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Common Questions

How can therapy help me?
 
Life is hard! There are a number of benefits derived from participating in therapy. A good therapist will engage you in your own healing process, while teaching you enhanced coping strategies, problem-solving skills, and helping you develop your strengths and self-esteem. Therapy has been proven effective for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, trauma, 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 other benefits of  herapy 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.  
  
Did I mention that life is hard? Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, sometimes you just need some 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 the strength to ask for it. 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.Yet others have been through terrible traumas, years of childhood abuse -- or have gotten a diagnosis for a life or lifestyle-threatening illness and are feeling overwhelmed. 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 that will help them move forward...and really live their lives. 
 
  
What is therapy like?
 
Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual's challenge and age.  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 for you to know that EMDR Therapy is different from regular "talk therapy" in that it is a more structured process. My goal in either type of therapy is to make you feel safe, comfortable, and unjudged so that you can truly explore the problem that brought you to therapy and ultimately rise above it.
 
As a Cognitive-Behavioral therapist, I know that the more you are engaged and participate in your therapeutic process, the more successful your therapy will be. Therefore, I will often give simple homework to keep you focused between counseling sessions. This can be as simple as journaling, doing a self-assessment, or even expanding your comfort zone in some area. The ultimate purpose of therapy, after all,  is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life.    
 
 
What about medication vs. psychotherapy?  
 
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 your distress and the behavior patterns that curb your progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.  Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you, and in some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. 
 
 
Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?
 
I consider it a privilege to sit with a client and be entrusted with that person's feelings, pain, hopes and dreams. Therefore, confidentiality is the cornerstone of my practice. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office.  I will provide you with a written and signed copy of my 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 me to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your Physician, Naturopath, Attorney) If this is the case, I will have you sign a written consent form, specifiying who I will be able to speak with and what I can or cannot disclose.
 
There are a couple of situations, however, where state law and professional ethics require therapists to break confidentiality:
         * If I had reason to believe that you presented as a danger to yourself or to someone else and
         * If I had reason to suspect that you were actively abusing a child or senior, or someone else in your care.
In both of these situations, as a mandatory reporter, I would have to notify the relevant authorities to ensure the safety of yourself or others.
 
 
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