Common Questions

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How can therapy help me?

A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management and body image issues. Many 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. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn.

You may find a resolution to issues or concerns, learn to manage anger, grief, depression or change old behavior patterns and develop new ones.

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 therapy. 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 or relationship problems. Therapy can help provide encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods. In short, people seeking therapy are ready to meet their challenges and make changes in their lives.

What is therapy like?

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 long-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development.

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 apply what you learn in session to your everyday life.

What about medication vs therapy

It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain the 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 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.

Do you take insurance, and how does that work?

Yes, please review our rates and insurance information here. Arrangements for reduced rates can be made in specific cases. Please contact me before your first session with any questions.

Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and therapist. 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:

* Past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders is suspected and must be reported 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 threatened to harm another person.