Is therapy right for me?
Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one's life such as a divorce or work transition. Many seek the advice of counsel as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while 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 best suited for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand. Seeking therapy often indicates that you are taking responsibility for your life and making a commitment to change your situation by seeking appropriate help. Therapy can provide long-lasting benefits and support, including giving you the tools you need make positive changes, to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcoming whatever challenges you face.
How can therapy help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues, and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of 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:
- 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 communication 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 therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. 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, each session lasting 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 to 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 sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, to work towards self-change and to 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 therapist as well as 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.
Do you accept insurance?
Some of our providers do accept insurance, but not all do. If the provider you request is not listed as a preferred provider on your specific plan, they may be able to provide services as
an "out of network" provider. For questions regarding your specific insurance plan or your mental health benefits please contact our client care advocate Ry at (760) 635-3310 Ext 104 or e-mail her at: [email protected]
How does insurance work?
To determine if you have
mental health
coverage, the first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage carefully and find the answers to the following questions:
- What are my mental health benefits?
- What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
- How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
- How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
- Is approval required from my primary care physician?
Is therapy confidential?
In general,
the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist
. No information regarding your treatment or things shared in session may be disclosed without prior (usually written) permission from the client.
However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:
- In the event of suspected child, dependent adult or elder abuse the therapist is required to report to the appropriate authorities immediately. As of January 2015 this includes the use of child pornography.
- 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 themselves. 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.
- If the United States government believes that a client may be a potential threat to the United States of America that clients records may be taken by authorities of the government
Please see our Privacy and Policy page for further details.
What do Psy.D. and Ph.D stand for?
Both The Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degrees are American professional doctoral degrees. Whereas a Ph.D. is a doctorate (D) in philosophy (Ph) and can specialize in psychology, the Psy.D. is specifically a doctorate (D) in psychology (Psy).
Any individual who earns a Psy.D. or Ph.D. in clinical psychology from an accredited program may become licensed to diagnose and treat mental disorders , conduct psychological testing and complete psychological evaluations, and to provide psychotherapy.
(See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psy.D.)
What is a Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP)?
A Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP) is a clinical mental health professional who meets nationally accepted criteria of education, training and experience in group psychotherapy through the National Registry of Certified group Psychotherapists. A CGP is an expert in group psychotherapy and an ethical practitioner who is committed to group psychotherapy as an autonomous treatment modality.
