Photo of Lorin Brand, MS, EdS, LMHC, Counselor
Lorin Brand
Counselor, MS, EdS, LMHC
Verified Verified
5 Endorsed
Tallahassee, FL 32303
Therapy should provide a safe, nonjudgmental relationship through which to explore those parts of you that may make you feel ashamed or afraid, to develop meaningful insights, and to discover your strengths. I have extensive experience working with people seeking to overcome traumatic life events - sexual violations, abuse, neglect, extreme acts of violence - but have found that, in the end, it can sometimes be the seemingly small, overlooked wounds that take longest to heal. No matter how stuck and hopeless you may feel, you have the power to take control and embrace the person you'd like to be.
Therapy should provide a safe, nonjudgmental relationship through which to explore those parts of you that may make you feel ashamed or afraid, to develop meaningful insights, and to discover your strengths. I have extensive experience working with people seeking to overcome traumatic life events - sexual violations, abuse, neglect, extreme acts of violence - but have found that, in the end, it can sometimes be the seemingly small, overlooked wounds that take longest to heal. No matter how stuck and hopeless you may feel, you have the power to take control and embrace the person you'd like to be.
(850) 308-5429 View (850) 308-5429
Photo of Cyndi Goodwin - A Time to Change Counseling Center, P.A., LCSW, Clinical Social Work/Therapist
A Time to Change Counseling Center, P.A.
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Tallahassee, FL 32303
I have extensive experience with mood disorders, trauma and addictions and work with all ages. I am trained in EMDR and use that technique with both children and adults if appropriate. My clients often state when they first spoke to me they felt immediately at ease and did not feel judged. I am able to assist my clients in seeing patterns in their life story and work to identify and change core beliefs such as "I'm not good enough", "I'm defective" or "I cannot trust others."
I have extensive experience with mood disorders, trauma and addictions and work with all ages. I am trained in EMDR and use that technique with both children and adults if appropriate. My clients often state when they first spoke to me they felt immediately at ease and did not feel judged. I am able to assist my clients in seeing patterns in their life story and work to identify and change core beliefs such as "I'm not good enough", "I'm defective" or "I cannot trust others."
(850) 378-4548 View (850) 378-4548
Women's Issues Therapists

How do you encourage a woman to go to therapy?

It’s helpful to express concern and love for the person while framing therapy as a tool for improving their life. Offering specific examples of how an individual may be suffering, and what effects it has on them, should be done with compassion and with empathy. It may be useful to devise a game plan—breaking the process down into parts, such as finding a therapist, making appointments, and looking into insurance coverage.

How can women prepare for therapy?

Women can prepare for therapy by being willing to talk about their past experiences and their private thoughts. Before a session, an individual may want to reflect on how they’ve felt since the last session and what’s happened in their lives. Between sessions, it can be useful to write down notes about their reaction to a given event or how they felt at a particular time.

How long does therapy for women’s issues often last?

As with any type of therapy, sessions depend on the individual and the challenges they face. Therapy types like Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Prolonged exposure therapy (PET), and Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can be brief, most often ranging from between 5 and 20 sessions. In some cases, such as for women with eating disorders, residential treatment may be recommended for an individual who is judged to be at high risk of self-harm. For any therapy, the duration will depend on the progress made and results realized.

How can women overcome stigma around specific challenges in order to seek therapy?

Women dealing with domestic abuse, sexual assault, eating disorders, and any other number of troubles may feel a stigma around seeking help. It’s important to remember that these issues are not uncommon and there is no shame in getting help for them. Therapy is confidential, and women can talk about their experiences without fear of judgment. Seeking therapy can be a courageous and liberating act, and an important step toward healing and recovery.