Is Therapy right for me?

Is Therapy Right for Me?

The word therapy often conjures up visions of people lying on couches, with a therapist writing notes and saying “uh huh…yes…” however, is this how therapy really goes? And how do you know if you need to go, or if you would benefit?

Another common misconception is that therapy is only for “crazy” people, or for severely mentally ill folks, however mental illness can be sneaky, and comes in many forms. Mental illness can be hereditary, and when people experience the same diagnoses as their parents, it may seem to be “normal”. Mental illness can also slowly sneak up on you in the form of sadness, worry, or grief, and may suddenly seem overwhelming. Maybe you aren’t getting along with your spouse or children as well as you used to, and you feel distant. Do you worry that your issue isn’t “big enough” for therapy? And besides, what can therapy do for me anyway?

It is completely normal to feel this way prior to making an appointment, and many of the people I’ve met over the years come in with the same questions. It’s ok! It’s often more difficult to know if you need to call a therapist as opposed to if you need to call your doctor for a broken arm! One easy resource to determine if therapy could help you is to visit www.psychologytoday.com, and complete their “Do I need therapy?” questionnaire. It is located under the “Find a Therapist” tab, and takes about 10 minutes to complete.

http://psychologytoday.tests.psychtests.com/take_test.php?idRegTest=3040

When you call, you speak to me directly and there is no need to wait for a receptionist. The first phone call is meant to collect basic information, as well as to determine your insurance eligibility (have your card ready!). I will also ask you basic questions about what the problem is and what you would like to achieve, so that I can help to determine if therapy will be beneficial for you. I will also set up an intake appointment during the first phone call, and ask that you complete the paperwork found on our website at www.adultspancounseling.com, prior to coming to your first visit.

The purpose of the first visit is to continue gathering information regarding your history, the problem that is bringing you to therapy, as well as to identify your strengths. After the first visit, we begin to build a strong therapeutic relationship, as this is important for the success of your therapy! I also tend to provide education in the early sessions, and we will set your goals for the therapy sessions.

Another common question that people have is “How long will therapy last?” Typically, therapy can last anywhere from a few weeks for a mild problem, to approximately 6 months or longer. Of course, this is individualized, and is based on the type of issue, as well as your progress. It is common for clients to come weekly in the beginning of treatment, and then to decrease to every other week, and lastly to once per month. The purpose of this is to assist in maintaining your goals, and to decrease the reoccurrence of issues.
Knowing if therapy can help you is not an easy answer; but you’ve made it this far! So go ahead and give me a call today to discuss what’s on your mind, and whether therapy is right for you!