When we are mentally healthy, we are able to reach our full potential, make meaningful contributions to communities we care about, and we are able to connect authentically with the people in our lives. Therapy is one tool to help us manage our mental health and may be especially worthwhile if your regular tools aren’t having the same impact (e.g., attending social, connecting with friends/relatives, exercising). Therapy can be beneficial for a wide range of problems including mood concerns like depression and anxiety, relationship challenges, and/or emotional distress. Many people also seek therapy when they are experiencing several changes in their lives. Regardless of what brings you to therapy, it can be an opportunity to learn, grow, and heal.
Are conversations with my therapist private/confidential?
Mental health professionals are bound by state law, federal law, and professional ethics codes that protect your private health information. With the exceptions noted below, or as required by law, no information about your contact with your therapist is available to anyone without your written permission.
Exceptions to Confidentiality
• If you mention great harm to yourself or others. In this context, we are obligated to take steps to help prevent the harm from happening.
• If you provide information indicating child abuse, elder abuse, or abuse of a person with disabilities, we are legally required to notify proper authorities.
• In the event of a court order or subpeona.
What’s the difference between talking to a therapist and my friend/family member?
Typically, when we go to a friend or family member for support, they have some kind of interest in us or the decision we need to make. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but can influence the kind of support they offer you. As your therapist, I am not affected by your decision. That helps me to support you more objectively and listen without expectations or judgment. A mental health professional also has the training and experience to offer you strategies to manage different situations, learn new skills, and gain different perspectives. Another benefit is that therapy is confidential. You don’t have to worry about other people getting in your business.
Does therapy work?
One of the greatest predictors for positive outcomes in therapy is the client’s relationship with the therapist. We make it a priority to cultivate a safe and trusting relationship with you so you can be seen, heard, and understood. If after a few sessions you remain concerned about your progress, Weencourage you to discuss it with us. We can alter my approach or provide a referral to another provider who may be a better match for you. We take no offense to this because we want you to get what you need out of the therapy sessions.
Psychotherapy can have benefits and risks. Since therapy often involves discussing unpleasant aspects of your life, you may experience uncomfortable feelings like sadness, guilt, anger, shame, frustration, loneliness, and helplessness. The changes you make in therapy may also affect your relationships in unexpected ways. Psychotherapy has also been shown to have many benefits. Therapy often leads to better relationships, solutions to specific problems, and significant reductions in feelings of distress. But there are no guarantees of what you will experience.
Is group therapy less effective than individual therapy?
Some may worry that because group therapy includes other people, you will get less out of the therapy. While it is true that you will not have the entire session to talk about you, you will still be benefiting from what others have to say. This can be especially beneficial for people who struggle to express what they are experiencing or feel isolated because of their experiences; it is not unusual in group therapy to find people describing a feeling or situation you have experienced, but perhaps have struggled to put into words and communicate.
We think of group therapy as an opportunity for you to engage with an issue whereas individual therapy allows more room for you to understand an issue. By engaging in the here-and-now of group, you get to talk about emotions as they are evoked and experiment with different behaviors in a social setting.
Which Insurances do you accept?
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Care Network
Priority Health
United Health Care
Please feel free to contact us to discuss further.
What Are your Hours?
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10am-7pm