What can therapy do for me?
There are a variety of benefits that can come from therapy, and they tend to be individualized. Therapists are there to provide levels of support, teach certain skills and concepts, and help clients discover new approaches for coping with life challenges like anxiety, depression, stress, or even creative blocks. You don’t need to have some kind of ‘major disorder’ to find usefulness from a therapist. In fact, if you’re simply looking for personal growth in any aspect of your life, you can typically find new approaches through therapy to help. Essentially, a therapist offers a different way of looking at things – perhaps a perspective you haven’t yet considered, which makes it easier to point you in the right direction, and engage in a meaningful behavior.
Of course, therapists can’t just ‘fix’ everything on their own. It is important to know that there isn’t a coping skill I can teach you that will “fix” or get rid of difficult emotions. It’s about using those resources you learn in your everyday life that can really turn things around. Still unsure about what therapy could do for you? Let’s take a look a few examples of some common benefits:
– Grasping a deeper understanding of who you are
– Identifying your values, goals, and dreams
– Obtaining skills for managing your relationships
– Managing problem areas in your personal life, like anxiety, depression, conflict, stress etc.
– Creating new patterns of behavior for yourself
– Changing your problem-solving perspective
– Boosting your self-esteem and confidence
If I feel as though I can handle my issues on my own, is therapy really necessary?
There isn’t a person alive who doesn’t experience challenges of some kind throughout their life. It’s never a bad idea to have additional support and understanding when it comes to life’s obstacles. In all actuality, therapy is ideal for people who understand themselves enough to realize they could use some support, rather than denying this need. Noticing that your life isn’t necessarily where you want it to be is a big realization, and taking the steps to change that for the better is something to be incredibly proud of. You’re taking the first step down a new path that can lead to long-lasting benefits, even when challenges inevitably come up again.
What makes people go to therapy in the first place? How do I know if it’s the right decision?
Everyone’s reasons for coming to therapy are different, whether they’re going through a big life change, or a specific event like ending a relationship, or just aren’t managing stress as well as they would like. While depression, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, and low self-esteem are common reasons to reach out for help, I believe that therapy can be helpful to anyone who is open to growth. You may start out looking for one thing, and find on your journey that you gain something different or more than expected.
In terms of making the ‘right decision’ for yourself, of course therapy is a personal decision, but if you take a look at your life, and your desire is to make a change that starts from within, it’s likely that some form of psychotherapy could be beneficial.
What can I expect from therapy?
Just like the reasons for therapy are different for everyone, most people can expect different experiences. The good news is that therapy is completely individually-focused, which is why everyone can get something different out of it. Generally, your life, your history, and any relevant insights will be important to the specific discussions, but in a very personal and individualized manner. Sometimes therapy can be focused on a specific need, while in other cases, many people go to therapy regularly to build more personal and long-term growth.
Again, therapy isn’t meant to be a ‘quick fix’ where you simply sit back and listen. It is a participatory experience. The more invested you are in the process, the more likely it is that you will see significant change. It’s a practice in everyday living, in which you take what you learn from the session, and apply it to your life. Therefore, it’s important to be mentally prepared to make those changes in your life, and desire new perspectives.
How should one consider medication vs. psychotherapy?
While there is evidence that medication can be helpful for many mental health challenges, there is also evidence that shows that therapy in combination with medication is more helpful than medication alone. Medication often treats the symptoms of a problem, without addressing the roots. The decision whether or not to take psychotropic medications is a highly personal one, and your personal wishes will be honored. If in the course of treatment, you decide you might benefit from medications, I will refer you to an appropriate provider.
People are turning more and more to holistic and natural alternatives to modern medicine to treat mental, physical and spiritual issues. I fully support alternative options you are interested in exploring to improve your well-being. I can refer you to professional holistic providers in the area for further consultation.
How does insurance factor into therapy?
Insurance companies and specific plans are all different – some offer mental health coverage, while others do not. The easiest way to find out if mental health care is covered by your provider is to contact them, to make sure you understand their options. If you’re looking for a good place to start when asking questions, you could consider 1) asking what their coverage amounts are for therapy sessions, 2) what an out-of-network provider might cost and whether your plan includes out-of-network benefits, 3) if prior authorization is required for therapy services, and 4) whether or not your plan covers therapy provided via telehealth. Don’t be afraid to ask enough questions so you feel confident in knowing how your insurance responds to mental health care!
If I am considered an “out-of-network” provider with your insurance plan, I will gladly provide a reimbursement form, sometimes called a “superbill” for you to submit.
There are also many reasons that clients may choose NOT use their insurance plan to pay for therapy including…
- Potential challenges related to having a mental health diagnosis on an insurance record
- Issues of confidentiality- Insurance companies will have access to clinical information and they have a right to audit client records
- Managed care- Insurance providers believe that all clients should fit specific treatment goals and outcomes, regardless of who they are. They can also dictate how frequently clients can use their insurance to pay for services, as well as which services they are able to access even with the same provider.
Do the topics in each therapy session remain private?
There is practically nothing more important in therapy than confidentiality. As with any provider/client agreement, your privacy is of the utmost importance. I understand the vulnerability it takes to share your most personal experiences with me, and trust develops over time. Nothing you share in your sessions will be shared with any other party, with the rare exceptions of 1) suspected abuse of any minor, elder, or dependent adult, 2) if I have any reason to believe that the client may harm themselves or others, and 3) if I receive a court order from a judge to share your information. I strive for the highest level of professionalism and care and, as such, follow HIPAA’s protocols for keeping your records secure and accounted for.