Andrew Lapides
If you've been thinking about therapy for months, you're in good company. Most people I meet in my practice tell me they considered reaching out for a long time before they finally did.
They weren't waiting for permission. They were waiting to feel ready, to be sure things were "bad enough," or to have the right words. The truth is that none of those conditions are required. You can start exactly where you are.
Why people wait, and why you don't have to:
Therapy isn't only for emergencies. These are the reasons I hear most often for putting it off:
- "Other people have it worse." Pain isn't a competition. If something is affecting your sleep, relationships, work, or mood, it deserves attention.
- "I should be able to handle this myself." You've probably been doing exactly that, and it may have worked for a while. Support doesn't mean you failed.
- "I don't know what I'd even say." You don't need a script. Sorting out what's wrong is part of the work we do together.
- "It won't change anything." Research consistently shows that most people who engage in therapy see meaningful improvement, especially when they feel a good connection with their therapist.
You don't need a diagnosis, a crisis, or a perfectly organized story. Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply not like yourself is reason enough. Or you want to grow, find balance in your life, and need the support.
What a first session actually looks like
The first session is a conversation, not an interrogation. Here's what to expect:
- A little paperwork. You'll complete a short intake form and we'll review confidentiality and how our work together will run.
- Your story, at your pace. I'll ask what brought you in and what you hope will change. You decide what to share and when.
- A chance to see if we fit. Feeling comfortable with your therapist matters more than almost anything else. It's completely fine to ask me questions, too.
- A rough plan. Before we finish, we'll talk about goals and how often to meet, so you leave knowing what comes next.
How I work
I'm Andy Lapides, LCSW, and I've been working with adults, teens, and couples for fifteen years. My practice focuses on a variety of mental health concerns including narcissistic abuse, anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relationship concerns, grief, etc.
My approach is warm, collaborative, practical, reflective, drawing on my training in psychodynamic therapy, integrative psychotherapy, gestalt therapy, mindfulness-based methods, etc. I don't believe in one-size-fits-all therapy. We'll shape the work around what you need, not the other way around.
Sessions are offered in Cedar Knolls, New Jersey and online. I have two other therapists that work in the practice that take a sliding scale fee, Alyson and Chunbo.
Ready to take the first step?
If something in this post sounded familiar, consider this your sign to reach out. A free 15-minute consultation is a low-pressure way to ask questions and see whether we might be a good fit.
Book a consultation: https://www.morrisguildpsych.com/
Call or text: (973) 532-2149
Email: info@morrisguildpsych.com
You don't have to have it all figured out. You just have to begin.
