Is therapy right for me?

I think the real questions are: Is what you’re doing working for you? Or is time to find another way to overcome your existing issues? In my experience, no one comes to therapy at the “right time,” just as no one quits a bad job or ends a bad relationship as quickly as hindsight would have suggested. So, it is likely that, if you’ve read this far, it’s time to try something different, something that can make a difference.

People come to therapy for a wide range of reasons. Some people struggle with long-standing psychological issues, such as problems with anxiety or depression, while others seek my help to deal with life changes such as divorce and work transition. Some want the perspective and support of an objective party as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist like me can help provide insight, support, and new ways of overcoming all types of life challenges. In my practice, therapy can take many different forms and can address a wide range of of issues including depression, anxiety, confidence and self-esteem issues, relationship issues, anger management, grief, stress management, substance abuse issues, and life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of his or her life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working toward life change.

Do I really need therapy?

Life is full of challenging situations in life and, while you have successfully navigated many of life’s obstacles, nearly everyone has issues that remain “stuck” for them. If you’re dealing with persistent or long-standing problems, it makes sense to seek the help of a professional who has helped many others with similar problems. In fact, having the awareness that you need help is a hugely positive step -- it often means that you are ready to seek help and make lasting change in your life. After nearly twenty years as a therapist, the greatest joy in my work is to see people achieve long-lasting benefits, to make changed that allow them to move forward with new insights and new skills that they will enjoy for the rest of their lives.

How can therapy help me?

My clients report a wide range of benefits from their experience in therapy. There is nothing more individual and unique than a person’s experience in therapy, and the benefits you enjoy will depend on your personal motivation to overcome problems, your willingness to fully engage in the process, and how well you use the process and practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from working with me include:

Developing a better understanding of yourself, your values, and your goals
Improving your relationships with loved ones, family, friends, and co-workers
Overcoming low self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
Resolving the issues and concerns that led you to seek therapy
Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional difficulties
Improving communication and listening skills
Changing dysfunctional behavior patterns and developing healthier ones
Learning how to successfully resolve conflicts with everyone in your life
Overcoming substance abuse issues and addictive patterns

What is therapy like?

Every therapy session with me is unique and caters your individual and specific goals. In addition to traditional talk therapy, I use a “therapeutic tookit,” a set of techniques that tend to achieve faster and more effective results than traditional methods. One of the great things about many of these techniques is that we will not only use them in session, you will learn how to apply them to self-treat and solve issues outside of session and after our work together concludes. If you are seeking therapy, you've already made some important decisions. You are now ready to take responsibility for your actions, to work towards self-change, and to create a new, more positive, path for yourself.

Here is what you can expect from working with me:

Compassion, respect and understanding of you as a person and of your issues
Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
Realistic strategies to implement positive changes in your life
Effective, proven techniques along with practical guidance

Is medication a substitute for therapy?

While medication can be a useful addition to therapy, it is not a substitute for it. Some studies have found that a combination of medication and therapy is the best course of treatment for certain conditions, but it is well-known that long-term psychological problems cannot be resolved solely with medication. Because medication externalizes the problem – treating its symptoms instead of its roots – it makes sense to consider therapy before seeking medication. Whenever it is appropriate, I will work with your doctor (or make a referral to a doctor if you need one) to determine the best combination of treatment for you. In many cases, our work together will be sufficient to resolve your issues, but some situations may require an integrated approach to wellness that includes medication.

Do you accept insurance?
How does insurance work?

Many people are unsure about their mental health insurance benefits and, since every plan is different, the only way to find out is to check with your insurance company. If you have PPO coverage and certain other types of insurance, my services should be reimbursed by your insurance company. The best thing to do is call the phone number on your insurance card and ask your company the following:

What is the coverage amount per therapy session? (If they ask, 90806 is the service code you want to check for individual psychotherapy. 90853 is the code for family therapy.)
How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?

Is therapy confidential?

Yes, therapy is confidential in most cases. Confidentiality is a serious matter, because you have an inherent right to privacy and also because a trusting relationship between the therapist and client is the foundation for much of the healing that occurs in therapy. In addition to the practical need for privacy, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and therapist, except in these cases:

Except for the instances noted above, I will never disclose any information regarding you or your case to anyone without your prior written permission.

Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse.
If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person.
If a client intends to harm himself or herself. In this instance, I will make every effort to work with my client to maintain their safety. However, if he or she does not cooperate, I may need to take additional measures to ensure safety.

I will also be happy to discuss your individual situaiton with you and help you decide how to best work with your insurance company, even if you decide not to pursue therapy with me.