Q: How do I know if you are the right therapist for me?
Effective therapy begins with the creation of a trusting relationship with a therapist who listens well, respects and understands you and focuses on the concerns that are important to you.
The first few sessions are a time for us to get to know each other, to determine if we are a good fit and to see if my approach gets to the heart of what’s concerning you. Though therapy is often hard work and at times uncomfortable, such efforts are made easier when you experience progress towards your goals.
Q: What can I expect in treatment?
In our first meeting, we’ll explore what brings you to therapy and what’s motivating you to come at this particular moment in time. It will also be an opportunity for us to get to know each other and to better understand your customary ways of coping with the difficulties in your life.
Each subsequent session together will be unique and tailored to specifically address what is most important to you. Typically, I meet with clients for a series of weekly sixty minute sessions, though sometimes people request more time to work on particularly difficult life challenges.
Psychotherapy is a process that requires active effort and involvement on your part. In order for therapy to be successful, you will have to work on the things we discuss during session and on your own outside of therapy.
Treatment has both risks and benefits, since it often involves discussing unpleasant experiences and requires you to experience difficult feelings like grief, guilt, and, anger, for example. Research has shown however, that engaging in just such a process helps clients emotionally, physically and interpersonally. Despite these findings, there is no guarantee that you will experience any or all of these benefits
Prior to each session, you will be asked to fill out a secure, 3-5 minute online questionnaire from ACORN (A Collaborative, Outcomes Resource Network) that tracks our progress together over time. This data is used to assess the effectiveness of the therapy and provide useful information for making adjustments in our work.
For some people, therapy is short-term and focused on a specific problem area. Other times it is longer-term -- addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. Between sessions, you’ll be encouraged to reflect on what has been worked on – as therapy will be most effective looking for signs of change and opportunities to incorporate these positive changes into your life.
Q: Is psychotherapy confidential?
Therapy is most effective when you feel safe enough to open up and be honest about what is bothering you. Therefore, therapists abide by a code of ethics and laws that protect people’s privacy including confidentiality. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) law for example, protects people’s medical records and personal medical information by preventing therapists from disclosing such personal information without the client’s written permission.
[Note that there are some exceptions to maintaining confidentiality, which I will discuss with you when we first meet]
Q: How will I benefit from working with a therapist?
Research has shown that engaging in psychotherapy that focuses on experiencing and resolving difficult feelings like grief, guilt, and, anger can provide emotional, physical and interpersonal benefits.
Overall, effective psychotherapy has been shown to enhance personal development, lower levels of anxiety, depression and stress, improve relationships and family dynamics, and ease the challenges of daily life.
Ready to begin working together?
I’d love to hear from you and begin the process. Contact me for further information.