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 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.
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, re-direct damaging 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, etc.), or are not handling stressful
circumstances well. Some people need assistance managing a range of
other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions,
relationship problems, spiritual conflicts and creative blocks.
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 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).
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?
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?
My clients pay out of pocket and I provide a Superbill,
which they submit to their insurance. To determine if you have mental health
coverage through your carrier, the first thing you should do is call them.
Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their
answers. Some questions you can ask them:
- 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?
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. Every therapist should
provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure 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.
California State law and professional ethics,
however, require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the
following situations:
* Suspected past or present abuse or
neglect of children, adults, and elders to the 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.