Is therapy right for me?
There are many reasons why people come to therapy:
• To deal with long-standing mental, emotional & behavioral issues
• In response to unexpected changes such as a divorce, work transition or death of a loved one
• In the process of pursuing recovery & personal growth
• To do 'family of origin' work - uncovering childhood traumas & their consequences
Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking emotional responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards improving their self-esteem & all their relationships.
Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools to avoid emotional triggers, re-direct damaging behavior patterns, and overcome whatever situations you may be facing.
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
Being able to handle your own problems is an admirable quality, but some life stresses require extra support, information & encouragement. Never asking for help - especially when it's appropriate & necessary - represents fear, & is not a strength.
Everyone goes through stressful times in life, so there's nothing wrong with asking for extra support when you need it. Its not a weakness to ask for help. It may take courage, but it's something to be admired & respected.
How can therapy help me?
Therapists can provide:
• a fresh perspective on a difficult problem & point the way to possible options or solutions
• offer mirroring & emotional support, teach problem-solving skills, help with overcoming creative blocks and coping with the hassles of daily life
• offers enhanced coping strategies for depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues, etc.
• encouragement for personal growth, improving interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, etc.
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 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 communications and listening skills
- Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
- Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
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Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
What is therapy like?
Every therapy session is unique and caters to your specific goals.
• As a first session, if you wish, you can give a family history as background
• Or you can start by identifying specific issues you'd like to work on
Each session will be guided by what's foremost on your mind & 'heart'
• It is standard for therapists to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions.
• It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around fifty minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth.
• There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions.
• For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives.
Here are some things you can expect out of therapy:
• Compassion, respect and understanding
• Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
• Real strategies for enacting positive change
• Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance
Is medication a substitute for therapy?
In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you. It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication.
Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.