Common Questions

You Ask - I Answer

What is psychotherapy ?

Psychotherapy is a type of mental health treatment that is meant to help individuals address a different range of psychological, emotional and behavioral health concerns. Psychotherapy focuses on decreasing symptoms, identifying triggers to symptoms, increasing emotional wellbeing and promoting healing. There are many different types of psychotherapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy and others. However, certain types of psychotherapies may be more appropriate for certain concerns than others. Psychotherapy can also be used in combination with medication and other approaches to increase effectives and results.

What are reasons people choose to go to psychotherapy ?

People have different reasons to initiate psychotherapy; however, it's common for individuals to begin psychotherapy when they are facing difficult transitions, grief, depression, anxiety and other mental health concerns. In addition people may elect to go therapy when they notice that their typical way of managing stress is no longer working.

What is the difference between talking to a psychotherapist than my friends or family?

In addition to providing a welcoming, inclusive and nurturing environment, psychotherapists are actively working with you to reach your goals such as decreasing depression, decreasing anxiety, increasing your emotional support and other mutually agreed goals. Friends may be able to provide emotional support; however, they are not trained in being unbiased, or inherently keeping your needs at the forefront of the situation.

When will I see results ?

Results are not easily predictable and in psychotherapy the outcome is based on multiple factors that interact with each other such as the environment, your presentation, your active participation in treatment and the interventions that are being utilized by the psychotherapist. With this in mind, an effective psychotherapist will utilize measures and other observational data to monitor your progress to make adequate recommendations and changes to the treatment plan.

What is the difference between a Psychologist, Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Social Worker?

Although the above professionals are all able to conduct psychotherapy. Psychologists typically spend their educational and field training in a range of settings providing a range of services that are not limited to psychotherapy or one type of psychotherapy. In addition to psychotherapy, psychologist can provide psychodiagnostic evaluations, cognitive assessment, and other types of assessments and evaluations. Licensed Clinical Psychologists must hold a Doctorate degree and said degree usually takes between 4 to 5 years of graduate school to complete and typically must also complete a year long internship and one year long post doctoral fellowship. Thus, equaling 6 to 7 years of education and training.

What if I decide psychotherapy is not for me ?

That's okay. Psychotherapy is completely voluntary and within treatment, progress will be monitored. In the event you decide to terminate services or theirs indication you will benefit from alternative services, I will provide an appropriate recommendation and if needed facilitate a referral that you may choose to follow up with.