Why do people seek therapy?
People come into therapy for many reasons. Some need to respond to unexpected changes in their lives, while others seek self-exploration and personal growth. When coping skills are overwhelmed by guilt, doubt, anxiety, or despair, therapy can help. Therapy can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping for issues such as depression, anxiety, lack of confidence, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, bereavement, spiritual conflicts, stress management, health and body image issues, and creative blocks. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives.
What can I expect in a therapy session?
During sessions you are asked to talk about the primary concerns and issues in your life. A session lasts 50 minutes, but some people request longer sessions. Usually weekly sessions are best. Some people who are in crisis or extreme distress need more than one session per week, at least until the crisis passes. During the time between sessions it is beneficial to think about and process what was discussed. At times, you may be asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records. For therapy to "work," you must be an active participant, both in and outside of the therapy sessions.
How long will I need to attend therapy in order to see benefits?
Many clients find that the issues they come to therapy to address are resolved rather quickly, for some as few as 3 -5 sessions. Marriage and family therapists regularly practice short-term therapy, 12 sessions on average. The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy reports that over 65% of the cases are completed within 20 sessions, over 85% within 50 sessions. Ultimately the client is given the information and tools which will allow him or her to decide how often and how long to attend therapy.
What benefits can I expect from working with a therapist?
A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. Often it is helpful just to know that someone understands. Therapy can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. Many people find therapy to be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, and the hassles of daily life. 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 and your personal goals and values
• Developing skills for improving your relationships
• Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
• Find new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
• Managing anger, depression, and other emotional pressures
• Improving communications skills - learn how to listen to others, and have others listen to you
• Getting "unstuck" from unhealthy patterns - breaking old behaviors and develop new ones
• Discovering new ways to solve problems
• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
What if I don't know what my goals are for therapy?
If you aren't sure what your goals are for therapy, our initial task is to figure that out. It may take several sessions before a direction is clarified. During the course of therapy your goals may change. However, establishing a direction for therapy will help you get the most out of the experience.
Does a marriage and family therapist only work with families and couples?
Marriage and family therapists take a holistic approach to mental health care; they are concerned with the overall, long-term well-being of individuals and their families. Although they do often work with individuals, they sometimes broaden the traditional emphasis on the individual to attend to the nature and role of individuals in primary networks such as marriage, family, environment, and social culture. Therapists encourage clients to invite to their sessions anyone they feel can contribute valuable information. On a whole, about half of the treatment provided by marriage and family therapists is one-on-one with the other half divided between marital/couple and family therapy, or a combination of treatments.
Can therapy help my child?
A combination of play-based and other creative tasks are often used in therapy sessions to help children to overcome difficult experiences. Parents are often engaged in these activities so that they are able to track their child’s progress and learn to process difficult feelings along with their child. Behavioral issues are often addressed in session through a focus on increasing the effectiveness of parenting through education and skills work.
Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?
There is a confusing array of insurance arrangements. The first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage carefully and find the answers to the following questions:
• Do I have mental health benefits?
• What is my deductible and has it been met?
• How many sessions per calendar year does my plan cover?
• How much do you pay for an out-of-network provider?
• Is there a limitation on how much you will pay per session?
• Is primary care physician approval required?
Is therapy confidential?
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and a psychotherapist. Information is not disclosed without written permission. However, there are number of exceptions to this rule. Exceptions include:
• Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s. The therapist must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
• If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in insuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, further measures may be taken without their permission in order to ensure their safety.
Why see a Marriage and Family Therapist?
Research studies repeatedly demonstrate the effectiveness of marriage and family therapy in treating the full range of mental and emotional disorders and health problems. Studies also show that clients are highly satisfied with services of Marriage and Family Therapists. After receiving treatment, almost 90% of clients report an improvement in their emotional health, and nearly two-thirds report an improvement in their overall physical health. A majority of clients report an improvement in their functioning at work, and over three-fourths of those receiving marital/couples or family therapy report an improvement in the couple relationship. When a child is the identified patient, parents report that their child's behavior improved in over 70% of the cases, their ability to get along with other children significantly improved in addition to an improved performance in school.
Research studies repeatedly demonstrate the effectiveness of marriage and family therapy in treating the full range of mental and emotional disorders and health problems. Studies also show that clients are highly satisfied with services of Marriage and Family Therapists. After receiving treatment, almost 90% of clients report an improvement in their emotional health, and nearly two-thirds report an improvement in their overall physical health. A majority of clients report an improvement in their functioning at work, and over three-fourths of those receiving marital/couples or family therapy report an improvement in the couple relationship. When a child is the identified patient, parents report that their child's behavior improved in over 70% of the cases, their ability to get along with other children significantly improved in addition to an improved performance in school.