Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it is right for me?
What about medication vs. psychotherapy?
Do you take insurance, and how does that work?
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, performance anxiety, 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 complexities of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you invest in the process and implement 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
- Solidifying character formation
- Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
- Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Increasing performance capacity
- 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
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have navigated through other difficulties you've faced, accessing help and support can mitigate pain and difficulty, while multiplying resources and strength. Engaging in therapy may be best for those who have enough self-awareness and self-worth to accept a helping hand, which is admirable. However, therapy may be most needed for those lacking such awareness and worth who would yet exercise courage to receive help. In either case, you are taking responsibility for yourself in accepting where you're at in life and committing to change your situation by seeking therapy. Therapy can provide long-lasting benefits, giving you tools to both survive and thrive in any challenge of your life.
Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it is right for me?
People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy. Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts and creative blocks. Therapy can help provide some much needed encouragement and help with skills to get through these periods. Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life. In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives.
What is Therapy like?
Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. 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. 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 sessions with your therapist (usually weekly). The duration of your treatment is always at your discretion and will be dependent on your sense of need and growth.
It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy as you actively participate in the process. The more of your self that you invest into the treatment sessions the more health you can expect. Ultimately, the purpose of therapy is that you bring the healing and growth attained in session into your life. Some of the work you do in therapy sessions may involve additional, outside work to support your process - such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals. People seeking psychotherapy indicate their readiness to make positive changes, are open to new perspectives and responsibly implement new behaviors in their lives.
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 distress and the behavior patterns that curb 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 most cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.
Do you take insurance, and how does that work?
To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers. Some helpful questions you can ask them:
- What are my mental health benefits?
- What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
- How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
- How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
- Will insurance coverage necessitate a diagnosis on my medical record?
- Is there any reimbursement allowance for seeing a therapist who doesn't take insurance?
Acacia Counseling does not take insurance. Payment is accepted by way of cash, check or credit card. Payment is due prior to or at the time of service.
Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”. Sometimes, however, you may want or need to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your Physician, Naturopath, Attorney), but by law this information cannot be released without obtaining your written permission.
However, state law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for certain mandatory reporting situations.