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 a counselor as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, 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.
How can therapy help me?
Counseling allows an objective outside 3rd party to help you sort out your feelings and then view and assess your situation. Counseling involves listening and reflecting. It may involve some prodding or confrontation. Overall, counselors work with you to help you learn to better help yourself. To make your counseling sessions productive you must be willing to: feel, risk, hurt, work, trust, make choices, and ultimately change. You need to be open, honest, and insightful. Finally, realize that you are making an investment in your well-being. The best ways to ensure successful treatment are to stay open to the process, be aware of what you are feeling, share your feelings with your therapist, ask questions (there are no dumb questions), ask for clarification if you don’t understand something, and participate in assignments generated by you and your therapist. Most of all, recognize you deserve to have a healthier, happier, and more functional life.
What are the different types of therapy?
Individual – Client has one on one sessions with their therapist to address any concerns and work through and seek positive alternatives. Group – With a therapist facilitator, the clients have the opportunity work through and support each other with similar interests.
Couples/Family – Helps reduce tension/conflict as well as improve communication skills within the family unit.
What will happen in the first session?
The therapist will do a comprehensive assessment of yourself, family members, and your life experiences. The first session is a lot like going to the doctor’s and discussing what is going on, what you do currently to help deal with what is going on in your life, and what support looks like in your life. Additionally, you will work on a treatment plan that will include goals in which you would like to achieve in therapy.
What is therapy like?
Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. 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. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions.
What is therapy like?
The law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and therapist. 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 dependent adult or elder abuse. The therapist will contact the abuse hotline.
- 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 assist client in working through a crisis plan and will only contact others if the client is not going to be safe.
- If the therapist gets subpoenaed.
My child is 14, what is the difference about therapy for a teenager?
In the state of Oregon, a child who is 14 or older can seek out and attend therapy on their own and will need to sign their own forms. Many parents have a hard time with the idea their child’s therapist is not required to talk to them or share things with them. Each client 14 years or older is required to have a release of information (ROI) on file to release information to anyone. When a child 14 to 17 comes to the office with a signed ROI, they will be asked, away from the parent, if they wish the ROI to be on file.
How long will it take to fix my child?
First, your child is not broken. They may be experiencing difficult emotions and not know how to express them. It is helpful that many adults realize their child may need counseling. When given this chance, children usually shine. They are much more aware of what is going on in the(ir) world than many adults think.