts.

Techniques and Exercises: Alysia uses a variety of therapeutic techniques and interventions depending on your specific difficulties and goals for change. The most common interventions and techniques Alysia uses includes:

• Exploring past experiences and unconscious processes that shape current experiences and behaviors and to heal core wounds from the past

• Identifying and modifying limiting patterns of thinking and believing that negatively impact your ability to feel happy; to have positive relationships; to perform well in school, work, athletics, and the arts; to be resilient to life’s challenges

• Teaching mindfulness and compassion skills to improve emotion regulation, stress management, and simultaneously decrease distress and resistance to the realities of life; clients may learn meditation practices and other mindfulness practices to facilitate this

• Teaching specific mental fitness and visualization skills to improve performance in athletics, performing arts, in school or in your job

• “Parts work,” which entails getting to know and understand the inner protective parts that help us manage our lives, the inner child parts that often feel insecure, scared, vulnerable, and ashamed, and the inner “firefighters” that often behave impulsively to help protect us from painful and difficult thoughts, feelings, and memories. These parts are often in conflict with each other, which creates distress, but therapy can help these parts work together

• Teaching non-violent communication strategies to improve interpersonal functioning

Homework: Alysia will provide valuable resources and exercises for you to learn, practice, listen to, or otherwise engage with in between sessions. This might include keeping a journal, practicing formal meditation practices or informal mindfulness exercises, practicing new skills, or logging your thoughts, feelings, and moods.

Progress and Challenges

Progress in therapy can be gradual and is often measured by achieving smaller, incremental goals. You and Dr. Sierra will periodically review your progress to ensure therapy is progressing in a way that is meaningful and helpful to you.

Therapy can sometimes bring up difficult emotions or memories. It's important to remember that facing these challenges is part of the healing process. Dr. Sierra will be with you through these moments and help you develop ways of relating to these challenges that make them much more bearable than trying to power through them alone.

Termination

When the time comes, you and Dr. Sierra will end the therapeutic relationship. Termination is a therapeutic process in which you and Dr. Sierra will collaborate to determine when therapy is no longer serving you, no longer necessary, and/or no longer needed for you to meet your personal or professional goals. Sometimes termination is necessary for reasons outside of Alysia’s or the client’s control and in those cases, referral may be provided if ongoing treatment with a therapist is desired. But no matter why the therapeutic relationship ends, Alysia always approaches the process with gentleness, kindness, and acceptance.

Making the Most of Therapy

Open Communication: Being open and honest during therapy is crucial. Sharing your thoughts, feelings, and any concerns about the therapy process is welcomed. Effective communication enhances the therapeutic relationship and the overall effectiveness of your treatment.

Commitment: Regular attendance and active participation are key to making progress in therapy. Commit to attending sessions consistently and engaging fully in the process, including completing any assigned homework or exercises.

Patience: Therapy is not a quick fix. It requires time and patience. Be patient with yourself and the process, recognizing that lasting change often takes time and sustained effort.

Are you ready to begin your journey?

If you believe you are ready to start therapy, contact Alysia now for a free 15-minute consultation. Don’t hesitate to ask questions to ensure you feel comfortable and confident in your choice. Your journey to better mental health and well-being begins here.