McKinney Marriage and Family Therapy

Mary McKinney,

MA, LMFT

 

Office Phone: 828-263-4113

 

805 State Farm Rd.

Suite 304

Boone, NC 28607

 

If any link is broken,

email Mary at mmftinboone@gmail.com

What is Marriage and Family Therapy?

Click Here to go to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy’s site to see.

What’s the purpose of therapy?

“Counseling helps you deal with personal issues, ranging from minor to major. By talking with a therapist or counselor, you learn better ways to express your feelings and improve your relationships. It’s a time dedicated to you, allowing you to be yourself and have someone understand you. Some people say, “I have friends that I talk to, so I don’t need counseling”. Friends are great. However, counseling is different from talking to a friend. When you talk with friends, you tell them your problems, and then you have to help them with theirs. In counseling, it’s all about you. You get to have someone support you with no expectation of you being their problem solver.”

Can therapy really help?

“Yes, it can. Therapists offer more than a listening ear and thoughtful advice. They guide

patients through the active process of identifying and resolving their problems. It’s

important to understand that successful therapy requires work on the part of both the

therapist and the patient.”

“More than 80% of people who engage in counseling are better off than those who do not, according to recent research. Counseling helps people pinpoint problems and understand how they can make things better. Counseling can shed light on complicated situations, and help people find solutions to problems.”

Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.

“Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.”

This is my first counseling experience. What should I expect?

“Excellent question! When you arrive, please have a seat in our waiting room. You will be greeted by your therapist. They will invite you into their confidential room to share your story and will help you express why you are seeking help at this time. If you both feel good about moving forward, then you and your therapist will decide how often you will meet and what issues you will work on together.”

How do I get started?

We hope the answers to these FAQ’s were helpful. We know that seeking counseling may not be easy and we want to make the process as easy for you as possible. You can call me at 828-773-5463 to help you schedule an appointment.