.jpeg)
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can therapy help me?
A: There are many benefits of going to therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues, creative blocks, and other mental health problems.
Counselors can also be a tremendous asset in managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. They help you view a difficult problem from a new perspective or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you gain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn.
Here are some of the benefits of therapy:
- Attain a better understanding of yourself, your goals, and your values.
- Develop skills for improving your relationships.
- Find a resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy.
- Learn new ways to cope with stress and anxiety.
- Manage anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures.
- Improve communications and listening skills.
- Change old behavior patterns and develop new ones.
- Discover new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage.
- Improve your self-esteem and boost your self-confidence.
Q: Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
A: Everyone goes through challenging situations in life. Although you may have successfully navigated other difficulties, there’s nothing wrong with seeking extra support when you need it. In fact, going to therapy is something to be admired because you have enough self-awareness to realize you need a helping hand.
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 and equips you with the tools needed to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
Q: Why do people go to therapy, and how do I know if it is right for me?
A: People have many different motivations for going to psychotherapy. Some may be experiencing a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.) or are having a hard time handling stressful circumstances. Some people need help to manage 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 teach 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 pursue their goals in life more effectively. In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet challenges and make changes in their lives.
Q: What about medication vs. psychotherapy?
A: It is well established that you cannot solve mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that hinder our progress. An integrative approach to wellness is the best way to achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being. 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.
Q: What is therapy like?
A: Because each person has different issues and goals, therapy will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session.
The length of treatment depends on your specific needs. Therapy can be short-term to address a specific issue or longer-term to deal with more difficult patterns or achieve more personal development. Either way, scheduling regular sessions with your therapist (usually weekly) is the most common.
You will get better results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you apply what you learn in sessions to your life. Therefore, your therapist may suggest activities outside of therapy to support your progress, 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 actions.
Q: Do you take insurance, and how does that work?
A: Insurance is not currently accepted for services. However, your insurance carrier may still provide reimbursement directly to you for mental health services. Please contact your insurance company directly to determine if you have mental health coverage and what their process is for seeking reimbursement from them. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers.
Here are some helpful 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 reimburse for an out-of-network provider?
- What documentation must I provide to receive reimbursement for my mental health services?
Q: Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?
A: 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 that is usually not discussed anywhere except in the therapist’s office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in sessions will not be shared with anyone. This is called “informed consent.”
Sometimes, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (such as your physician, naturopath, or attorney). But by law, your therapist cannot release this information without your written permission.
However, state law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
- There is suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
- The therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.
In the situations described above, the therapist must report it to relevant the authorities, such as child protection services and law enforcement.