If I decide to see a therapist, does this mean I am crazy? The answer is most definitely NO! The fact that you are reaching out and wanting to receive professional help is very healthy. Let's face it; life is stressful! Counseling can enable you to understand the patterns and themes that have prevailed throughout your entire life. It takes great courage to step forward and ask for help while you are feeling so stuck. I personally find that , at times, talking to friends and family is not helpful because they are on your side. Sometimes we hold back our true feelings because we do not want to be judged by others. It can be very helpful to talk to an outside party to help us see an unbiased view of what is happening in our world.
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 is 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 are 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 may face.
Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it is right for me? People have many different motivations fo coming to therapy. Some may be going through a major life transistion (career change, unemployment, divorce, 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, 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 therapy are ready to meet 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 each 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 "homework" you can do outside of therapy to support your process - such as journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors, or taking actions on your goals. People seeking therapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives.
What about medication vs. therapy? 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 symptoms, 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 integrative approach to wellness. Working with your medical provider you can determine what is best for you, 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? Yes I take most major insurance plans. 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? * What is my co-pay? * How many therapy sessions does my plan cover? * Do I have a deductible to meet before insurance will cover my therapy sessions? * Do I need a referral from my primary care physician?