Therapeutic Approach
For counseling to be successful, the client-counselor relationship must be safe, supportive, respectful, compassionate, trusting, and confidential. Our relationship must be a safe haven in order to discuss concerns and to explore ways to realize growth, healing, and a whole and healthy way of being. Our work together is based upon my deep respect for your innate strengths, building upon what is already successful for you.
Sitko Counseling collaborates with you integrating Assessment, Client-Centered and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies, Psycho-Education, and Mind/Body techniques. I offer Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), and Clinical Hypnosis. Research validates the effectiveness of these techniques for a variety of mental health challenges including treatment of civilian and military trauma issues, weight reduction, smoking, and substance abuse.
My approach to therapy, and its length, will depend on your particular needs and goals. Together we can identify the problems and potential solutions in a straightforward and understandable manner.
Most problems have multiple contributing causes (e.g., environmental, interpersonal, behavioral, and physical.) I will listen carefully, compassionately, and without judgment to hear your story fully.
For people new to counseling, a simple moment of being truly heard and understood is a powerful agent for healing.
Most importantly, I respect the fact that you are the expert on YOU. It is my privilege and honor to work with you.
Children
When working with children, I also work closely with parents and involve them in the treatment. Children sometimes need help expressing their thoughts and feelings; I use art, play, role-playing, and games to make the sessions fun and to assist in self-expression and understanding.
I feel very fortunate to do this work and grateful to the people who share their courageous stories with me. No matter your situation, I will utilize openness, compassion, optimism, and my clinical expertise and education to work with you, and will perform my services in a professionally competent manner.
People tell me they grow, change, and feel better after our work together.
"If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you.
If you do not bring forth what is within you,
what you do not bring forth will destroy you."
--Gnostic Gospel of Thomas
How Will You Know When Counseling is Over?
There are several things we will look for to decide when we are ready to conclude our work together in counseling. First, we want to know if the goals you established have been met. Did you accomplish the goals you expected to? Did we accomplish goals that you did not initially expect, but that are now benefiting you? If so, we will begin to work toward the end of your counseling. I will provide you with many opportunities to practice the "what-ifs," and to demonstrate how much you have learned and gained from counseling. Together we will process the end of counseling; with awareness that my door is open to you should you find the need arises to return for additional work in the future.
“When we are no longer able to change a situation –
we are challenged to change ourselves.”—Victor Frankl
