What can I expect from therapy at Northwinds Counseling Services? 

If you have never sought the services of a therapist, the thought of making that first call to schedule an appointment may generate some anxiety and concern. This is normal! Many people wonder: What will therapy be like? What will my therapist be like? Will I get the help I need? Will it be a safe place to explore my situation?

Northwinds Counseling Services has well-trained, safe, friendly, and professional Licensed Therapists who strive to maintain the highest legal and ethical therapy standards. Our therapists are dedicated to helping you sort through your issues and guiding you toward self-empowerment. Our offices provide both comfort and privacy, assuring you have the environment you need for the optimal therapy experience. If you have any questions or concerns before or during the therapy experience, please ask. We welcome all questions.

Do you have to be "crazy" or not functioning to go to therapy? 

No! We all face issues and problems in which we can benefit from having outside support. Sometimes the outside support from family and friends isn't enough (or isn't available). That's when professional support can be helpful or even necessary. While it's true that therapy can be helpful for individuals with severe mental illness, it is also for individuals and families who are struggling to resolve common, but difficult, life issues (such as divorce, parenting issues, meaning-of-life questions, coping with the loss of a loved one, feeling alone, etc.). 

Is therapy about blaming others or not taking responsibility for myself?

No. Although therapists may at times focus on the origins of a client's issue, or the role that others play in the continuance of the client's issue, this only serves as part of the process for the therapist and client to gain a deeper level of insight and understanding into the issue. Often times therapists will ask clients to analyze their own roles in the current or past situations.

How is talking to a therapist different than talking to a friend?

Although therapists are generally friendly, approachable, caring people, the relationship you have with your therapist is different than the relationships you have with your friends. By talking to a therapist who is experienced and trained in human behavior, you will likely gain new insight, perspective, and understanding regarding the issues you are struggling with. A therapist is objective in a way that no friend or family member can be.

What if I can't talk for a full hour? 

It is our job to put you at ease so that you can talk. Therapists are well trained in the art of communication. If you would like to enter your therapy session with specific things to talk about, that is fine. If not, that's okay, too. Good therapists will know the right questions to ask to generate a meaningful conversation. Most clients report feeling the therapy hour goes very quickly, and many are surprised at how easy it is to become engaged in dialogue with their therapist.

Don't therapists get bored listening to others problems all day?

We truly enjoy our job and are not bogged down with the problem, but instead get satisfaction helping people overcome the problems and feel more empowered in their lives. We enjoy finding out about people and value each person that we work with. It is an honor to have clients choose to share important parts of their lives with us.

Is it a sign of weakness to go to therapy?

Absolutely not. It may sound cliché, but admitting that you need help demonstrates incredible courage.

Do children need therapy?

Sometimes they do. All people, young and old, experience stressful situations, but children often have not developed the coping skills and tools that adults have to gain a sense of control over their lives. Some children become very sad, overanxious or hyperactive and can benefit tremendously from therapy. Often the parents can be given insight and new tools of their own to help their children more effectively.

Who will know I am in therapy?

The therapist-client relationship is bound by strictly-regulated rules involving privacy and confidentiality. In most cases we are not able to reveal any information without a client’s specific written and verbal permission. Exceptions can include situations in which the therapist has clear reasons to believe the client’s safety or the safety of another person is at risk. Your therapist will explain details of these exceptions at the beginning of the therapy process and will provide you with a detailed copy of your rights to confidentiality as a client.

What if the therapist and I are not a good fit?

Therapy should be about you and your personal growth. You have the right to seek and retain the therapist of your choice. If you do not feel there is a good fit between you and your therapist, please let them know and feel free to choose someone else who might better suit your therapeutic needs. The therapist will not take offense, and he or she can help refer you to another therapist who may be a better fit. If it is not working for you – then it is not working for us.

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Common Questions

Techniques Available Might Include

Mental Health Counseling

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763.424.1888

21395 John Milless Drive, Suite 400

Rogers, MN  55374

Resources for Couples

Common Counseling Issues Addressed

At Northwinds Counseling Services, we consider it a privilege to help our clients as they go through life-changing experiences. With integrity, compassion, and a deep devotion to the worth of each individual we see, our therapists are here to help you make positive adjustments to the stressful life challenges you are facing. We offer individual, couples, and family counseling, and our therapists have extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. Our primary model of treatment is Cognitive-Behavioral therapy, though we frequently draw from other treatment models as needed.