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 troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, and stress management. A therapist 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 and manage emotions

• Change old behavior patterns and developing new ways to solve problems

How do I know if therapy is right for me?

People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy.   Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Therapy can help provide encouragement and new skills to get through these periods or help discover new life goals. 

  

What should I expect?

Each person has different issues and goals for therapy, so therapy will be different depending on the individual.  In general, you can expect to discuss the what is happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, report progress  and any new insights gained from the previous session.  Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term or longer-term. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your therapist (usually weekly).

Furhter, 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, I often will suggest homework or ways to practice the skills we have reviewed, journaling, or specific readings to support the work we do in therapy sessions.

 

Do you take insurance?

Yes. Services may be covered in full or in part by your health insurance or employee benefit plan. Please check your coverage carefully by asking the following questions to determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers.  Some helpful questions you can ask them:

• What are my mental health benefits?

• What is the coverage amount per therapy session?

• How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?

• How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?

• Is approval required from my primary care physician? 

 

Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?

 

Confidentiality is one of the most important components to successful therapy, which requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office.  In our first session we will review and sign a  confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. Sometimes, however, you may want me to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team, but by law your I cannot release this information without obtaining your permission first.

Exceptions to confidentiality:

• If you are a danger to yourself or others

• If you threaten to harm someone physically or destroy property

• If you disclose known or suspected abuse of or a child

• If you disclose domestic violence in your marriage

• If you disclose the abuse or neglect of a dependent

• If a court subpoenas me to testify or subpoenas my records

• If your insurance company requires information about your diagnosis and/or your treatment