Is therapy right for me?
The short answer is- yes! Seeking out therapy is an individual choice, and there are many reasons for choosing therapy. Some people want to deal with long-standing psychological issues, such as anxiety or depression. Others choose therapy in response to unexpected changes in their life, such as a divorce or work transition. Many people seek the advice of a counselor as they pursue personal exploration and growth.
Working with a therapist can provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and maybe you’ve successfully navigated these before. But there’s nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it (in fact, I think it’s admirable).
Therapy is for people with enough self-awareness to recognize they need a helping hand. By seeking therapy, you’re taking responsibility through identifying where you’re at in life and making a commitment to change the situation. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
How can therapy help me?
Therapy can provide so many benefits! What you get out of therapy depends on how well you use the process and apply what you learn, but benefits available from therapy includes:
- Gaining 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
- Getting help managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life
- 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 a fresh perspective and new ways to solve difficult problems
- Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
What is therapy like?
Each therapy session is uniquely catered to the individual and his/her goals, but you can expect to get these things out of therapy:
- Compassion, respect and understanding
- Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
- Real strategies for enacting positive change
- Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance
Therapy can be short-term (focusing on a specific issue) or long-term (addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth). It’s common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, with each session around fifty minutes. During a session, the therapist will discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life.
For therapy to be effective, you must be an active participant during and between the sessions. Its important between sessions to process what’s been discussed and integrate it into your life. Sometimes your therapist may ask you to take a given action outside the session, such as reading a relevant book or tracking certain behaviors.
Therapy is an active process for people to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change, and create greater awareness in their lives.
Is medication a substitute for therapy?
Medication alone cannot offer a long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause. Medication just treats the symptoms, while therapy addresses the cause of distress and targets the behavior patterns that impede our progress.
In some cases, a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your doctor can help determine what’s best for you.
An integrative approach to wellness, not just medication, is key for sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being.
Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?
Yes, I accept insurance. The amount covered by your insurance depends on your provider. I’m happy to check insurance benefits for you, just send me an email request to do so. If you’d like to check yourself, call your insurance carrier and ask these questions:
- Do I have mental health benefits?
- What is my deductible and has it been met?
- How many sessions per calendar year does my plan cover?
- How much does my plan cover for an out-of-network provider?
- What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
- Is approval required from my primary care physician?
If your provider will cover the sessions, I’ll give you a receipt to submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. For more information on payment options and fees, click here.
Is therapy confidential?
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.
However, there are some exceptions required by law including:
- Suspected abuse of a child, dependent adult, or elder. The therapist is required to notify the appropriate authorities immediately.
- Cases where a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.
- Cases where a client intends to harm himself/herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.