“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.

“Why do people go to therapy and how do I know it's 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.

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

How about medication vs. therapy?

It has been well established that the long term solution to emotional 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.  

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). Professional therapy should always be done with the highest standards and should never include sex.   

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.