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 difficulties, unresolved
childhood issues, grief and loss, stress management, career problems, and life transitions. Many people also find that counselors can be an asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage
issues, and the stressers 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 values, and your goals
- 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
- Learning new ways to manage difficult emotions
- Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
- Improving communications and listening skills
- Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
- Discovering 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.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you have faced in the past, there is nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need
it. In fact, therapy is for people who have the 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 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 therapy. Some may be going through a major life transition 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, or relationship problems. Therapy can instill hope, help provide 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.
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 issues happening in your life, your personal history
relevant to your issues, 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. Depending on your needs initially therapy sessions may be weekly or every
other week. As you progress, you may not need to meet as often. At your first session and during the course of therapy, your therapist will discuss with you recommendations for how often to meet.
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 the sessions back into your life.
Therefore, beyond the work you do in the 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, practicing skills learned, or taking action on your goals.
What about medication vs. psychotherapy?
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. 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?
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 include:
- What are my mental health benefits?
- Is a referral needed from my primary care physician?
- Is pre-authorization needed?
- Do I have a deductible? If so how much is it and what portion has been met?
- What is the co-pay per therapy session?
- How many therapy sessions does my plan cover per year?
- Do I have out-of-network benefits and if so how much does insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
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 regarding highly sensitive issues that are usually not discussed anywhere but the
therapist's office. If you wish to have information about your therapy disclosed to another person, such as your physician or psychiatrist or another family member, you would have to sign a consent to release form. There are
some exceptions. Your health information can be shared with your insurance company for your therapist to receive reimbursement (as per HIPAA). In addition, confidentiality can be broken in the following circumstances: in the
event of a medical emergency, if your therapist believes you are at risk of hurting yourself, if you threaten to hurt someone else, child abuse or neglect and elder abuse or neglect (including
suspicion of abuse or neglect for both children and elders), and if the therapist is court ordered. Your therapist will discuss these issues with you and you can decide with whom, if any one, you would like
information to be shared. You can also revoke consent to release information at any time.
