Finding Your Harbor: A Gentle Guide to Counseling and Telehealth

Just like these steady rocks along Jasper Beach, Maine, counseling offers a place to find grounding and calm amidst life’s ever-changing tides.

I. Introduction

After introducing myself and Harbor of Hope—with a brief segue into self-care and the small ways we can reconnect with ourselves—I wanted to take a step back and offer something more foundational.

What is counseling, really? What happens in a session? And how does telehealth fit into it all

Whether you're just starting to consider therapy or you're looking for a better understanding of how it works (especially in a virtual format), this post is here to ground you in the basics—without the jargon.

II. What Is Counseling?

Counseling is a safe, supportive space to talk through life’s challenges with someone trained to help you process, understand, and grow. It’s a collaborative relationship—one rooted in curiosity, trust, and the belief that healing is possible when we feel seen and supported.

You don’t have to have all the answers when you come to therapy. You don’t even need to have the right words. Counseling is a place to untangle what’s hard, name what’s been hidden, and explore what matters most to you. Whether you're navigating a specific concern or simply feeling stuck, therapy can help bring more clarity, compassion, and direction into your life.

Healing begins in the space where we feel truly seen and heard.

Why People Seek Counseling

There’s no one reason people begin therapy. Some arrive in the midst of crisis. Others come because something feels off, even if they can’t explain what. Both are valid. Counseling doesn’t require things to be falling apart—only the willingness to look inward and explore what could be different.

Here are just a few common reasons people seek support:

• Anxiety, overwhelm, or chronic stress

• Grief and loss—recent or long-held

• Depression, sadness, or emotional numbness

• Relationship challenges (romantic, family, friendship, or work-related)

• Life transitions: career shifts, breakups, moves, parenthood, or aging

• The impact of past trauma

• Low self-worth, shame, or people-pleasing tendencies

• Burnout—mental, emotional, or spiritual

• Identity exploration (faith, values, gender, sexuality, or purpose)

• A desire to grow, heal, or live with more intention

• Sometimes healing begins with a pen, a pause, and a quiet place to listen inward.

You don’t need to have everything figured out before you start.

Sometimes healing begins with a pen, a pause, and a quiet place to listen inward.

What Counseling Is Not

Therapy often gets portrayed in movies as someone lying on a couch, free-associating while a silent therapist scribbles notes behind a clipboard. That’s not what most modern counseling looks like.

It’s also not about getting advice or being told how to live your life. Counselors aren’t fixers or judges. Instead, we’re trained to help you explore what’s happening beneath the surface—your thoughts, emotions, experiences, and patterns—so that meaningful change can begin from within.

Therapy isn’t only for people in crisis. You don’t have to wait until things get unbearable to ask for support. Many people come because they’re simply tired, overwhelmed, stuck, or curious. Some are doing okay—but want to understand themselves better or live more intentionally.

And while therapy can be hard at times, it’s not meant to be intimidating. It’s a space for real things: emotion, honesty, silence, laughter

III. What Can You Expect in Counseling?

After we’ve had our 15-minute phone consultation and decide to move forward, we’ll schedule your intake session. The intake can look a little different depending on your needs, but generally it involves going over consent forms, completing screening tools for things like anxiety, depression, and trauma, and then starting the intake assessment.

The intake assessment is, frankly, a pretty nosy document. It includes questions about why you’re coming to counseling, medical history (past and present), trauma history, substance use, and other areas that help paint a fuller picture of who you are and what you’ve lived through.

Because I work in a very relational way, I don’t just move down a list of questions. I tend to dig into some of your answers as we go, follow threads that feel important, and let the conversation guide us. That means the intake usually takes about two sessions to complete.

Within those first couple of sessions, we’ll also start identifying what you want to get out of therapy. We’ll talk about your goals, what change might look like for you, and begin to build a treatment plan together.

It’s not a rushed process—just a thoughtful one. My hope is that from the beginning, you feel like we’re building something together, not just checking boxes

Every sunrise is an invitation to begin again—with gentleness, courage, and hope.

Types of Approaches Used

There’s no one right way to do therapy—it’s about finding what works best for you. I draw from several different approaches depending on your needs and goals, including:

• Relational therapy, which emphasizes the healing power of the therapist-client relationship

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps you identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which focuses on accepting difficult feelings and committing to actions that align with your values

• Psychodynamic therapy, which explores how past experiences and unconscious patterns shape your present

• Trauma-informed care, which prioritizes safety and understanding the impact of trauma

• Strength-based approaches, which focus on your existing strengths and resources as a foundation for growth

Therapy is flexible and tailored to your unique story and where you want to go.

Goals and Outcomes

The goals we set in counseling can look very different from person to person. Some come seeking relief from symptoms like anxiety or depression, while others want to understand themselves better or find new ways to cope with life’s challenges.

Ultimately, counseling is about personal growth—helping you build insight, develop tools, and move toward a life that feels more authentic, balanced, and fulfilling.

IV. What Is Telehealth Counseling?

Support can meet you wherever you are—even from the quiet corner of your home.

Now that we’ve established a basic framework, let’s talk about telehealth counseling.

Telehealth counseling means receiving therapy remotely, usually through secure video sessions on HIPAA-compliant platforms. Instead of meeting in person, we connect through a private, confidential video call—often from the comfort of your home or wherever feels safest for you.

Currently, I work with clients all over Maine—from the northernmost towns, across the eastern and western regions, down to the southern coast. Telehealth counseling makes it possible for anyone in the state to access support without the stress or time of travel.

This format makes counseling more accessible, especially if you have a busy schedule, mobility challenges, or live far from a therapist’s office. It’s still real therapy, just delivered through technology that protects your privacy and keeps our conversations secure.

How Telehealth Counseling Works

To participate in telehealth counseling, you’ll need a device with a camera and microphone—like a smartphone, tablet, or computer—and a reliable internet connection. Sessions usually take place on a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform that keeps our conversations confidential and private.

I encourage clients to join from a quiet, comfortable space where you feel safe and can focus—somewhere you won’t be distracted or overheard. It’s best not to be driving or in the middle of busy family activity. Finding a calm environment helps create the same sense of presence and privacy that you’d have in an office setting.

Limitations and Considerations

While telehealth makes therapy more accessible, it’s not always the best fit for every situation or every client. In my experience, younger clients—especially children—often find it harder to engage fully through a screen. Many kids, teens, and even some adults benefit more from in-person, hands-on approaches that involve movement, play, or activities beyond just talking.

Because much of my work is talk therapy, this can sometimes present challenges with younger clients over telehealth. When that happens, I’m committed to working with you to explore alternative approaches that might fit better. If needed, I’m also happy to support you in finding a different provider who offers in-person services to best meet your needs.

Sometimes the support a child needs goes beyond the screen.

VI. A Note on Finding the Right Fit

Therapy works best when there’s a genuine connection between you and your therapist. Feeling comfortable, heard, and respected lays the groundwork for trust and growth. It’s completely normal to take your time finding someone who feels like the right fit for you.

Counseling is also something you have to want—even when it feels challenging or uncomfortable. If you’re not quite ready, or unsure if it’s for you, that’s okay. Being honest with yourself about where you are can actually make the process easier when you do decide to begin.

If you’re unsure or have questions about therapy, don’t hesitate to reach out for a free consultation. Exploring these feelings is an important first step.

VII. Finding Your Safe Harbor

If you’ve been thinking about counseling or wondering if it might help, I warmly invite you to reach out. Whether you have questions, want to learn more about my approach, or are ready to get started, I’m here to support you.

You don’t have to face life’s challenges alone. When you’re ready, we can take the next step together.

Contact me today to schedule your free fifteen minute phone consultation.

Even in winter, the harbor holds steady.