We promote being physically healthy -- but how can we also prioritize being emotionally and mentally healthy?My name is Eugene Canotal, and this has been my approach to working with my array of youth, teen, and adult clients as their clinical social worker/therapist. Welcome!
I appreciate you taking a step towards moving in a healthy direction in your life. I also appreciate your consideration of me as someone who can bear witness to your journey and offer guidance and support along the way. |
Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash
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What is therapy and how can it help?
I remember hearing this analogy when I was training to be a peer counselor in college: If you get into an accident and break your arm, do you go to a doctor for help or try to fix it yourself?
Using that analogy, there are moments in life in which we incur injuries to the heart, mind, and/or soul. It could take the forms of a brutal break-up or sudden loss of a job. It could be a traumatic event that could lead to not feeling safe or comfortable in the world, or not feeling motivated about engaging in work, school, or relationships.
Or you could be fortunate enough to have stable housing, a well-compensated job, and a wonderful support network, but feel a lack of purpose or fulfillment in your life. A sense of just going through the motions -- "Same ****, different day," as how some of my teenage clients (humorously) describe it.
Therapy, however, isn't about assessing problems and then, afterward, prescribing a silver bullet solution or "fix." If only it were that simple! My approach is a collaboration between us, with you taking the driver's seat, while I offer my guidance from my years of experience. I want to help you discover within yourself your inherent capabilities, strengths, and capacity to strive towards becoming your best self.
While we can be task-oriented in our work towards a concrete objective, change is not always a linear progression; it is not uncommon for it to feel like one step forward, two steps back. However, I plan to still be there to support you along the way -- in fact, I do not take this process lightly and have been deeply honored by my clients trusting me and opening up to me.
It is my style to provide a safe, nurturing, nonjudgmental space within which you will hopefully grow and thrive.
Using that analogy, there are moments in life in which we incur injuries to the heart, mind, and/or soul. It could take the forms of a brutal break-up or sudden loss of a job. It could be a traumatic event that could lead to not feeling safe or comfortable in the world, or not feeling motivated about engaging in work, school, or relationships.
Or you could be fortunate enough to have stable housing, a well-compensated job, and a wonderful support network, but feel a lack of purpose or fulfillment in your life. A sense of just going through the motions -- "Same ****, different day," as how some of my teenage clients (humorously) describe it.
Therapy, however, isn't about assessing problems and then, afterward, prescribing a silver bullet solution or "fix." If only it were that simple! My approach is a collaboration between us, with you taking the driver's seat, while I offer my guidance from my years of experience. I want to help you discover within yourself your inherent capabilities, strengths, and capacity to strive towards becoming your best self.
While we can be task-oriented in our work towards a concrete objective, change is not always a linear progression; it is not uncommon for it to feel like one step forward, two steps back. However, I plan to still be there to support you along the way -- in fact, I do not take this process lightly and have been deeply honored by my clients trusting me and opening up to me.
It is my style to provide a safe, nurturing, nonjudgmental space within which you will hopefully grow and thrive.
Photo by Harli Marten on Unsplash