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, stress management, body image issues and creative 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. 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. 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 avoid
triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you
face.
Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it 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. Some
people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low
self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems,
spiritual conflicts and creative blocks. Therapy can help provide some
much needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these
periods. Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more
about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life.
In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the
challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives.
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 report progress (or any new insights gained) from the
previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy
can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more
difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way,
it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your therapist (usually
weekly).
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, beyond the work you do in
therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest some things you can do outside
of therapy to support your process - such as reading a pertinent book,
journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking action
on your goals. People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive
changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility
for their lives.
How is online therapy conducted?
The group sessions and classes are conducted via a secure video platform.
The individul sessions and the evaluation consultation are offered via that
same platform or by telephone. The evaluation results and summary report can
also be emailed to the client, if preferred.
Why should I try online therapy over traditional face-to-face
therapy?
Individuals turn to online therapy for many reasons. I have listed a few below.
The convenience of being able to engage in therapy from your home or whatever location you choose.
It removes the travel obstacles for those who are homebound, living in remote areas, without childcare, or simply no means of transportation.
Privacy. Some individuals want help but for various reasons do not want to be seen visiting a therapist.
No travel time for the client and many therapist will hold sessions at unconventional times do to the freedom of place.
Is online therapy as effective as traditional face-to-face
therapy?
Yes. Studies have found that online therapy can be just as effective as
traditional therapy when conducted by a competent therapist.
Do you take insurance, and how does that work?
I do not accept insurance but you can pay with your credit or debit card
using Stripe via our secure site.
Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?
Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a
client and psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of
trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is 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, however, you may want your
therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your
healthcare team (your Physician, Naturopath, Attorney), but by law your
therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written
permission.
However, state law and professional ethics require
therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
* Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and
elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement,
based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
* If the
therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming
him/herself or has threated to harm another person.