Frequently Asked Questions
What is Psychotherapy? How does Psychotherapy Work?
Psychotherapy is a form of talk therapy. The purpose of psychotherapy is to help you manage life’s challenges effectively, improve your quality of life, and overcome those barrier that impede you from enjoying your life fully. The experience of talking freely without shame or fear of judgment is healing in itself; psychotherapy has the capacity to open up resources in yourself, that you were not aware of, and to tap your own inner wisdom.
In therapy we will move freely from the present to past, and back to the present. I will want to know what shaped you in the past in order to help you with todays challenges. We also will explore the present: Your emotions, your relationships, and the triggers that brought you to therapy in the first place. The more insight and awareness you gain, the more freedom you will have in your present. You will be able to make better choices for yourself, to jettison behavior patterns that were developed in the past and no longer serve you.
We will work together. In psychotherapy you are not a passive patient as in a medical procedure. It is a joint effort, at times difficult and painful. Your role is to be as honest as you can. My role is to bring my professional knowledge and skills. Psychotherapy requires active participation on your part, including attendance at scheduled appointments, a willingness to discuss personal problems openly and honestly, and compliance with “homework assignments”.
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When should I seek psychotherapy?
If you feel a deep and prolonged sense of sadness, hopelessness and helplessness; if you feel you cannot function in your daily activities; if you have repeated problematic patterns in your relationships; if you engage in harmful activities to yourself or others, or you simply feel you do not live up to your potential – all these are indications that therapy is needed and can be helpful.
What can I gain from psychotherapy?
Talk therapy brings concrete results for many people. Psychotherapy can effectively decrease depression and anxiety, improve your relationships and can have a positive effect on your physical health. Many times therapy brings about unexpected personal growth.
Why see a therapist? Why can’t I just talk to my friends?
Family and friends can be very helpful and supportive, but they can’t always meet your needs. Psychotherapists are trained mental health professionals, skilled in solving problems like yours, whose approach is both informed and unbiased. Therapy is completely confidential, so you can be sure that anything you tell a therapist, stays with him/her.
Why is medication not sufficient?
Medication may be helpful. In some cases, it is necessary. However, studies have shown that the combination of psychotherapy and medication is the most effective treatment. In addition, the benefit of medication only lasts as long as the medication is taken. The benefit of therapy often remains after the termination of therapy, as it is essentially a learning process. In the long run, therapy is a very cost- effective treatment for people who suffer from mild to moderate depression, anxiety, or life challenges.
What is your missed appointment policy?
Regular attendance helps facilitate the therapeutic process and will expedite your treatment. Missing appointments is highly discouraged unless absolutely necessary. Cancellation of an appointment with less than 24 hours notice will incur a $30 fee. If you miss an appointment and do not notify me in advance you will be required to pay in full the missed session.
What is sex therapy?
Sex therapy deals with the sexual problems of couples and individuals. Sex therapy can help with problems such as low sexual interest, trouble in reaching a climax or reaching a climax too soon, pain during sexual activity, and erection difficulties. Sex therapy can help a person work through the effects of chronic illness on sexual functioning.
How does sex therapy work?
The first step would be evaluation of your and your partner’s sexual and psychological history, in order to determine the factors involved in creating and maintaining the problem.
Later, a sex therapist can help you by providing information, by helping you with communication skills and stress reduction. Usually the therapist will give you specific homework assignment.
No sexual activity is practiced in the therapist’s office.
What is Mediation?
Mediation is a process of conflict resolution. A mediator uses communication skills to help people in conflict talk out their problems and find a mutually acceptable solution. Mediation is a voluntary process, and is conducted in an atmosphere of trust, confidentiality and neutrality.
What is parent child mediation?
Parent- child mediation concentrates on the relationship between parents and their teenage children. They meet with a mediator to work out conflicts in the family, and improve the relationships in the household.
The goal of mediation, is not only to address the specific issues that led the family to seek help but to work on communication and problem solving methods. Hopefully, future conflicts can be resolved without outside help.
What does Mediation involve?
Typically, mediation lasts up to four sessions. Each session is about 1.5 hours. I meet with family members in different combinations – sometimes together, sometimes separately, so that I can better understand the situation. We then develop a mutually acceptable written agreement that meets everyone’s needs, and sign it.
What types of issues do families bring to mediation?
Household chores, curfew, peer relationships, sibling relationships, school problems, discipline, T.V volume, cellular phone utilization, blended families issues, privacy, chores, and more chores.
Is mediation a good option for every family?
No. If your family members suffer from more serious problems, such as major mental health issues, substance abuse, or domestic violence – mediation will not help to resolve those issues.
Is mediation covered by insurance?
No. Mediation is not a therapy and therefore it is not covered by insurance.