Why Therapy?
Everyone wants more joy and peace, less stress, purpose, connection, and meaning in their life. We want to feel good about ourselves and build meaningful relationships with our friends and family. We want to feel secure in the knowledge that we are okay and “good enough”. We want to forgive and be forgiven. Unfortunately life can throw challenges at us that make these goals feel difficult or even impossible. These obstacles can feel painful, frustrating, even embarrassing at times. We can struggle with a sense of overwhelm or depression that our busy and stressful lives can bring.
Therapy provides a safe place to “talk out loud” about your issues and concerns while the therapist provides compassionate deep listening, support and validation. Sometimes all that is needed is a fresh perspective, new ways of seeing or education about human behavior. The new tools, skills, self-knowledge and strengths developed in therapy can then be used to maximize our progress. These are some of the benefits attainable through therapy:
● Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
● 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
● Developing skills for improving your relationships
● Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
● Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
What is Therapy like?
First and foremost, it is my hope and intention that therapy be a meaningful experience for you. Each person’s journey through the therapy process will be different but some things are the same. Initially, information will be gathered about your life, history, and current circumstances to assist in developing a more complete picture of you and your concerns. If you are not familiar with the therapy process, you may not be comfortable sharing certain information at first. That’s okay and not uncommon. You are encouraged to share your apprehension so it can be addressed. During therapy, there will occasionally be some suggested “homework” to enhance a skill or issue currently being explored. This could be a book to read, a video to watch, or some journaling. You will also be encouraged to practice your new tools out in your world and report your progress or challenges.. Most of all, therapy is an interactive process and the more you actively participate, the more satisfying you will find it.
Is Therapy Confidential?
There are Limits to Confidentiality as follows:
Insurance Providers
If you choose to use your insurance as a third-party payer, the Therapist must provide a diagnosis to them In order to receive compensation.
The insurance company may also request other information such as types of service, dates/times of service, diagnosis, treatment plan, description of impairment, progress of therapy, case notes, summaries, etc
Duty to Warn and Protect:
If you disclose a plan to harm yourself, the Therapist is required to attempt to notify your family and notify legal authorities.
If you disclose a plan or credible threat to harm another person, the therapist is required to warn the possible victim and notify legal authorities.
Abuse of Children and Vulnerable Adults:
If you disclose, or it is suspected, that there is abuse or harmful neglect of children or vulnerable adults (i.e. the elderly, disabled/incompetent), the Therapist must report this information to the appropriate state agency and/or legal authorities
Prenatal Exposure to Controlled Substances
Therapists must report any admitted prenatal exposure to controlled substances that could be harmful to the mother or the child