Common Questions
How can Therapy Help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
- Developing skills for improving your relationships
- 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
- Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
- Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
- Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
What about medication vs. 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 a combination of medication and therapy is often the right course of action.
Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?
Confidentiality is one of the primary components of a psychotherapeutic relationship. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust that your most personal information is not discussed outside my office. I always provide a written copy of my Informed Consent Agreement, and you can expect that what we discuss in session will not be shared with anyone.* There may come a time when you want me to share information with someone on your healthcare team such as your Physician, Psychiatrist, Naturopath or Acupuncturist but by law I cannot release this information without first obtaining your written permission.
*State law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
- Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, disabled adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
- If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threated to harm another person.
- New law AB1775, adds new responsibility for mandatory reporting of: copying, printing, exchanging or developing a slide, photograph, negative or video of a child engaged in an act of obscene sexual conduct to include the downloading, streaming and accessing of such material through electronic or digital media.
