How can therapy help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in
solution-focused therapy to manage anxiety.. Therapists can provide support,
problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as
depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief
and stress management. Many people also find that counselors can be an asset
in managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, and
the hassles of daily life many of which are deeply affected by chronic
anxiety.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 your
values
Managing anxiety in a more effective manner
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. Often
individuals can work through difficult life circmstances on thier own without
the help of a therapist. However, if you have been struggling with high to
moderate levels of anxiety for some time, which you have been unable to mange,
it may be helpful to learn more effective strategies for coping. There are
tools and resources that will give you a better understanding of anxiety and
help you manage overwhelming symptoms. It is important to understand that
anxiety disorders are very amenable to treatable and with the correct tools
you may be able to lead a life that is less stressful and overwhelming.
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.
Effective treatment for anxiety disorders will include assignments completed
outside of the therapy session designed specifically for the individual and
what type of anxiety he or she may be experiencing. Additional assignments -
such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting
particular behaviors or taking action on your goals may be discussed. 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
integrative approach to wellness. Oftentimes anxiety can be treated
effectively without the use of medication and at other times sometimes
medication is needed. Working with your therapist and 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?
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.