Frequently Ask Questions
- How can therapy help me?
- Do I really need therapy?
- Why do people go to therapy, and how do I know if it is right for me?
- What is Therapy like?
- What about medication vs. psychotherapy?
How can therapy Help me?
There are many benefits to participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship problems, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues, and other more complex psychiatric disorders. Therapists can be a tremendous asset in helping individuals improve their personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the nuisances of daily life. The benefits obtained from therapy depend on how well the individual uses the process and applies the skills learned in treatment.Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values.
- Developing skills for improving relationships.
- Finding a 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 communication and listening skills.
- Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones.
- Discovering new ways to solve problems in the family or marriage.
- Improving self-esteem and boosting self-confidence.
Do I really need therapy?
Therapy is for people with enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, which is something to be respected. The individual takes responsibility by accepting where they are in life and committing to changing the situation by seeking support. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and assets, providing the tools to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges the person faces.
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 might not handle 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 the person develop new skills to get them through this period. 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 face the challenges in their lives and make ever-lasting personal changes in who they are as individuals and how they interact with others, especially their loved ones.
What is Therapy like?
Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, the process will be different depending on the individual's emotional needs. Depending on the specific needs, therapy can be short-term, addressing a particular issue, or longer-term, dealing with more complex maladaptive behavior patterns. Either way, scheduling regular sessions with the therapist (usually weekly) is most common.
Therefore, beyond your work in therapy sessions, the therapist may suggest some exercises or activities in addition to the weekly therapy sessions to support personal growth. Generally, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes, are open to new perspectives, and are committed to healing and growth.
What about medication vs. psychotherapy?
It is well established that medication alone is not the ultimate solution to address mental health problems. Instead of treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of the distress. In treatment, people can achieve sustainable growth and greater well-being with an integrative approach to sound emotional stability. Conversation with the primary medical provider or psychiatrist would help determine the best course of behavioral health treatment. Studies have shown that combining medication and therapy is the correct action to deliver long-lasting results.