Haley Pottkotter, MA, MFT

People often ask me what my favorite part of being a therapist is. It's an incredible privilege to be invited into someone's story, from the nerves of a first session to the day someone says, "I don't think I need therapy anymore." Along the way, I get to be curious about your experiences, relationships, history, and the way you see the world. Sometimes I ask difficult questions or I gently challenge patterns that no longer serve you. Other times, I simply sit with you in the hard moments....

"Feelings are always valid. They might not always be trustworthy." Feelings are always valid because they come from real experiences. They give us information about what's happening inside of us. The caveat is that feelings are not always an accurate reflection of what is happening around us. You can feel like a burden without being one. You can feel afraid without being in danger. You can feel rejected without actually being rejected. Sometimes we spend so much time questioning our feelings...

Starting couples therapy can feel a little intimidating, and we’re often unsure about what it really looks like. Couples therapy is a space to slow things down and talk through what you both are experiencing with support. In the beginning, the therapist gets to know both of you. They might ask what’s been going on, what’s feeling hard, and what you each hope might change. From there, the focus is usually on helping each of you understand patterns in your relationship and communicate in a way...