Frequently Asked Questions:

Will therapy help me? 
Therapists can provide emotional support, active listening, mirroring, role playing, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship and/or communication difficulties.  Therapy can also help with unresolved childhood issues, grief (past or present) and facilitate better management of stress.  Many people also find that they can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. 

Is therapy right for me?  

Everyone will hit a speed bump in their life.  Some have more speed bumps than others.  When the bumps are happening or feel as if they are happening more frequently, there is nothing wrong with seeking out professional support when you need it.  Those who seek therapy are exhibiting enough insight to realize they need a helping hand and accepting that their present situation needs to change. Therapy can provide life long benefits.  Therapy can provide you with the tools you need self manage when a negative or harmful trigger is pressed and to assist your future self in overcoming future speed bumps.  In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges they are facing in their lives and are ready to make changes. 

  

What is therapy like?

Every person is unique and thus bring their own unique set of issues to work on into a session.  In general, on the first visit you can expect to discuss who you are, answer general broad questions allowing the therapist to get to know you and providing you with an opportunity to decide if the therapist is the right fit.  For follow up sessions you should be prepared to discuss your current life happenings inclusive of the stress or grief that have brought you to therapy, your personal history relevant that may be relevant, and to report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy sessions.  

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 to bi-weekly.

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What about medication vs. therapy?  

As your therapist I may encourage you to discuss medication intervention with your primary care physician.  However, many medical professionals will encourage you to not only seek medication, but to remain actively involved in an open dialogue with a therapist to treat the mind alongside the body.  It is my belief and hope for you that you will sustain the growth and changes that therapy will provide whilst taking an integrative approach to your wellness.