Is therapy right for me?
When and where to begin therapy is an individual and personal choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it’s in response to unexpected changes in their life such as a divorce or work transition. Some will look for advice in counseling as they question and grow on their own journey in life. Working with a therapist can help you with insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. If you’ve come to point where you would like to better understand why you’re feeling the way you do, are beginning to wonder how to change the problem, wanting to get more out of your life or relationship, better understand yourself and the world around you or wanting to make a change in your life, therapy can help you focus and create the changes your looking for.
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
We all go through challenging situations in life, and although you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid ending up in the same place, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
How can therapy help me?
There are a number of benefits you can receive from counseling. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and build on how you’ve managed previous challenges. Many people also find that counselors can be a big help in managing your personal growth, your relationships, and family concerns, and the hassles of day to day life. Therapists can help you look at a difficult problem and can help you find a clearer direction to a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
• Understanding yourself, your goals and values better
• Developing skills for improving your relationships
• Finding answers to what led you to 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
• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
What is therapy like?
Every counseling session is unique and caters to you and your specific goals. It’s standard for therapists to discuss the issues you’ve identified as concerns in your life during sessions, which usually occur weekly, and last around fifty to eighty-five 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 do activities outside of the therapy sessions. Remember what has been discussed in session is an important process and should be integrated it into your life between sessions. For counseling to be most effective you must play an active role, both during and between your sessions. People seeking counseling who are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives are most successful in therapy. Here are some things you can expect out of therapy:
• Compassion, acceptance, 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 a 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.
Is therapy confidential?
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and counselor. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.
However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:
• Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.
• If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.
• In some cases of medical emergencies, basic information may be disclosed to ensure you health is protected.
What if I don’t connect with my counselor?
The counseling process can be compared to selecting a car. At different times in your life you may prefer a sports car, a convertible, an SUV or a sedan. At those times, different types of cars fit with your lifestyle the best. Similarly different therapists can be most appropriate at different times in your life. Because The Mending Group has a number of counselors and will be happy to assist you in finding the right fit for you at the right time. We want you to find the person you feel most comfortable and capable of working with to make the changes you desire for your life.