Should I take medication or go into 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. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what’s best for you, and in some cases a combination of both medication and therapy is the right course of action.

I’ve never talked to anyone. I’m used to handling things on my own. Aren’t people who go to therapy weak?

On the contrary. People who ask for help know when they need it and have the ability to reach out. Everyone needs help now and then. You already have some strengths that you’ve used before, that for whatever reason isn’t working right now. Perhaps this problem feels overwhelming and is making it difficult to access your past strengths. In our work together, I’ll help you identify what those strengths are and how to implement them again in what is happening now.

What’s the difference between talking to you or my best friend or family?

The difference is between someone who can do something, and someone who has the training and experience to do that same thing professionally. A mental health professional can help you approach your situation in a new way– teach you new skills, gain different perspectives, listen to you without judgment or expectations, and help you listen to yourself. Furthermore, therapy is completely confidential. You won’t have to worry about others “knowing my business.” Lastly, if your situation provokes a great deal of negative emotion, if you’ve been confiding in a friend or family member, there is the risk that once you are feeling better you could start avoiding that person so you aren’t reminded of this difficult time in your life.

How does it work? What do I have to do in sessions?

Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. I tailor my therapeutic approach to your specific needs. 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.

How long will it take?

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 weekly sessions initially, and then space them out as you see progress.
If I commit to therapy, what can I expect? How can I get the most out of therapy?
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 sessions back into your life. Beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, if you are receptive to “homework”, I can suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your progress – such as practicing relaxation skills, journaling on a specific topic, reading a pertinent book, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals.

My partner and I are having problems. Should we be in individual counseling or come together?

If you are concerned about your relationship, and you would both like to work with me, I would initially work with both of you together. After this work, if one of you would like to continue in individual sessions, I could work with only one of you. It is not helpful to move from individual into couple’s work with the same therapist because of potential trust issues.

“I Think Therapy is Just Talking About Problems – Can’t I just Talk To My friends and family?”

It’s not the same – your friends and family can’t be totally objective with you. It helps to have a safe place where you can be totally honest about how you feel and what you think. A professional therapist can help you explore your vulnerabilities and weaknesses and help you to maximize your strengths in a confidential and private setting.

“How Can I Take Time Out of My Very Busy Schedule?”

Some of my clients come in to work an hour early or stay an hour late to make up the time, others use their lunch hour. Men with flexible schedules just let their bosses know that they can’t work a specific time. Others use some of their paid leave each week (regular medical appointment) and I’m happy to give a work excuse if that would be helpful. My clients are like you and they manage to make sessions happen with their busy work schedules.

“Isn’t It Expensive?”

Everything important has a cost. If you continue living the way you are living now, what will be the cost to your important relationships and your personal life? Can you afford not to look at what’s going on in your life and make the needed course corrections? We don’t typically scrimp on medical and dental care. Isn’t your mental health and peace of mind just as important?

I am also an approved provider with Anthem BC/BS insurance – most policy holders ending up paying a small co-pay each session. If you have other insurance, I can file for you so that you can utilize your out-of-network benefits to help reduce your costs.