How do I know psychotherapy is right for me? When is it time?

Sometimes, people go to therapy because they have symptoms specific to a mental health diagnosis such as mania, depression, or anxiety. In these instances, you might choose to go to therapy in order to see an expert the same as you would any medical condition.

Other times, it is more of an in between area where an individual is feeling stuck or overwhelmed or finding themselves repeating behaviors or relational patterns that are harmful, unsatisfying, or prevent them from functioning in the way that they would like to. All of these scenarios represent various degrees of suffering. Most individuals enter into therapy when they decide it is time to alleviate this suffering.

Many individuals enter therapy when they want to expand themselves professionally or creatively, or desire to engage in their lives and relationships more fully. Therapy is an ideal environment to reflect upon and enhance one’s life.

 

How do I know that you are the right psychotherapist for me?

It is important to follow your gut instinct when looking for the right therapist. Consider credentials, areas of experience that suit your needs, but most importantly consider how you feel when you talk to and meet with the therapist. Did you walk away from the experience feeling understood? Did you learn something new or begin to think of something that troubles you in a new way? These are good indications that the elements of a good therapeutic relationship are present and may be worth investing in. You are welcome to ask me any questions that might help in making that determination.

 

What is therapy like?

The basic framework for psychotherapy includes a weekly meeting time with an evaluation period of 3 to 4 sessions to determine the scope and direction of therapy. Each therapy experience is unique, as it caters to the individual’s needs: It can be short-term, focusing on a specific problem or symptom, or longer-term to address longstanding patterns or personal growth. Sometimes, a little bit of education or identifying resources can be of tremendous use. Other times, the more in-depth process of discovering the meaning beneath the suffering is what is needed to fully move forward. In many ways, therapy personalized resource for information, bringing into clarity options toward health that might otherwise have been difficult to see. It is a unique opportunity to utilize a skilled, neutral, professional to deeply reflect upon what constrains you and what you truly want for yourself without distraction.

 

Is therapy confidential?

In general, the privacy of all communications between a patient and a psychologist is protected by law and I can only release information about our work to others with your written permission. However, there are a few exceptions, such as when I am legally obligated to take action to protect others from harm. In your first therapy session, we will go over issues of confidentiality in detail.