Andrea Fuller Counseling

I offer the introductory session at no charge so the prospective client can decide if it seems like a good fit. During the first few sessions, i gather information to identify strengths and talents as well as to clarify issues that might be obstacles to success. I encourage a collaborative relationship, where we work together as a team.

I completed my education in 1989, but began working as a therapist with my student internship in 1987, and have been working consistently since then. I have a broad range of experience from hospital settings, to working with incarcerated adults, residential settings for adolescents, faith-based organizations, and private practice. This means that I have worked with a broad range of presenting problems, and I have availed myself of training to address this full range of issues.

I offer the first session at no charge so the prospective client can decide if it is a good fit. Thereafter, my fee is consistent with the local standard. I do, however, work with clients who have difficulty affording the full fee. 

I knew as a Freshman in college that I wanted to become a therapist. However, life had its detours, and it wasn't until my youngest children were in middle school that I was able to complete my education.

I was fortunate enough to obtain a student internship in a drug and alcohol program in the local hospital. That led naturally to working with an outpatient drug and alcohol program. Soon I expanded to working with adults who had been abused as children. 

I have worked with a wide variety of clients: Individuals struggling with addiction and their families; adults who were abused as children, often sadistically; at-risk adolescents and their families; children and adolescents in residential treatment; in-home therapy with families identified as needy. For the last decade and longer, I have worked with individuals who wish to learn better coping skills, couples seeking better relationship and communication skills, and family conflicts, in private practice.

I think fondly of one particular couple who was able to pick up the tools presented during sessions, and put them into practice between sessions. Within a few months, they were doing so well, we celebrated their "graduation." 

It is always a thrill when someone internalizes what they have learned in counseling and incorporates it in their daily living -- to see them demonstrate more confidence, higher self-esteem, and a general sccess in life.

There are as many different therapy styles as there are therapists, and therapists are not expert in all areas. Check a prospective therapist's education, experience, and therapeutic training. Then ask for a complementary session to determine one-on-one if it is a good fit. Ultimately, you are your best expert. Trust your own intuition.

Insofar as possible, clarify the issues you want to address. Also, clarify the results you are seeking: what would your life look like if the problematic issues didn't exist?

Both the issues and the results may change over the course of counseling, and that's okay. But the clearer they can be defined, the faster results will be experienced.