About Therapy
Why do therapy? Why not just talk to loved ones?
Therapy is not like talking to friends and family.
Friends and family want the best for you, but you also want the best for them.
That often means you filter what you say because you worry about how you will make them feel, what they will think about you, or how they will feel about your choices.
It is too much at once.
That is why –
Speaking to someone outside of your circle helps.
When you speak to someone with no preconceived notion about you, it is easier to be unfiltered.
You are free to say whatever because you are not emotionally responsible to your therapist.
Your only responsibility in therapy is to show up and do your best.
What does doing your best mean?
When you know you have the power to change your life, you will show up with vulnerability and honesty.
This can feel scary, awkward, or embarrassing at first.
So, to do so, you need a judgment-free space to explore your thoughts and feelings aloud, from the hard ones to the joyful ones.
When talking about thoughts and feelings, you may be covering fresh territory. It takes courage and a sense of safety, even if the topics are familiar.
Having the right match is essential.
To feel safe, you must have a strong rapport with your therapist.
I want my clients to know that I have unconditional regard for them, a genuine interest in their well-being, and a belief in their ability to change and heal.
This is how I invest in my clients every day.
About Kirsten Arebalos, MA, LPC
I’ve always been drawn to stories of transformation.
My favorite books and movies are about people who have changed their lives, looking within to improve their view of themselves and at the world to enhance their quality of life.
This belief that people have the power to transform gives me hope for better futures and relief from suffering.
I genuinely want the best for people, and this is the driving factor behind my work with clients.
I was not always a therapist.
I started as a teacher because I believed education was key to quality of life.
This belief still rings true, but as a highly introverted person who didn’t have the most incredible experience in middle and high school, living in that stage of life by working there was not the most outstanding fit for me.
I wanted to have relationships with my students and support them on a deeper level. The classroom doesn’t have room for the kind of connection I sought.
So, I went back to school.
This time, I pursued a career that would allow me to provide a deeper level of support for people. Therefore, I earned a master’s in counseling psychology.
My work after graduation has varied. I’ve done everything from crisis work to management to individual therapy.
The best part has been helping people through challenging moments and witnessing their resilience and determination to feel better.
Everyone can feel good, and having support along the way is key.
Looking to the future helps me see possibilities.
I look forward to connecting with more people and working as a team to help them achieve the sense of well-being they seek.
There will be more stories of transformation to witness in the future. They are all testaments to the vitality of life and the vast opportunities it offers. They inspire and encourage me to continue to serve the best I can.
When I am not working, I look forward to spending time with my family, our menagerie of animals, and good books. I appreciate simple things and delightful stories.
If what I have said resonates with you, let’s connect to see how we can work together.