How can therapy help me?
A number of
benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide
support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues
such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood
issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks.
Many people also find that therapists can be a tremendous asset to managing
personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage
issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh
perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a
solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use
the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits
available from therapy include:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
- Developing skills for improving your relationships
- Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
- Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
- Improving communications and listening skills
- Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
- Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
- Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in
life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other
difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra
support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough
self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to
be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in
life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy.
Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you
need to avoid triggers, change unhealthy behavior patterns, and overcome
whatever challenges you face.
Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it is right for me?
People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy.
Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce,
new job, relocation, etc.), or are feeling overwhelmed by stressful
circumstances. Some people need assistance managing a range of other
issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, relationship problems,
or challenges of parenting. Therapy can help provide some much needed
encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods.
Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about
themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life. In
short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in
their lives and ready to make changes in their lives.
What is therapy like?
Because each person
has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different
depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the
current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to
your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the
previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy
can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more
difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development.
Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your
therapist (usually weekly). Sometime, there is even homework to complete
between sessions.
It is important to understand that
you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the
process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you
learn in session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you
do in therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest some things you can do
outside of therapy to support your process - such as reading a pertinent
book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking
action on your goals. People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make
positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take
responsibility for their lives.
What about medication vs. psychotherapy?
It is well established that the long-term solution to
mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved
solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy
addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our
progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of
well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. Working with your
medical doctor you can determine what's best for you, and in some cases a
combination of medication and therapy is the right course of
action.
Do you take insurance, and how does that work?
I accept self-pay, BCBS and Aetna. Please contact
me to discuss my fees.
Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?
Confidentiality is one of the most important components
between a client and psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high
degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not
discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. Every therapist should
provide a written copy of their confidentiality agreement, and you can
expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone.
This is called “Informed Consent”. Sometimes, however, you may
want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on
your healthcare team (your Physician, Naturopath, Attorney), but by law your
therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written
permission.
Limits of Confidentiality: State law and
professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except
for the following situations:
* By law, therapists are
"Mandated Reporters". This means that they have to report any suspected past
or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the
appropriate authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement,
based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
* If
the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of
harming him/herself or has threated to harm another person, this must also
be reported for safety.