What to expect

When Seeking treatment there are questions to ask yourself:

• What is causing me distress?
• What do I hope to gain from treatment?
• What do I need to change in order to make my life better?

Why Therapy?

Therapy is about learning to cope with distress happening in your life now from past experiences and present circumstances. Therapy is a way of processing life’s many ups and downs. It provides support, hope, acknowledgment, and develops recognition of behaviors and thought patterns not conducive to the life you want. It is not just for the mentally ill or “crazy.” It is also for the person simply overwhelmed with what he or she has been experiencing at work or at home. It is also for the parent who is experiencing significant distress over seemingly small things or the child/teen whom is having either emotional or behavioral issues at home and/or at school. Therapy provides a place to heal from the hurting you may be experiencing. Seeking therapy is not a weakness or announcing that you are damaged in some way. Seeking therapy is courageous and means that you are determined to feel better. We go to the doctor when we are sick to get better physically, and therapy is the place to heal emotionally and mentally.

Therapy is confidential meaning what is said in therapy stays in therapy apart from three reasons: you are in danger of harming yourself, you are in danger of harming others, or someone is harming you. If any of these reasons apply the therapist is legally obligated to take necessary precautions which means that certain authorities may be contacted in order to insure everyone’s safety.

Your records in treatment are yours, however it is the therapist’s duty to maintain your records as confidential and can divulge with your permission, however the therapist may refuse if it could possibly cause harm to you as the patient. Much like doctors the therapist’s primary concern is your emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing. It is not the job of your therapist or your child’s therapist to attend and testify in court proceedings, although at times this may be a part of the job, this is very costly to the person requesting that the therapist perform this duty and it can be emotionally and mentally damaging as the records are no longer considered confidential as you will be required to waive your rights to confidentiality.  As a therapist, it is not our purpose to take sides in custody battles, rather a therapist is a neutral party looking out for the best interest of the child.

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is a modality of treatment utilizing the creation of art as a therapeutic and communicative tool within each session. The art that is created by you as the client is considered part of your record of treatment, therefore it is treated as confidential and remains with your records.

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive behavioral therapy is also a modality of treatment where you and your therapist work collaboratively on the connection between thoughts, beliefs, and behavior. It is thoughts and beliefs that drive behaviors that may disrupting your life. By acknowledging those thoughts and beliefs one can change their behaviors to achieve realistic goals that reduce the distress that one is experiencing.

When Should I get treatment?

One should seek treatment anytime they experience distress that disrupts their ability to function without negative consequences that cause mental, emotional, and or relational pain. Psychological pain can also be felt biologically so it is important to rule out any physical illness prior to seeking treatment.

How does it get better?

Therapy provides a corrective relationship in which you will discuss your difficulties and successes in a manner that builds insight into why you are experiencing distress. It is a slow process and requires consistent attendance, often on a weekly basis. It is not like attending a check up with the doctor that you see only when sick. Therapy requires you to be vulnerable and trust a stranger with intimate details in the hope that your therapist and you can create a better present and future. Therapy can often be intimidating and sometimes things get worse before they get better. If you are willing, open, honest, and ready for change then therapy can and will work. It is about making sure that you are healthy mentally and emotionally so that you can have more healthy relationships that are mutually beneficial. It is a paid relationship and your therapist is providing you a service to support you in your efforts to change your life for the better.

What about the cost?

The cost of treatment depends on your insurance. I take many different insurances as well as work on a sliding scale of $80-$110 a session. I also give student rates of $65-$75 a session.  Some insurances require that you be referred to therapeutic services so it is important to call your medical insurance to find out your benefits and whether or not the therapist of your choice is on the approved list. Psychotherapy is considered medical and voluntary, therefore it is often covered under your benefits card and may be able to be tax deductible.