The following questions are the most frequently asked.

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 personal boundaries. 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 specific 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 unhelpful behavioral patterns and developing effective ones

• Discovering new ways to address problems in your family or marriage

• Boosting your self-confidence and self-compassion

Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my own problems.

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you are in life and making a commitment to change your experience by seeking therapy. Therapy can provide long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to manage triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face. 

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, unwanted behaviors, relationship problems, spiritual challenges, and creative blocks. Therapy can help provide 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 wanting to address the challenges in their lives, and are hoping to heal and grow. 

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 experiences in your life, your personal history relevant to your concerns, and review the impact (such as progress, or new insights) from the previous therapy session. If desired and helpful, therapy can include family members. 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).

It is important to understand that you will get better results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process - such as reading a pertinent book, journaling or reflecting on specific topics, noting particular behaviors and emotions, or practicing a new skill. People seeking psychotherapy are seeking to make positive changes, are open to new perspectives, and desire to take responsibility for their lives.

What about medication vs. psychotherapy?

There are so many differing opinions about both medication use and psychotherapy! It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause generally cannot be solved solely by medication. Medication treats symptoms. And for some people, that makes a huge difference for the better. Therapy addresses the causes of our distress and the behavior patterns that block our progress. This can be helpful with or without medication. 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 some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. 

Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?

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 your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (e.g. your physician, naturopath, attorney, family member), but by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.

State law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except in the following situations:

• Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of minor children or vulnerable adults 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 themself or has threatened to harm another person.