How can therapy help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in
therapy. Attachment and Experiential Therapy's mission is to
empower clients with self-awareness and the tools to make life long
change. The principles of effective neuroscience have been well
studied and are demonstrating that you can change the way you
think, the way you feel and the way you interact with the world.
Attachment and Experiential Therapy uses leading edge neuroscience
principles. This leading edge approach distinguishes us from most
other therapy providers today.
In General
The aim of therapy is to provide support, build problem-solving skills, and enhance 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 therapy 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 benefits available from therapy include:
In General
The aim of therapy is to provide support, build problem-solving skills, and enhance 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 therapy 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 benefits available from therapy include:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
- Reduction of intensity, duration, and frequency of anxiety and depression experiences
- Greater ability to focus
- Greater ability to achieve a state of calm and have a clear mind
- Gaining a greater sense of your authentic voice and being better able to articulate it
- 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.
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 who
have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and
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. 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.
What is therapy like?
Because each person has different issues and goals for
therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. 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 to understand that you will get more results
from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The
ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in
session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in
therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest some things you can do
outside of therapy to support your process - such as reading a
pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular
behaviors or taking action on your goals. People seeking
psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives,
are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their
lives.
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 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 holistic approach to wellness. However,
it is important to work with your medical doctor to determine, in
some cases, if an underlying medical issue exists, and in some
cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course
of action.
Do you take insurance, and how does that
work?
To determine if you have mental health coverage through your
insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them.
Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their
answers. Some helpful questions you can ask them:
- What are my mental health benefits?
- What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
- How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
- How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
- Is approval required from my primary care physician?
Does what we talk about in therapy remain
confidential?
Confidentiality is one of the most important components
between a client and psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a
high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is
usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. Every
therapist should provide a written copy of their 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 your therapist to share
information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team
(your Physician, Naturopath, Attorney), but by law your therapist
cannot release this information without obtaining your written
permission.
However, state law and professional ethics require therapists
to maintain confidentiality except for the following
situations:
* Suspected past or
present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the
authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based
on information provided by the client or collateral
sources.
* If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is
seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threated to harm
another person.