Common Questions About Therapy

Do I need therapy?

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there is 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 are at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy can provide long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges.

Seeking therapy is an individual choice and people utilize therapy to improve their life in many different areas, so if you are struggling in any of the following areas, you may benefit from therapy:  • Experiencing feelings of anxiety, whether all the time or just in certain situations, and you are tired of feeling this way.  • Feeling an inability to adjust to new life transitions, such as a new job, move, etc.  • Feeling stressed more times than not or being unable to relax.  • Having a child that struggling with ADHD, ODD, anxiety or stress, and you want to help but are not sure what to do.  • Wanting a better understanding of how to be emotionally healthier in your life in general.  • Learning more about oneself through personal exploration of goals and values in order to grow in various areas of life.  • Developing skills for improving relationships with family members.  • Learning new ways to cope with stress, anxiety, grief, depression and other emotions.  • Improving listening and communication skills.  • Changing old behaviors and bad habits into positive ones.  • Feelings of uncertainty or stress about career issues or which career path to follow.

There are answers for you.

There are many other issues than the few listed above that can be treated in therapy. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general life transitions. If there is something else that you are experiencing that is not listed, and you are unsure that I would be able to help you, please contact me for a free consultation and I would be more than happy to discuss with you to see if this is something that you and I can work on together.

Is medication a substitute for therapy?

In some cases, a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your medical doctor, you can determine what is best for you. 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 your distress and the behavior patterns that curb your progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.

What is therapy like?

Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. It is standard for therapists to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around forty-five minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors.

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. It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions and work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives.

Here are some things you can expect out of therapy:

Confidentiality – this is a safe place for you to speak freely and honestly. What is said during therapy stays between just the two of us unless you give me written permission otherwise. The law requires only the following exceptions: suspected child, dependent, or elder abuse, if you were to threaten serious bodily harm to other person(s), or if you intend to harm yourself and refuse cooperation to ensure your safety.

  • A counselor who will listen to your concerns and work with you to set goals and work toward the change you desire.
  • A comfortable, accepting environment, free from judgment.
  • Compassion, respect, and understanding.
  • A professional perspective to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings.
  • Real strategies for enacting positive change.
  • Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance.