How do I know if I need therapy?

I believe therapy can be beneficial for ANYONE. Having an objective, unbiased sounding board to provide feedback and assist you in gaining insight is invaluable. Several clients report it feels better to talk to someone they "don't know" about particular problems in an effort to obtain a different perspective.

Social stigma has categorized therapy as only being applicable to those with a diagnosable "mental illness," however a large portion of my practice consists of clients who are dealing with significant life transitions, or even a build up of small stressors that have impacted their level of functioning.  There is even a term for this in the field of psychology: "the worried well." Therapy can be beneficial to resolve underlying conflicts and process through thoughts & feelings.  

I also provide treatment to clients who are having more debilitating experiences that are impairing their functioning to some degree. There are a variety of behaviors that can accompany difficult emotions.  If you've noticed you have become more isolative/withdrawn, have excessive worry or irritability, are engaging in self-destructive behaviors, have difficulty getting along with others, have declined in school/work performance, react impulsively, etc, then it may be time to seek help from a professional.  

What can I expect from therapy?

The typical progression of therapy is as follows:

1. Assessment

I typically spend 1-2 sessions conducting an intake assessment with clients.  This may feel a bit like an interview, but its purpose is to obtain information about what may be contributing to your current experience.  I will ask questions pertaining to precipitating events and relevant history.  It then depends on your individual needs to determine which therapeutic approaches I use. 

2. Stabilization

Stabilization involves identifying immediate areas of concern where intervention and symptom relief are vital. Stabilization can involve different things for different people. Typically, stabilization focuses on self-care issues (nutrition, sleep, exercise, work/life balance, relationships, etc.). The therapeutic relationship continues developing through compassion, acceptance, and mutual respect.

3. Symptom Relief

This phase varies to a great extent, based on the unique challenges of the individual. For example, if you are healing from excessive levels of stress and anxiety, you may experience a greater sense of peace, an enhanced ability to be engaged in life without chronic stress, or improved sleep and nutrition habits.

4. Skills, Tools, Cognitions, and Behaviors

This phase is all about addressing your beliefs and filters (those which serve you and those that are causing impairment). We also identify tools and skills you would like to strengthen and those you would like to replace. We focus on developing an understanding of how your unique experiences and coping skills contribute to your actions and behaviors. We engage in learning new skills and healthy coping strategies.

5. Self-Acceptance and Appreciation

This is the phase in which we get to celebrate your progress and continue applying your new tools for self-management and personal well-being. You are developing a deeper sense of trust in yourself and enhancing your self-confidence. You are learning to appreciate who you are in relationship to yourself and to others.

6. Transformative Change

Embracing transformative change and the mastery of new skills takes time. In this phase, you are adjusting to new feelings, self-confidence, and self-esteem, and becoming well-practiced in your new skills. You have experienced letting go of old skills and patterns that no longer serve you and you respond actively to life and its many opportunities.

Is therapy confidential?

Everything discussed between the two of us is confidential unless you are perceived to be a risk of harm to yourself or others. There are limitations to confidentiality if you involve your insurance company for reimbursement. This requires me to provide a diagnosis code, and this becomes part of your permanent medical record.