What can therapy do for me? Does going to therapy mean I’m “crazy?”
Going to therapy does not mean you are crazy. Essentially, a therapist offers a different way of looking at things – perhaps a perspective you haven’t yet considered, which makes it easier to point you in the right direction, and find the solutions you’re looking for in life. There are a variety of benefits that can come from therapy, and they tend to be individualized. Therapists are there to provide support, teach certain skills, and help patients discover new coping strategies for things like anxiety, depression, stress, and life changes.
Of course, therapists can’t just ‘fix’ everything on their own. Therapy is a partnership, and it’s about using those resources you learn in your everyday life that can really turn things around. Still unsure about what therapy could do for you? Let’s take a look at a few examples of some common benefits:
– Managing problem areas in your personal life, like anxiety, stress, depression, etc.
– Obtaining skills for bettering your relationships
– Creating new patterns of behavior for yourself
– Changing your problem-solving perspective
– Boosting your self-esteem and confidence
– Learning resources to put an end to the issues that brought you to therapy
– Grasping a deeper understanding of who you are
– Identifying your goals and dreams
– Just plain feeling better!
I feel as though I should handle my issues on my own. Is therapy really necessary?
There isn’t a person alive who doesn’t experiences challenges of some kind. Some people can get through them better than others, but it’s never a bad idea to have additional support and understanding when it comes to the obstacles you’re facing. Noticing that your life isn’t necessarily where you want it to be is a big realization, and taking the steps to change that for the better is something to be incredibly proud of. It’s a path that can lead to long-lasting benefits for the rest of your life, even when challenges arise in the future.
What can I expect from therapy?
The reasons for therapy are different for everyone. The good news is that therapy is completely individually-focused, which is why everyone can get something different out of it. Generally, your life, your history, and any relevant insights will be important to our discussions, but in a very personal and individualized manner. Sometimes therapy can be focused on a specific need, in which case therapy may be ‘short term.’ In other cases, many people go to therapy regularly, each week or two, to simply look for more personal growth, or deal with long-term issues.
Again, therapy isn’t meant to be some kind of ‘quick fix’ where you simply sit back and listen. It is a participatory experience. The more you involve yourself in the process, the better the results are likely to be. It’s practice for everyday living, in which you take what you learn from the session, and apply it to your life. Therefore, it’s important to be prepared to make those changes in your life, and desire new perspectives on things.
Can’t I just take medication to feel better? Why do I need therapy too?
While medication can help with many different conditions, it has also been proven that it often isn’t enough by itself. Medication may treat the symptoms of a problem, without getting to the root of solving it, which is where therapy comes in. The decision to take psychotropic medications or not is a highly personal one, and your personal wishes will be honored. If, in the course of treatment, you decide you might benefit from medications, I will refer you out to an appropriate provider who prescribes medications, while we continue therapy.
How does insurance factor into therapy?
Insurance companies differ. Some offer mental health coverage, while others do not. The easiest way to find out if mental health care is covered by your provider is to contact your insurer, to make sure you understand their options. If you’re looking for a good place to start in asking them questions, you could consider asking what their coverage amounts are for therapy sessions, how many visits per year you can have, what an out-of-network provider might cost, or if prior approval will be needed from your primary care physician. Don’t be afraid to ask enough questions so you feel confident in knowing how your insurance responds to mental health care. Suggested questions for you to ask your insurance company can be found on the “Starting” page of this website.
Do the topics in each therapy session remain private?
There is practically nothing more important in therapy than confidentiality. As with any provider/patient agreement, your privacy is of the utmost importance. A good therapist understands the vulnerability and openness that must come from each patient in order to really get through, so therapy itself can take a lot of trust, and that needs to be developed over time. Make sure your therapist offers a confidentiality agreement before you begin your sessions, typically called ‘informed consent.’ It is your choice if you’d like to have your therapist share anything significant with your other family members or healthcare providers, but this can only be done with your written consent.
Nothing you share in your sessions will be shared with anyone else. The session content and all relevant materials to the client’s treatment will be held confidential unless the client requests in writing to have all or portions of such content released to a specifically named person/persons. Limitations of such client held privilege of confidentiality exist and are itemized below, as noted in the Annotated Codes of Maryland:
- If a client threatens or attempts to commit suicide or otherwise conducts him/her self in a manner in which there is a substantial risk of incurring serious bodily harm. (Courts and Judicial Proceedings, Article 5-609)
- If a client threatens grave bodily harm or death to another person. (Courts and Judicial Proceedings, Article 5-609)
- If the therapist has a reasonable suspicion that a client or other named victim is the perpetrator, observer of, or actual victim of physical, emotional or sexual abuse, or neglect, of children under the age of 18 years. (Family Law, Articles 5-704 and 5-705)
- Suspicions as stated above in the case of an elderly person who may be subjected to these abuses, or neglect. (Family Law, Article 14-302)
- Suspicions as stated above in the case of a developmentally-delayed individual who may be subjected to these abuses, or neglect. (Health-General, Article 7-1005)