Is therapy right for me?

People seek therapy for a variety of reasons. Some look for help dealing with long-standing psychological issues, including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and creative blocks. Others come to therapy in response to unexpected changes in one's life such (e.g. divorce or work transition). Many seek advice and counsel as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.

Do I really need therapy? 

While you’ve likely navigated successfully through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. By choosing therapy, you are taking responsibility, accepting where you're at in life, and making a commitment to change the situation. 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.

How can therapy help me?

Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies. Many people also find that a counselor can be a tremendous asset as they work to manage 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. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
Developing skills for improving your relationships
Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
Improving communications and listening skills
Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
Preventing life's stressors from threatening your physical health.
Building your confidence and resilience to meet challenges head-on
Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

What is therapy like? 

Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. Therapists usually discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. Sessions are often around fifty-minutes once a week. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. For therapy to be most effective, you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions.

Here are some things you can expect out of therapy:

Compassion, respect and understanding
Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance

How long will therapy take?

People often start to feel better after a few sessions, and for many problems, short-term treatment (12-15 sessions) is effective. Often, however, people want to stay in therapy for more than a few months to tackle persistent problems and resolve long-standing issues. I try to provide efficient treatment that will help you get on with your life as quickly as possible.

What will happen on the first visit?

Our first session is billed as a diagnostic interview, but it is also a chance for you to decide if we are a good fit. During our first hour together, you can tell me about yourself and your background, and what sort of treatment you are looking for. You can also ask me questions about my background, therapy approach, and practice policies. If you feel you have good rapport with me and that I can provide the treatment that will be most helpful to you, we will then discuss scheduling. If we decide that I may not be the best therapist for you, I will help refer you to another provider who may better suit your needs.

Is medication a substitute for therapy?
 
This depends on your specific circumstances. People with more severe symptoms may benefit from adding medications, particularly for disorders like depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and psychotic disorders. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you. At the same time, it is well established that medication alone is a poor long-term solution to mental and emotional problems. In some cases, taking prescription medications may produce harmful side effects, result in addiction, or even hinder the effects of the treatment itself. Therefore, we will work together to carefully analyze whether psychiatric medications are appropriate for your needs.

Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?

To determine if you have mental health coverage, check with your insurance carrier to answer the following questions:

Am I on your list of in-network providers?
How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
Is the full cost of treatment covered, or only part?
Is there a copayment?
Is there a limit on the number of visits, or an annual/lifetime maximum?
Is pre-authorization or a referral required?
If your plan only covers “medically necessary” treatment, how is that determination made?
What can you do if your coverage is denied or cut short?

Is therapy confidential?

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client. There are some rare exceptions, described in my New Patient Packet, related to legal or dangerous situations or when you have specifically authorized me to release information. In all other cases, I keep the information you share in session absolutely private.