What Is Therapy and Can It Help Me?

Psychotherapy is an active collaboration between therapist and client. It isn't always easy. But people willing to work in close partnership with their therapist often find relief from their emotional distress and begin to lead more productive and fulfilling lives.
In all modes of therapy, you will establish goals, as well as discovering the steps you will take to get there.  Whether in individual, couples or group, your relationship with your therapist is a confidential one, and one that focuses on not only the content of what you are talking about, but also the process.  The therapeutic process, or how you share your feelings and experiences, is considered to be just as important.  


What can I expect?In general, you can expect that as your therapist, I will be someone who supports you, listens attentively, models a healthy and positive relationship experience, gives you appropriate feedback and and follows ethical guidelines.  

Most therapy depends on communication between the therapist and client.  It is however much more than just talking about your problems.  While family and friends can help you feel better or even provide good advice, it is not the same as therapy.  Psychotherapy is a professional relationship between a therapist and a client that is based on therapeutic principles, structure and technique.   Our relationship is strictly professional, meaning that it exists only and solely for the purpose of helping you the client.  I am there for you to work together to reach your goals and expect nothing in return other than payment for the time.
It is important to know that this relationship differs from all others in that it is strictly confidential.  With the exceptions of plans to harm yourself or others, you can talk your heart without having to worry about your information being told to others or in anyway affecting your job, family, or relationships.  You can be honest without having to worry about offending friends or family.  



How do I know if Therapy will work?
You cannot know ahead of time, however, in one of the most extensive surveys taken, a Consumer Report asked its readers about their experience of psychotherapy.  Of 7,000 subscribers who responded 4,100 saw mental health professionals.  Most reported feeling better with therapy, regardless of whether they were treated by a psychologist, psychiatrist or a social worker.  Those in long-term therapy reported more improvement than those in short-term therapy.


The Issues that Bring People to Therapy and Counseling include: A feeling that life could be more satisfying than it is, that one could feel better about oneself, feel less stressed, and more easily reach one's potential goals. Wanting to feel more effective and comfortable in relationships, wanting to stop repeating the same problems with your partner or your children, parents, coworkers and friends. Wanting to communicate better and resolve conflicts more effectively. Feeling stressed and anxious; having difficulties at work or school, problems concentrating or sleeping, fighting with family members, and experiencing failing health. Coping with stressful life events such as a relationship breakup or divorce, a chronic or life threatening illness or death of a loved one. Feeling as if life is too difficult to manage. Wanting to stop feeling trapped and victimized by one's past. Wanting to move beyond haunting memories of early experiences such as growing up in a family with addictions or being abused as a child or adolescent. 
Wanting to gain greater insight into oneself. Wanting to discover why one behaves in certain ways and to learn why certain experiences trigger feelings that seem to come from nowhere.  


What Kind of People Go into Therapy or Counseling? People who want to get the most out of life. People who value their mental and emotional well-being. People who do not want to settle for the status quo. People who value learning. People who value problem solving. People who what to learn more about themselves and what they do that works and what they do that doesn't people who recognize that from time to time it is okay and beneficial to seek assistance in coping with issues that are too difficult to deal with on their own People that know therapy does NOT mean something is wrong with them. People who realize therapy is for those who value felling healthy. People just like YOU!