What is counseling?
In counseling, you work with a therapist to help you solve personal problems in an open and supportive atmosphere. The counseling relationship is a professional helping relationship that is different than the kind you have with your friends or doctor. Unlike friends who are involved in your daily life, a counselor can be objective in assessing your problems. Unlike most doctors, a counselor doesn’t give you specific advice or tell you what to do. Instead, a counselor serves as a skilled listener who can help you to clarify your issues and deal with problems more effectively.
As a counselor, I will ask you about your concerns to gain a deeper understanding of you and your situation. I will help you to explore your feelings, address your concerns, and improve life skills. It is important to note that as you work on resolving your issues, you may feel your stress level momentarily increase. However, this is only temporary and part of the growth process.
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Isn’t it better for me to solve problems on my own?
As a therapist, I don’t solve your problems for you. Instead, I help you clarify issues and give you the support and tools to help you solve your problems on your own.
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But I’m not crazy! Isn't counseling for sick people?
You don’t have to be “crazy” or be diagnosed with a severe mental illness in order to seek counseling. Instead, recognizing when you have a problem and seeking help for it shows that you are wise and courageous in taking good care of yourself. The sooner you can receive help, the better your chances of preventing the problem from getting worse. Everyone can benefit from talking to a trained professional to resolve the damaging effects of stress and difficulties in their lives.
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How do I know if I need counseling?
People seek counseling when they are experiencing stress, confusion, and/or discontentment in themselves, relationships with others, or some other unpleasant circumstance in their life. Sometimes, they may feel anxious or depressed and not know why. Here is a partial list of common concerns:
Does counseling work?
In an in-depth study performed by Consumer Reports, 87% of people who felt “very poor” at the beginning of therapy reported improvement at the time of the survey. Out of the people who were feeling “fairly poor” at the beginning, 92% reported getting better from “at least so-so” to “very good”. In short, counseling works! Consumer Reports concluded that people benefited very substantially from psychotherapy, and they found that those who participated in counseling longer did considerably better than those with short-term therapy.
Sources: Consumer Reports (November,1995) “Mental Health: DOES THERAPY HELP?”
Seligman, M. (1995). The effectiveness of psychotherapy: The Consumer Reports Study. American Psychologist, 50, 965-974.
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How does counseling help?
You’ve probably had the experience of talking with a trusted confidante about something you had been holding in. Most likely, you felt an immediate sense of relief and renewed hope. You’re able to see things with fresh perspective, and your problems seem more manageable. This is what happens when you come for counseling.
Talk therapy can also help you to:
How private is my meeting with you?
As part of providing a safe and honest atmosphere, my counseling services are confidential. In our first meeting, I will explain to you fully how I maintain confidentiality and keep your information private.
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How long does counseling usually last?
The length of counseling varies. Each counseling session is fifty minutes long and held on a weekly basis. Some problems can be resolved in a few sessions, whereas others require a series of appointments. During the beginning phase of counseling, I will talk with you to get an idea of the concerns that you’re seeking help for. After that, I will be able to make an assessment of your issues and discuss the results you can expect as well as the length of your sessions with you.
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How much does it cost?
I accept payment by cash or checks. Paying for counseling is an investment, and I desire to make services accessible to you. I am happy to talk with you over the phone and find out everything I can about how to make it work for you. Please give me a call. If you are interested, you may want to ask about pre-paying for a package of sessions at discounted rate. The important thing is for you to take action and feel better as soon as you are ready!
Where is your office located?
My office is located at Westminster Counseling Center on 867 E. Atchison St, Pasadena, CA 91104. You can find a detailed map and parking information on the contact Aileen page.
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Can you accommodate my schedule?
I am available for scheduling sessions during the mornings, afternoons, and evenings to accommodate your needs. Individual counseling sessions are fifty minutes long. At the beginning of therapy, we will schedule a series of regular weekly visits for the best results. It is a fact that people get the most benefits out of their counseling sessions when they come for their appointments on a consistent basis. Even when they have felt better right away after their initial sessions, they need the extra time and continual support to make those positive changes permanent. Also, consistent visits keep you stay motivated on overcoming the issues in your life and prevent you from giving up too early before your concerns are successfully resolved. If you feel that you need to come in for visits more than once a week, you are more than welcome to ask me about this.
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How soon can I start?
Once you’re ready, contact me to set up an appointment. You can call me at (626) 798-0915 or email me at aileen@counselorforchristians.com. Typically, I can schedule an appointment with you within the week. You will receive some forms to fill out. When you come for your appointment, I will meet you in the waiting room and we can get started!
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Aileen Hong, M.S. provides counseling and therapy services for women, men, couples, children, teens, families, and groups. Counseling help is available for common concerns such as depression, anxiety, ministry burnout, school/work-related stress, marriage difficulties, family problems, relationship issues, grief/loss, self-esteem, cross-cultural adjustment, and uncertainty about the future.
Serving communities in the greater Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley areas, including: Altadena, Alhambra, Arcadia, Azusa, Bradbury, Burbank, Charter Oak, Citrus, Claremont, Covina, Diamond Bar, Duarte, Eagle Rock, East Pasadena, El Monte, Glassell Park, Glendora, Highland Park, La Cañada-Flintridge, La Crescenta-Montrose, Lamanda Park, Mayflower Village, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Pasadena, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, South San Gabriel, Temple City, and Tujunga