New Patients:
Is Therapy Right for Me?

Name: Strong Mind Psychiatry
Address: Vancouver, WA
Telephone: (360) 208-0258
Price range: $$-$$$

If you’ve made an appointment for therapy or you’re considering it, congratulations on taking a big step. The path ahead may seem uncertain, perhaps even intimidating. You might wonder if you’re ready or if it will be worth the effort. These hesitations are completely natural.

New & Prospective Patients

Psychiatric Services and Counseling for a Stronger Mind - Vancouver, WA

Think of therapy like a journey. It’s human nature to feel anxiety at the beginning, but throughout your experience, you’ll see new things and gain valuable new perspectives. These are things you wouldn’t see in your normal day-to-day life and surroundings – and they will be worth it.

To help you embark on this journey, we’ve put together this guide to getting the most out of your therapy.

Benefits of therapy

Is Therapy Right for You?

Therapy isn’t reserved for specific types of people or particular problems. It’s a resource available to anyone who wants a greater understanding of themselves.

Some individuals come to therapy with clearly defined concerns: managing depression, navigating relationship difficulties, or addressing anxiety. Others arrive knowing only that something feels out of alignment, without being able to name exactly what.

Therapy might be beneficial for you if:

You find yourself repeating unhelpful patterns in relationships or behaviors
You feel overwhelmed by life transitions or decisions
You experience emotions that seem disproportionate to situations
You seek deeper self-understanding or personal growth
You want to develop more effective coping strategies for life’s challenges

Supporting Your Journey

How to Get the Most Out of Your Therapy

The effectiveness of therapy depends not just on your therapist’s expertise, but also on your active participation in the process. To get the most out of your therapy, we have a few recommendations.

Be honest and open. Therapy creates a unique space where you can speak your truth without judgment. The more forthcoming you are, the more precisely your therapist can help address your concerns.
Acknowledge discomfort as part of growth. Meaningful change often requires exploring uncomfortable emotions or challenging long-held beliefs. When you feel resistance arising, try to lean into these moments — they often signal important areas for exploration.
Carry insights beyond the session. Consider keeping a journal between appointments to record reflections or situations where you applied concepts discussed in therapy.
Set specific and achievable goals. We believe in the value of therapy as both a journey and a destination, but having certain attainable landmarks in mind helps measure progress.
Practice self-compassion. Growth isn’t linear. Setbacks are natural parts of any meaningful change process. Don’t get discouraged.
Share feedback about the therapeutic process. If certain approaches aren’t working for you, tell your therapist. A skilled therapist welcomes this feedback.
Try to balance your lifestyle in other areas. Support your therapeutic work with good sleep habits, physical activity, nutrition, and social connection.

Start your journey

Important Forms and Documents Before Your First Appointment

To make your first appointment smooth and productive, we ask that you complete several forms beforehand. Please complete the following forms and email them back to us or bring the forms with you to your initial consultation:

Ready to Begin?

At Strong Mind Psychiatry, we’re here to use psychiatric techniques to help you achieve your goals, but with all counseling and therapy, it comes down to you. To get the most out of it, you have to be ready to begin.