Common Questions:
Is therapy right for me?
Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Working with a therapist can help develop insight, provide support, and learn 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? 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. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. 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, giving you the tools you need to manage and overcome whatever challenges you face.
How can therapy help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Most often the greatest results are obtained by those who actively engage in the process and apply what they learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
What is therapy like?
The first thing you can count on is a safe atmosphere of respect, compassion and understanding. Therapy is an active process unique and tailored to you and your specific goals. Initially we will asses your primary issues and concerns, talk about your goals, and discuss a plan for our work together. Throughout the course of therapy we may process recent or past experiences, explore thoughts and feelings, uncover negative patterns, and engage in effective activities to develop insight, and practice new strategies. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading, practicing skills, or keeping records to track certain behaviors and thoughts. This will help you process and apply what has been discussed, and integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective, active participation during and between the sessions is needed.
Is medication a substitute for therapy?
In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your medical doctor, you can determine what's best for you. It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause often 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, biopsychosocial approach to wellness.
Is therapy confidential?
The law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and therapist and no information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. These include:
- If you are at risk of harming yourself or others
- If there is report or suspicion of child or vulnerable person abuse or neglect
- If there is a court subpoena
Is therapy right for me?
Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Working with a therapist can help develop insight, provide support, and learn 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? 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. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. 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, giving you the tools you need to manage and overcome whatever challenges you face.
How can therapy help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Most often the greatest results are obtained by those who actively engage in the process and apply what they 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 for unresolved issues from the past
- Learning new ways to cope with and express difficult emotions
- Improving communication and listening skills
- Changing old behavior and/or thinking patterns that have kept you stuck
- Discovering new ways to solve problems that come up in your life
- Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
What is therapy like?
The first thing you can count on is a safe atmosphere of respect, compassion and understanding. Therapy is an active process unique and tailored to you and your specific goals. Initially we will asses your primary issues and concerns, talk about your goals, and discuss a plan for our work together. Throughout the course of therapy we may process recent or past experiences, explore thoughts and feelings, uncover negative patterns, and engage in effective activities to develop insight, and practice new strategies. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading, practicing skills, or keeping records to track certain behaviors and thoughts. This will help you process and apply what has been discussed, and integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective, active participation during and between the sessions is needed.
Is medication a substitute for therapy?
In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your medical doctor, you can determine what's best for you. It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause often 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, biopsychosocial approach to wellness.
Is therapy confidential?
The law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and therapist and no information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. These include:
- If you are at risk of harming yourself or others
- If there is report or suspicion of child or vulnerable person abuse or neglect
- If there is a court subpoena
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