How can therapy help me?

There are many benefits available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, assist in improving problem-solving skills, and enhance coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, mood dysregulation, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can offer a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution by helping you “look outside of the box”. 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:

• Gaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
• 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 communication and listening skills
• Changing old behavior patterns and developing more healthy ones
• Discover 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.

Often people are hesitant to seek therapy, believing that they will be called “crazy” or “weak”. However, everyone goes through challenging situations in life. While you may have successfully navigated through difficulties you’ve faced in the past, there’s nothing wrong with seeking out additional support when you need it. 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 are in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking unbiased help. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to recognize triggers, redirect damaging thought and 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 (loss of a loved one, job loss, divorce, new job, etc.), or may need help handling stressful circumstances. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, and relationship problems. 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. People seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make positive changes.

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 (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 or biweekly).

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 a therapy session, 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 and identifying triggers or taking action on your goals. My belief is that “change doesn’t happen in here (the therapy session), it happens when you use what you have learned and do something different out there (your day to day life)”. People seeking therapy 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 it causes cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptoms, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and 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.

Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and a 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. I provide a copy of the confidentiality agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”. Sometimes, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (physician, attorney) or to a family member, but by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.

There are exceptions as state law and professional ethics require that therapists maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:

• Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, disabled adults and elders must be reported to authorities, including Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
• Suspected or reported domestic violence must be reported to 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 threatened to harm another person.