How can psychotherapy help me?
Psychotherapy can be helpful when you are facing unexpected changes. Through therapy, you can learn more effective ways to handle current or long-standing problems. If your ability to function well is compromised by anxiety, despair or anger, therapy can help by improving your communication and conflict resolution skills. Whether it’s managing stress, increasing your awareness or helping you make healthier choices, therapy can be useful for couples and families struggling with relationship difficulties.
What can I expect from a typical session?
Sessions are 50 minutes long once a week, unless otherwise indicated. During sessions, we will discuss your concerns and explore how you can make progress in those areas. You may be assigned “homework” and you will be expected to be an active participant.
What can I expect to gain from psychotherapy?
You can expect to gain understanding of your own behavior and your responses to the behaviors of others. You will gain new perspectives on old problems and become empowered to make changes. You will learn new ways to cope with stress and anxiety and learn how to manage anger and depression. Your communication skills will improve and you will replace patterns of behavior that are not serving you well with new ones. You will be able to set goals and chart a course toward achieving those goals.
Is therapy confidential?
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and a psychotherapist. Information is not disclosed without written permission. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions include:
- Suspected child abuse
(including the downloading or streaming of child pornography through electronic means)
or dependent adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required by law to file reports with the appropriate authorities immediately.
- If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s. The therapist must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
- If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in ensuring their safety. When necessary, further measures may be taken without their permission to ensure their safety.
