Common Questions

Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one’s life such as a divorce or work transition. Many seek the advice of counsel as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help 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, parenting problems, body-image issues, and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.

Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. The process, treatment outcomes, and pacing look unique to each individual or couple. 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 focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, to address more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, It is most common to schedule a series of weekly or bi-weekly sessions, where each session lasts around fifty minutes. It is important to understand that for therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. 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 relevant book, journaling on specific topics, keeping records to track certain behaviors, or taking actions on your goals. It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, are open to new perspectives, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect 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

A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. A therapist 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 counselors 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 communication and listening skills
  • Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
  • Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

Everyone can experience benefits from adding therapy to their health and wellness routine. Being in crisis and extreme/endless suffering are definite reasons to reach out for support in managing and transitioning to stability and a more empowered and functioning life. Many times people put off starting a treatment program or developing a relationship with a therapist because they feel like they aren’t “crazy” or things aren’t that bad and they can manage. You should consider beginning a therapeutic relationship with a mental health professional to receive support in exploring areas of your life and psyche which you may never have or routinely get the opportunity to do so. It is inevitable that we take on beliefs from others and society which even on small doses can create lots of havoc. Explorations in self reflection are key steps to be able to identify where you are, and where you have been, so you will be better informed for the next steps to get you where you want to be. Often times there have been experiences and relationships which can alter or impede developing awareness of the many parts of ourself. Being cut off or impaired in accessing our full being can lead to creating limiting or self-destructive beliefs, as well as behaviors and thought patterns which are not in alignment with our authentic self and therefore take us in directions which leads to feeling unempowered, incapable, unloveable, and suffering from various dis-eases such as anxiety, depression, chronic pain/dysfunction, unhealthy relationships and low self esteem.

• • If you or someone you know has had a bad past experience with therapy or other health professionals, I want to encourage you not to give up on the support you deserve and to work on finding a therapist and type of work which is the right fit for your needs which makes all the difference in treatment outcomes.
  • If you have completed therapy in the past, remember that there maybe new life situations or a readiness to deepen past work which may prompt you to start a new therapy process or reconnect with a past provider.
• • Life is getting faster and more outside of ourself, its important to not lose sight and connection to our sense of self and personal resources.

Absolutely not! Most people experience some type of depression or anxiety during their lifetime. I mean think about it; we have all had relationships breakup, loved ones die or leave, and many of us have gone through big or little traumas in our lifetime. So of course it would only make sense that most people will experience depression or anxiety sometime during their lifetime. Therapists understand this and are here to help you through this process.

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. 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.

Often times what signals to people they are ready for this type of work is an accute stressor, a trauma, or being overwhelmed and needing empowerment with a chronic long term issue. Some such indicators are:

If you are ready to start your process of self discovery and healing, or are interested in more information please contact me and we can discuss setting up your 1st appointment as well assessing if this work is a good fit you at this time. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have as well as give referrals to better support you in your journey.

During your first session your therapist will ask you questions to find out what your goals are for therapy and will ask you general questions designed to get to know you better. Your therapist will also provide you feedback as necessary.

However, there are some exceptions required by law and professional ethics to this rule. EXCEPTIONS include:

• • Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults or elders. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources, immediately.
  • If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.
  • If a client intends to harm himself or 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.

In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what’s 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 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.

That really depends on you. Some people come to counseling once a week, others come every two weeks, and some come monthly. You and your therapist will come to an agreement on how often you will meet with one another.

Most therapy sessions typically last 50 minutes. If a longer session is needed it can be discussed and the additional time will be prorated.

To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them.  Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers.  Some helpful questions you can ask them:

• • What are my mental health benefits?
  • What are my mental health benefits?
  • What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
  • How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
  • How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
  • Is approval required from my primary care physician?