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 specific challenges and traumas. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, workplace conflicts and the hassles of daily life. As a therapist, I can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem and skills that can assist with succeeding in achieving your goals. 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 goals and values
- Developing skills for improving and solving problems in your relationships
- Finding resolution to issues or concerns
- 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
- Resolving trauma and reducing its impact on daily functioning
- 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. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. That is something to be admired. Therapy can provide 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 counseling. Some may be going through a major life transition or struggling with a range of other issues. Therapy can help provide some much needed encouragement and practical help with skills to get individuals through difficult periods. Other people may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or generally want to be more effective with their goals in life. In short, counseling is for people who are ready to meet the challenges and make changes in their lives, and would like some practical support and help along the way.
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 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. I usually recommend weekly or bi-weekly, depending on your needs.
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 session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, I 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 and/or practicing specific skills discussed in session. .
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. Most people can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. Working with your medical doctor or a psychiactic nurse you can determine what's best for you, and in some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. In other cases, individuals may prefer non-medication/holistic options, such as acupuncture, yoga, nutritional supplements or dietary changes, therapeutic massage, meditation/prayer practices, light therapy, etc. I am happy to collaborate with clients and their practitioners on whichever approach you prefer.
Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?
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 that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. I provide a written copy of my confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what we discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”. Sometimes, however, you may want me to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your Physician, Naturopath, Attorney), but by law I cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.
It is important to note, however, that state law and professional ethics require me to maintain confidentiality except for the following: a valid suspicion of threat to your personal safety, that of a child or that of a vulnerable adult must be reported to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, depending on information provided by you or collateral sources.
