Written by: Matt Orlewicz, Mental Health Counselor

Starting therapy can feel daunting, especially if you’re not sure what to expect. I often hear
questions like “What am I supposed to talk about?” or “Why would I see a therapist when I
already have friends and family who listen to me?”

These concerns are completely valid. It’s natural to feel uncertain or even anxious about
beginning something new, especially something as personal as therapy. Let’s break down a
couple of the most common worries clients have:

“I don’t know what to talk about.”

Many clients begin therapy without a clear goal or specific issue to work on. Sometimes it’s just
a general sense that something feels “off,” or a desire to feel better mentally or emotionally.
That’s enough of a reason to begin.

You don’t need to have it all figured out before you walk through the door. Your therapist is
trained to guide the process by asking thoughtful questions, listening carefully, and helping you
explore what’s going on beneath the surface. Therapy isn’t about performing or having the
“right” answers. It’s about showing up as you are.

If you’re feeling stuck or unsure, say that. It’s a good starting point. Therapy provides a safe
space to explore those feelings at your own pace.

“I already have friends and family that listen to my problems.”

This is something I hear often, and it’s great that you have a support system. But therapy offers
something different.

Friends and family care deeply about you, but they’re also emotionally involved in your life. A
therapist brings an outside perspective, someone who’s not part of your daily world and can
remain neutral. They’re trained to listen in a different way, helping you unpack patterns, process
emotions, and understand yourself more deeply.

Therapy also provides consistency and structure. Unlike a casual conversation, it’s a dedicated
time just for you, focused entirely on your well-being, without expectations or interruptions.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide when the time feels right to begin your personal journey with
therapy. My hope is that this post helps!

Matt

Written by: Rebecca Kangwa, LMHC

Therapy isn’t just talking about feelings, it’s about building high-functioning, emotionally intelligent people. And when those people are on your team? You will see real results.

Here’s how therapy makes your employees better at their jobs:

1. Regulated people perform better

When someone knows how to manage their stress response, they don’t spiral in chaos. They don’t lash out. They pause, reflect, and respond with clarity. They’re efficient. 

2. Therapy improves emotional intelligence

Do you want teams that communicate clearly, give constructive feedback, and hold themselves accountable? That starts with self-awareness, and therapy is where it happens.

3. It dismantles imposter syndrome

Your highest achievers are often driven by fear, not confidence. Therapy helps them release perfectionism and start leading with self-assuredness. When people stop pining for worthiness, they perform with actual power.

4. It increases loyalty

Offering therapy sends a powerful message: “You matter. Your emotional wellbeing matters.” That builds trust. Trust builds loyalty. And loyal teams stay.

If you’re struggling with turnover, conflict, or stagnation, start here. Therapy isn’t a perk, it’s a retention strategy.

Written by: Rebecca Kangwa, LMHC

Let’s be honest, HR departments are trying. But when it comes to employee mental health, good intentions can still lead to bad strategy. Supporting mental health in the workplace isn’t about throwing a wellness app at your team and hoping for the best. If you want real change, you need real understanding.

Here are three common mistakes and what actually makes a difference:

1. Believing mental health is one-size-fits-all

Offering a meditation app or an EAP line no one calls doesn’t equal support. Your employees aren’t all struggling in the same way. Some are battling anxiety and burnout. Others are silently carrying grief, trauma, or family stress.

What works: Personalized therapy options. Confidential access to real mental health providers. Trauma-informed, culturally competent support. The days of generic “wellness” are over. People need depth, not checklists.

2. Mistaking perks for culture change

A one-time mental health day is a nice gesture, but it doesn’t solve deep issues like burnout, poor boundaries, or resentment. If leadership isn’t modeling emotional safety, no initiative will stick.

What works: Building a culture where people feel safe to professionally talk about stress, mental load, and emotions. That starts at the top, with leaders who show up with vulnerability and offer real support systems, like therapy and team mediation.

3. Treating burnout as a workload issue

Burnout isn’t just about doing too much, it can also be feeling emotionally depleted, unrecognized, or powerless. You can’t PTO your way out of that.

What works: Team-based counseling. Emotional regulation training. Communication coaching. Boundaries. Systems. Optimizing talent. The root causes of burnout are emotional and structural, not just logistical.

Real mental health support doesn’t just improve morale, it builds connection, resilience, and retention. If you’re ready to go beyond surface-level solutions, therapy-informed corporate counseling should be your next move.