Frequently asked questions
How can therapy help me?
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 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 handle my own problems.
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 seekin gout extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough
What is therapy like?
Because each person has diffierent issues and goals for treatment, therapy will vary 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.
What about medication vs. therapy?
It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our 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. Working with your medical doctor, you can determine what is 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:
How does confidentiality work?
Confidentiality is one of the most important componets of between the client and therapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discuss anywhere but the therapists office. Every therapist provided written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement and you can't expect that what you discussed in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called "informed consent". Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information with your care team (i.e. psychiatrist, family, PCP), but by law, your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.