How can therapy help me?
Participating in therapy can lead to a number of benefits. Therapists can provide problem solving skills, support, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as addiction, stress management, relationship problems, grief, anxiety, depression and unresolved childhood issues. Counselors can offer fresh perspectives on a difficult issue or point you in the direction of a soluton. The benefits obtained from therapy depend upon how well you utilize the process and practice what you learn.
Some of the benefits of therapy are:
- Gaining a better understanding of your values and goals
- Developing skills for improving your relationships
- Finding resolution to the issues that led you to seek therapy
- Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Managing anger, depression, anxiety, and other emotional pressures
- Improving communication and listening skills
- Developing new behavior patterns and letting go of old ones
- Improving self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it is right for me?
People have many different motivations for seeking psychotherapeutic help. Some may be going through a major life transition while others may be handling stressful situations in familiar but unhealthy ways. Therapy can provide a sense of support and a safe place for individuals to learn the skills that will get them through challenging times. People participate in therapy to grow, learn about themselves, and find new ways to achieve their life goals. In short, those seeking help through psychotherapy feel ready to make changes with respect to the challenges in their lives.
What is therapy like?
Therapy will be different depending upon the needs and goals of each individual, couple, and family. In general, you can expect to discuss current events that are happening in your life, personal history relevant to your issues, and any progress or new insights gained from the previous therapy session. In accordance with each client's needs, therapy can be short-term or long-term and can address one specific issue or a range of concerns. Therapy is commonly scheduled on a consistent and regular basis (usually every week).
It is important to understand that you will get the most out of therapy by actively participating in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to apply insights gained during session into daily life. Your therapist may suggest some things to do outside of therapy to help the process of healing (i.e. journaling specific topics, noting certain behaviors, reading a helpful book, or taking action on your goals). People seeking therapy are open to hearing new perspectives, feel ready to make positive changes, and want to take responsibility for their lives.
How about medication v. therapy?
It has been well established that the long term solution to emotiona and mental problems, along with the pain they cause, involves much more than medication alone. Instead of just treating symptoms, 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 by engaging in an integrative approach to wellness. Working with your medical doctor, you can determine what is best for you. In some cases, a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.
Confidentiality is one of the most important components between client and therapist. Successful therapy requires a great degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter usually not discussed anywhere but 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 session will not be shared with anyone; this is called “Informed Consent.” Sometimes, you may want your therapist to share information with someone else on your healthcare team (physician, attorney); by law, your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission. Both state law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality. There are exceptions, however and therapists are mandated by law to report the following:
-
Suspected past and present abuse or neglect of children, dependant adults, and elders to the authorities, including child protective services and law enforcement based upon information provided by clients or collateral sources.
- If the therapist has reason to suspect a client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threated to harm another person.