Is psychotherapy right for me?
There are many reasons to seek psychotherapy. Each of us experiences difficult situations periodically. Life Transitions or Unexpected Changes may create a desire to talk things over with an objective, compassionate psychotherapist. Sometimes people feel "Stuck" in their life and want assistance in moving forward. Others feel Depressed or Anxious and can't seem to shake it off. Some people want to pursue their own Personal Exploration and Growth. Still others are aware they need an Energetic Shift.
There are times when couples love each other, yet haven't been able to communicate; achieve harmony or get their needs met. This is a great time to seek the counsel of a professional with years of experience who has been married for 30+ years and raised children of her own.
Working with a psychotherapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. PsychoTherapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, relationship struggles, conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general life transitions.
Psychotherapy 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. Many clients have reported that they experience a sense of relief once they make an appointment to meet with me.
Do I really need psychotherapy? I can usually handle my problems.
The need for therapy might be compared to the need for any other Profession in our lives. Many of us have enlisted the help of an Auto Mechanic; Personal Trainer; Financial Planner, Accountant, Physician, Dentist, or Attorney, to name
just a few. Regularly scheduled check-ups are needed to ensure continued well-being. Periodic tune-ups may be needed during extraordinary circumstances or perhaps after a period of neglect., to prevent distress or
dis-ease in a particular area of one's life. Professionals are needed when an area of our life needs repair or healing beyond our personal capabilities. No matter how competent one might be, sooner or later we all face a dilemma which requires more skills or training than we possess. These are the times that it is necessary to consult a psychotherapist.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life. Altough 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, psychotherapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they could use a "sounding board." You are to be admired when you take responsibility by acknowledging that seeking objective input can't hurt your current circumstances. You are making a commitment to change your circumstances by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support; giving you the tools you need to look at your situation from a different angle, avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
How can therapy help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. Psychotherapists can provide support, teach additional problem-solving skills and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, creative or energetic blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing 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. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn.
Previous clients have listed the following benefits of therapy:
- Better understanding of myself, my goals and values
- Improved relationship skills
- Practical resolutions to specific issues and concerns
- Better ways to cope with stressful and anxiety -producing life situations
- Acquired skills that reduce or eliminated anxiety
- Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
- Improved communications and listening skills
- Eliminated destructive old habits and developed new constructive habits
- Discovered new ways to solve problems in our family and our marriage
- Improved my self-esteem and boosted my self-confidence
What is psychotherapy like?
Every psychotherapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. Therapy is most effective when a person is an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives.
It is standard for a therapist to discuss your life's current primary issues and concerns during therapy sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts fifty minutes. 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. It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions.
What you can expect out of therapy:
- Compassion, respect and understanding
- Skills to approach goals from a different Perspectives
- Real strategies for enacting positive change
- Effective, proven techniques along with practical guidance
Is medication a substitute for psychotherapy?
It is well established that the long-term solution to painful mental and emotional problems cannot be solved solely by medication. Studies have shown that a combination of medication and psychotherapy can be the most effective course of action. You and your medical doctor can determine what's best for you. Instead of just treating the symptom with medication, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns or energetic blocks that prevent our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.
Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?
I am always happy to provide a 1500 HCFMA form to You. You may choose to submit that form to your medical insurance company for reimbursement. Check your medical insurance coverage prior to psychotherapy to ascertain what your benefits actually cover. In most cases, an insurance company PPO and/or an ERISA PPO plan may reimburse a portion of services.
Determine if you have mental health coverage and/or major medical coverage. Check your coverage carefully and find the answers to the following questions:
- What are my mental health benefits?
- Do I have a Mental Health Parity Diagnosis? If so, what are my Major Medical Health benefits?
- What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
- Is there a yearly limit to my plan coverage for Mental Health or Major Medical Health psychotherapy sessions?
- How much does my insurance pay for an Out-of-Network Provider?
- How does my Major Medical Coverage for a Parity Diagnosis differ from my Mental Health benefits?
- Is a Referral required from my Primary Care Physician?
Is psychotherapy 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.
However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:
- Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. Once revealed to the therapist, she is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
- If a client is threatening serious bodily harm or property damage to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.
- If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.