Common Questions

How can therapy help me?
 
Our therapists provide practical, workable assistance for whatever life throws at you!  A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Our therapists can provide support, problem solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for a wide variety of issues.  Many people also find that therapists can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, relationships, family concerns, marriage/couple issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem and help you find a solution. The benefits from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you discuss and 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 stressors, triggers and anxiety
  • 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 relationship
  • 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'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/improve 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 (unemployment, divorce, new job, medical problem, 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, or  relationship problems.  Therapy can help provide some much needed encouragement, support 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 therapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make positive changes in their lives. 

What is therapy like?
 
Because each person has individual issues and goals, therapy will be tailored to meet the needs of each individual.  In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, discuss 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 shortterm, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development.  Either way, it is recommended to schedule regular sessions with your therapist.
 
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 talk about 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 the therapy room to support your process.
 
What about medication?  
 
It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems 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.  We will work with you and your prescribing physician to help you 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?
 
Our staff is here to help you!  Please call our office and we'll try to answer your questions about coverage or check with your insurance company about your mental health coverage.  Although we can't guarantee what your insurance company will cover, we'll do our best to help you find those answers before you come in.  Just have your insurance card handy when you call.  We are contracted with many insurance companies and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP's).
 
Will the things we talk about in therapy remain confidential?
 
Absolutely.  Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and therapist. 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 without your permission.  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.  In that case, we would ask you to sign release forms that give your therapist permission to release the information you wish to have released.  Our therapists and staff adhere to strict ethical codes and confidentiality policies.
 
However, state law and professional ethics require therapists to report 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, or
 
* If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threated to harm another person.

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