Is therapy right for me?

Seeking therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy or seek therapy for their loved ones. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues,  problems with anxiety or depression, or difficulty coping with the aftermath of traumatic events that have occured.   Other times it is because a parent is worried about their child or having difficulty managing their child or adolescent's behavior. Many seek counseling in response to unexpected changes in their life such as a divorce or work transition or as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide guidance, insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking personal responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, learning more adaptive coping skills and working towards change in their lives.

Do I/we really need therapy?  I/we can usually handle 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 and families who have realized they need a helping hand for themselves or their loved ones. You are taking responsibility 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, change damaging patterns or behavior, and overcome whatever challenges you or your family member is dealing with.

How can therapy with a psychologist help me?

A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. 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 therapists can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the stress 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 family, your goals and values
• Developing skills for improving your relationships
• Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy for yourself or child
• 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

What is therapy like? 

Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. In therapy sessions, psychologists explore the primary issues and concerns that brought their clients to seek therapy assistance . It is common to schedule weekly or twice weekly sessions, with each session lasting approximately fifty minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective you and/or your loved one must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are often willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Therapy with children/adolescents is a little different as oftentimes, they have not recognized that a problem exists, what their role is in the situation and how things can change. The psychologists role then is in making the young person feel comfortable with being in therapy and then working together to understand the issues and work on solutions together.

Here are some things you can expect out of therapy:

• Compassion, respect and understanding
• Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
• Real strategies for enacting positive change
• Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance
  

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/psychiatrist can help you 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 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 approach to wellness.