Psychotherapy for the Issues in Your Life

Have you forgotten the last time you felt happy?
Are your problems keeping you up at night?
Would you like to experience more joy and happiness in life?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above you may be suffering from Depression or Anxiety. If you have come to this site you are probably experiencing a lot of emotional pain that you have tried to deal with by ignoring it, talking to your friends, or possibly just suffering in silence. Sometimes those things work for a while, but eventually your feelings bubble to the surface and start to make you feel overwhelmed. Eventually, you can’t hide your pain. It begins to affect your job and your relationship.

Many strong and independent men and women suffer from Depression or Anxiety at different times during their lives. It can occur suddenly after a crisis, such as a death, job loss, or diagnosis of an illness. Other times it seems to sneak up on you slowly. You wake up feeling a bit blue and months, or years, later you realize life doesn’t feel the way it is supposed to feel.

My name is Dr Karen Hoving and I am a Psychotherapist in Aurora, CO (South of Denver). I specialize in Adults and Adolescents that are experiencing Depression or Anxiety from a variety of reasons. Many of my clients were sexually or emotionally abused as children and are experiencing symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Some of you may be struggling with a diagnosis of Chronic Pain or Chronic Illness, which can cause emotional depression. Sometimes you need therapy because you are just struggling with different issues in your life and you need support and an unbiased, but caring, ear.

HOW IS THERAPY DIFFERENT THAN TALKING TO A FRIEND AND WHAT EXACTLY WHAT DO WE DO?

My patients are individuals that are in pain – some are in a lot of pain, others are frustrated with some aspects of their life and need some support or guidance. Before coming to see me many of my patients went to their support system first.  You might even be able to relate to their dilema. Have you ever struggled with a problem or a decision and you have gone to family or friends for help? Perhaps you are the type of person that is always there for your friends when they are sad or confused. But when you go to them either they seemed to be distracted with their own issues or they didn’t say exactly “the right thing.” You may have even ended up talking to them about THEIR problems instead of your own! Perhaps you tried to gently guide the conversation back to your issue. Sometimes when we do this we are met with defensiveness or a response akin to, “What do YOU have to be depressed about any way!”

In therapy, YOU are my primary concern. For that 50 minute appointment, all of my issues, problems or concerns are not in the room. We are focused on you. And only you. This is your time.

During our “Clinical Hour” we talk, you express your feelings, and sometimes we use different creative techniques to find the emotions that are hidden deep within you. Outside of therapy I often suggest books, or what I call “Bibliotherapy,” that may help you on your journey. At the end of your first session I give you a composition book so that you can begin to start journaling your feelings, concerns, dreams, or memories. This is not for me, it is for you. Some patients, if they don’t quite have the words to express their feelings, will draw in the journal. You can paste pictures in it, write, or do use it in any way that will help you get your feelings out of your mind and onto the page.

If we feel it will benefit you, we can also work with a Sand Tray to describe and explore issues that you uncomfortable talking about.

Therapy is a Journey that we go on together. My office should be a safe place. You should feel that you can say, “No” or “Not Today” and feel respected and heard. All of these creative techniques help you to move from “thoughts in your head” to “feelings in your heart” that can be released so they no longer haunt you day and night.

If you have never been to therapy before, it can be very unnerving to find a therapist and then pick up the phone to make that first phone call. What do you ask? How do you pick someone to work with? If you are looking for a very formal therapist that doesn’t give much feedback, and just sits quietly,  then I may not be the therapist for you. I am very relaxed but I participate a lot in your session. I give feedback, homework assignments, and am available in between session via email or texting. I want you to feel calm and comfortable when you come to see me. Sometimes we talk in my office but I have been known to take my patients on walks or meet online via SKYPE. My policy is to give you whatever you need to feel better (as long as it is ethical of course!).

Imagine arriving to see me. You ring the bell , I answer but you are also greeted by my Standard Poodle Molly, who is my Therapy Dog. As you get seated on my couch (complete with throw pillows and a blanket in case you get cold easily) I offer you Iced or Hot Tea, Coffee, Water or a Soft Drink (sometimes freshly baked cookies as well!). If it is in the winter you will notice to your left a roaring fire in the fireplace. There are black shelves filled with curious small objects and boxes of art supplies. A covered box is on the floor near the bookshelves. As you sip your iced tea, I encourage you to get comfortable, even take off your shoes or curl up on the couch if you would like.

I understand that seeing a Therapist for the first time can be scary. I want this to be a different experience for you. This is why I often play quiet gentle music in the back ground, offer you something to drink, and begin our session gently and slowly by just getting to know you. I don’t want you to feel pressured to tell me the big issues when you have just met me. It is fine for you to pace the session, exploring things in your own time. If you are ready to jump in to your issues, then I am ready to jump in with you. If you are nervous, and want to take it more slowly, that is just fine.

The first step in your feeling less alone is making one phone call. With one call we can begin your journey to feeling happier and more in control. Imagine looking forward to each day…visualize how it will feel when you don’t have to worry about nightmares or flashbacks, being able to make decisions about your job, marriage, or friends. Soon you will be sleeping through the night awakening refreshed and excited about each new day.

I encourage you to read the rest of my site and decide if I can help you. If you have questions, know that you are one call away.

 You’re Going to Be OK because I’m Here to Help

It’s Safe To Begin Your Journey Today.