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How do you know you need therapy?
When you realize that you are not able to function as usual due to facing difficulties with completing everyday tasks, you are having a hard time getting motivated to do things that you used to enjoy, or you are undergoing severe emotional distress or experiencing issues with relationships. When you have tried to deal with these challenges by yourself without seeing any results, it is a sign that you are ready to talk to a professionally trained therapist.
What are problems that can be addressed with therapy?
Common issues addressed in therapy include:
o Managing depression symptoms
o Dealing with Anxiety
o Stress management
o Living with major life changes
o Coming to terms with serious health issues
o Recovering from abuse
o Body image issues
o Self-esteem problems
o Communication deficiencies
o Unhealthy nutritional habits and sleep deficits
o Aging and geriatric issues
o Learning to effectively deal with grief and loss
o Dealing with caregiver burden
o Improving relationship challenges
How many sessions of therapy are needed?
The number of necessary sessions vary and depend on the individual’s needs. The number of sessions is based on a person’s progress towards treatment goals. Some people might need only a few sessions, while others might require a longer time in treatment.
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What are common misconceptions about being in therapy?
Therapy is only for people with severe mental illness.
Although people who have mental illnesses need psychotherapy and often medication, most people who could benefit from therapy are people dealing with ordinary, everyday problems.
Going to therapy is a sign of weakness.
Seeking treatment can be viewed as a sign of resourcefulness. Committing to participating in Psychotherapy is an act of bravery that helps people gain new perspective or insight into their behavior and learn new coping mechanisms to deal with
various life events.
Therapist will tell me what to do.
Therapists will refrain from overt instruction, they are collaborators who engage in active, respectful partnership with clients to help them find the answers they are looking for. The effectiveness of psychotherapy rests on client’s active participation and involvement.
Therapy is unnecessary when I can just talk to good friends or family.
Therapists have specialized education, training and experience that make them experts in understanding and treating complex problems. They can recognize behavior or thought patterns objectively.
Therapy isn’t confidential.
Psychotherapy is bound by the rules of confidentiality, therapists are required to keep client’s information confidential because of a code of ethics. Laws are also in place to protect your privacy. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) contains a privacy rule that creates national standards to protect individual’s medical records and personal health information, including information about psychotherapy and mental health. However, the law in the State of California mandates that information may be appropriately shared when the following conditions exist: If you present an imminent threat of harm to yourself or others. When there is an indication of abuse of a child, dependent adult, or elderly adult.
Psychotherapists can prescribe medication.
Psychotherapists cannot prescribe medication to clients. Their job is to provide psychological treatment and therapy. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who prescribe and monitor psychotropic medications while working with psychotherapists who conduct the therapy itself.