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 issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship problems, trauma, unresolved childhood issues, grief, and stress management. 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. 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 stress 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 marriage
- 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. Seeking treatment demonstrates that you have enough self-awareness to realize you need a helping hand. If you've already tried your normal coping skills and they aren't working, talking to a therapist can help you develop new coping skills. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits, giving you the tools you need to overcome life's challenges.
Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it is right for me?
People have many different reasons for coming to therapy, but what they all share in common is a desire to change the way they feel and behave. Therapy can play a key role in personal enlightenment, career development, optimal health and functioning, and collective engagement and empowerment.
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 learn the skills needed to facilitate your own individual and collective well-being. Therapy can be short-term or long-term. Clients usually schedule regular weekly sessions, but it can be more or less depending on the needs of the client. Clients will be introduced to skills learned in the office, which they will practice in their daily lives. Therapy may also involve reading, journaling, lifestyle changes, and other homework.
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. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. Medications combined with therapy can be very helpful. We can work with your prescribing doctors to assist you in optimizing benefits from medications.
What types of psychological testing do you provide?
We provide different types of psychological testing. These include diagnostic testing, personality testing, pre-employment evaluations, violence and threat assessments, suicide and self-harm evaluations, treatment progress, outcome measures, personal and career development, and relationship evaluations.
How does insurance work? Do I need insurance?
You do not have to have insurance. We accept cash clients, however, most people prefer to use insurance. Some sliding scale or pro-bono services are available. All health insurance covers mental health services. However, co-pays and deductibles vary. You can contact your insurance company or we can help you in determining what these costs will be to you. Most people with insurance pay a copay of approximately $20 per session.
Confidentiality.
All therapy is confidential regardless of whether you use insurance or pay cash. Thera are some limits to confidentiality, which your therapist will go over when explaining the process of informed consent.