What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy, or therapy, is a process designed to help people improve the quality of their lives and relationships by addressing the problems that prevent them from being happy and healthy.

Many people seek therapy to deal with specific concerns, such as a broken relationship, depression, trauma, stress, addiction, or life transition. Others seek therapy to gain further insight in order to be the best they can be.

Your therapy will be shaped by your individual goals and needs. Together, we will identify what you want to have happen as a result of therapy, and how you will know when you are making progress.

My role as a therapist will be to guide and facilitate the therapeutic process. During this process, I may present you with new information, challenge your thinking, or focus your attention on particular points in order to help you see yourself and your options from a new perspective. I may also suggest that you try new things in order to achieve your goals.

As a client, you will be responsible for working on your goals, making your own decisions, changing your behavior, and raising any issues or concerns you may have about the therapeutic process.

Research shows that therapy is effective in helping many people address their concerns. Although many people are helped by therapy, not everyone benefits from this process. Therapy does not offer a guarantee of specific outcomes. Sometimes during the process of therapy, you may experience an increase in emotional pain or stress before you feel better.

Most insurance companies will reimburse for services that are deemed “medically necessary.” Therapy geared strictly for personal growth most likely will not be covered.