Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in psychotherapy?
Through interaction with the therapist, clients explore the issues that brought them to therapy. Conversations focus on the client, their perceptions and beliefs about themselves, the impact of their childhood on the present and the negative patterns that continue to repeat themselves.
Clients often experience a significant shift in their perspective about life. Feelings of helplessness diminish and bring about growth and change. This is because an increased awareness usually leads to changed thought patterns, changed emotional reactions, and then changed behaviors. Specific possible benefits include: decreased stress, anxiety, or depression; more satisfying relationships with others; increased hope that you can effectively navigate stressful situations in the future; satisfaction with yourself that you have "finally addressed the problem;" or relief that your current problem is not going to keep you feeling bad for very long.
Clients often experience a significant shift in their perspective about life. Feelings of helplessness diminish and bring about growth and change. This is because an increased awareness usually leads to changed thought patterns, changed emotional reactions, and then changed behaviors. Specific possible benefits include: decreased stress, anxiety, or depression; more satisfying relationships with others; increased hope that you can effectively navigate stressful situations in the future; satisfaction with yourself that you have "finally addressed the problem;" or relief that your current problem is not going to keep you feeling bad for very long.
How can simply talking about a problem fix it?
In our action-oriented society, we usually want to know several action steps that we can take in order to solve our problems. The idea of patiently thinking or talking about a given problem seems almost ridiculous and certainly a waste of time. But truly meaningful, significant change has to begin from within and changing from within requires self-awareness and enough confidence in oneself to initiate change. And although talking about a problem in itself won't fix it, psychotherapy ultimately leads to changes in behaviors that cause the problems. The process of understanding your own role in the problems that continually present themselves and making changes outside of the therapy sessions is what "fixes it".
How is therapy different than talking to a good friend?
Psychotherapists are trained to listen and focus in ways that are different from how a friend will hear you. They understand what the client is stating in comparison to a friend whose motivations are often more complex and personal. The therapeutic relationship has boundaries that allow a deeper exploration of meanings and feelings to take place. Knowing a session will begin and end at certain times, that all material is held strictly confidential, and that the therapist's interests are only in the therapeutic process, allow for a unique setting.
Can't self help books or attending workshops provide the same thing?
Our emotional growth occurs, or is limited by, early relationships. It is through the therapeutic relationship that growth and change happen. Most clients have already tried several different ways to deal with their problems by the time they come in for psychotherapy. In psychotherapy, problems and the application of solutions to those problems can be discussed in great detail. Although one can experience renewed motivation to deal with their problems by taking in more information, it is ultimately emotion that drives behavior, not the intellect.
How long does psychotherapy take?
There is no time limit put on psychotherapy. Some clients experience benefits in a short period of time (six months or less), and others continue treatment for some years. The average patient remains in therapy for about two years. Staying in therapy longer is neither a sign of excessive dependence nor severity of illness. It takes a lifetime to develop the attitudes and character traits that contribute to emotional stress, and generally, although not always, time is required for change. Therapy often transforms into personal development after a period of time and the therapist becomes a coach as well as therapist, helping the client build life skills.
How do I know if I need long-term or short-term therapy?
While you may not know which type of treatment you need, you are probably aware of how long you have been dealing with the issue that you want to resolve. And while many factors determine how short or long your treatment will be, one of the best indicators of how much time it will take to resolve your issue is simply how much time has gone by since you began struggling with the issue. Typically, an issue with a short history (up to only a few years or so) is probably able to be resolved using a short-term treatment approach. An issue with a long history (from several years to perhaps many years) will probably respond best to a long-term treatment approach.
What can I expect in the first session?
During the first session, you will find out how therapy can help you and how long it will take to resolve the issues that are troubling you. It is an opportunity to share information about your personal history and current situation and to gather information about the therapist’s qualifications and practice orientation. Information regarding what to expect from the therapy process will be provided, including the anticipated benefits of therapy as well as the limits of its ability to help. Also information about the investment required in terms of time, effort, and cost will be addressed. Other information provided includes identifying possible alternatives to psychotherapy and discussing your rights and responsibilities as a client.
Are sessions confidential?
Generally, what you say in therapy sessions will be kept confidential. However, there are circumstances under which exceptions do exist. The following is not a complete list of exceptions to confidentiality but it does contain a few of the more common ones:
- You are a threat to harm yourself or someone else
- Child abuse or neglect is suspected
- Your treatment records are requested by subpoena
- To collect payment for services rendered
I am afraid I will fall apart if I start talking about my feelings. How often does this happen?
Many people are conditioned to believe that the expression of feelings is "weak". They control and contain them for so long that the notion that they will fall apart becomes a very real fear. Most people who begin therapy release feelings once they begin to feel safe with the therapist. And it is common for clients to feel a great sense of relief after letting their feelings out during a session.
How can I afford psychotherapy at the rates charged if I don't have insurance coverage?
If you have struggled with a problem issue for some time and are tired of it, the importance of alleviating it becomes more and more valuable to you over time. Another thought on this issue is that we spend our money according to how much we value something, that is, we put our money where our priorities lie. So if changing the quality of your marriage, career, or any other area of your life is a high priority, it will be money well spent.
What is art therapy?
According to The American Art Therapy association; art therapy is an established mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. It is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.
Art therapy integrates the fields of human development, visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms), and the creative process with models of counseling and psychotherapy. Art therapy is used with children, adolescents, adults, older adults, groups, and families to assess and treat the following: anxiety, depression, and other mental and emotional problems and disorders; mental illness; substance abuse and other addictions; family and relationship issues; abuse and domestic violence; social and emotional difficulties related to disability and illness; trauma and loss; physical, cognitive, and neurological problems; and psychosocial difficulties related to medical illness. Art therapy programs are found in a number of settings including hospitals, clinics, public and community agencies, wellness centers, educational institutions, businesses, and private practices.