New to Therapy?
“Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it. It’s when we start working together that the real healing takes place.”
— David Hume
Believe you can.
Lyn Beyer, MSE, LPC, CCTP, NPT-C
Hello…and thank you for taking that difficult first step by viewing my site. My name is Lyn and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Wisconsin. I came to the profession of counseling after spending several years in therapy myself for anxiety and panic attacks. I had my first panic attack in 1983. I thought I was having a heart attack. Over the next couple of months those symptoms grew into agoraphobia, and for 7 months I suffered with constant fear, anxious thoughts, and an inability to leave my house. It nearly ruined my marriage and I didn’t even know what was wrong with me. After months of suffering and believing I was losing my mind, I was finally able to contact a psychologist and get help. It was the hardest thing I had ever done…and it was the most important. What I learned in those sessions I have carried throughout my life and continue to work on today.
During my 25+ years of clinical practice, I have worked with a variety of clients presenting with issues from depression and anxiety to childhood neglect/abuse, PTSD and grief. As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, my expertise is working with individuals who experience trauma in their lives. What is trauma? “Trauma is the psychological, emotional (and physical) response to an event or an experience that is deeply distressing or disturbing to the individual.” Sometimes trauma is related to just one event, such as losing your house in a fire or the sudden loss of a loved one. Other times, trauma can cast a long shadow over our lives, such as childhood abuse or prolonged exposure to events out of our control.
My therapeutic approach stems from the core belief that you are the expert of your own life and that our time together is a partnership. My role as therapist is to guide, assist and occasionally challenge you in that healing process. My style is grounded in Client-Centered and Humanistic models, although I am also trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. I am comfortable using many adjunctive therapies to increase your healing journey.
Personally, I am a mother, grandmother, yoga enthusiast, hiker, friend, sister, retired Director and active therapist. I am honest, compassionate, progressive and disciplined. My years of experience have shown me the relationship between therapist and client is the key to therapeutic success. If you don’t like your therapist, you won’t do the work. So, I am honored you might consider trusting me as a partner in your journey.
“Today I Choose Courage over Comfort” – Brene Brown
Do you ever feel too overwhelmed or confused to handle your problems? If so, you are not alone! The National Institute of Mental Health reports more than 25% of American adults experience depression, anxiety, or some form of mental distress in any given year. Psychotherapy by a licensed professional can help individuals with a wide range of mental health issues and emotional challenges.
Psychotherapy can help alleviate symptoms that cause mental and emotional pain. It can help one identify the psychological root causes of their struggles, assisting the individual to better functioning and emotional well-being. Coping with life stressors, dealing with trauma, medical illness, loss, depression and anxiety are some examples of areas where therapy can help.
Let’s Look at Some of the Stigmas Around Therapy
Therapy Tries to Fix You
The truth is, You are Not Broken so you don’t need fixing. Therapy helps you uncover strengths, develop coping skills, get to the root of maladaptive behavior, reduce negative beliefs and learn to better cope with your life. Therapy gives you tools, not answers. The answers are yours.
People Who Seek Therapy Are Weak or Crazy
This is False. The average therapy client struggles with many of the same problems we all struggle with daily: Relationships, self-doubt, confidence, self-esteem, work-life stress, life transitions, depression, and anxiety. In my 26 years of experience, I have often said the people I work with in therapy are healthier than many people walking the streets.
Therapy is All Talk and No Action
Therapy isn’t passive. Scenes in novels and TV shows where therapists just listen to clients vent, nod their heads in approval, and mirror back the same words are stereotypes. I use an interactive, collaborative process based on dialogue, and the client’s active engagement in joint problem-solving, creative processes, assignments and body work.
Therapists Blame Clients Problems on Their Parents
Contrary to what Dr, Phil says, A good therapist never blames or shames a client. If you have one….find someone new! My role is to bring an objective and supportive perspective to a client’s struggles and allow them to take responsibility for change. A reputable, professional therapist will never shame, blame, lie or manipulate a client into change.
Psychotherapy Can Solve Problems in Just a Few Sessions
This is simply not true, although I wish it were. Your problems and concerns didn’t develop in a few weeks. They probably developed over many years. It will take time to heal and make the life changes you want. Some therapies, like CBT, can be limited and short term, but even these take several months time. Therapy is a commitment to yourself, not to anyone else. It is an act of self care and hope for a better way of living.
What Does a Therapy Session Look Like?
A typical therapy session with me lasts about 50-60 minutes. The first session is always an Intake, where I begin to learn about you and what brings you here. You will receive paperwork prior to the first session. We will review and I will answer any questions during that session.
In following sessions, I work to create a nurturing and supportive environment so you feel safe enough to explore the issues that brought you here. We will set goals and develop a plan for reaching them together. Depending on the your unique needs, there may be assignments, worksheets or other activities to keep you engaged outside the session. Sessions can be scheduled weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or as needed. However, as-needed sessions usually happen after you have achieved your goals and are continuing on an as-needed basis only.
If you have any further questions, or would like to talk with me, please fill out the Consultation form on the Contact page and I will get back with you, as soon as possible.
Complimentary 15-Minute Consultation for Prospective Clients
Choosing a therapist is a personal decision that affects your wellbeing. That’s why it’s important you feel comfortable with the therapist you choose. With that in mind, I offer a 15-minute consultation at no charge to prospective clients so that we may explore working together. Or, if you’re ready to jump in, let’s get started!