I went to Real Life Counseling around 2020 to 2021 because I was struggling with online school as a teen in high school. I was doing terribly, so my dad and step-mom helped my brother and I get into therapy with RLC. I had my first therapy session with LMHC Lindsey Russet. I believe she was a wonderful fit for me, but she had to step away after a couple months to a year for maternity leave. I had the option to continue with video calls instead of in-person meetings, but my parents did not believe that to be as effective at the time. I feel grateful for her time, and wished her the best.
With my first therapist no longer available, RLC had to move me to a new therapist. Despite the seemingly long list of providers in their website, I only had one option. Unfortunately, he was not the right one. I never truly felt comfortable with this provider, but continued to see him anyway. Our disconnect made the sessions feel impersonal and a waste of time. He would ask me to try techniques in-office that I did not like (breathing techniques) and we would often talk about things unrelated to my mental health issues. It felt like he didn't understand me at all.
After all of this wasted time, I knew I finally had to step up and do something, otherwise I would continue seeing this provider that I knew was not benefiting me. I had taken some control in the conversation and was asking his thoughts on my situation, because I had a feeling he didn't see what was wrong. I was correct. After he said something The Board would not have like to hear, and something I disagreed with (never reported and do not intend to), I had my closure and could leave counseling without guilt.
I went a couple years without therapy and missed my first therapist every so often, but Real Life Counseling was not an option for me anymore. I would not consider going there again. That latter experience was subpar, and I hope other clients that visit RLC have a better experience than I did. read more