Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it is right for me?
What about medication vs. psychotherapy?
Do you take insurance, and how does that work?
How does Play Therapy work?
How can Therapy Help?
The people I work with experience many benefits from participating in therapy. I provide a safe and supportive setting where you can build problem-solving skills and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, and chronic illness. Many people also find that psychologists can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. I can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution.v The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
- Developing skills for improving your relationships
- Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
- Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
- Improving communications and listening skills
- Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
- Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
- Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it is right for me?
People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy. Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, relationship problems, and working through trauma. Therapy can help provide some much needed encouragement and help with skills to get you through these difficult periods. Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life. In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives.
What is Therapy like?
Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issues, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions often weekly.
It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, I may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process - such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals. People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives.
What about medication vs. psychotherapy?
It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you, and in some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.
Do you take insurance, and how does that work?
I am an In-Network provider with Anthem BCBS, BCBS Federal, and Carefirst insurance companies. If I am in-network with your insurance company I will submit bills to your insurance company for processing and you will be responsible for any deductibles or co-payments based on your specific insurance plan. If I am not in-network with your insurance you will be responsible for payment at the time of the appointment and you can then submit receipts for reimbursement from your insurance company. Therapy and testing services are medical expenses, so they can be paid for with HSA's (health savings accounts) or be deducted as medical expenses on your tax return. To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers. Some helpful questions you can ask them:
- What are my mental health benefits?
- What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
- How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
- What is my coverage for psychological testing services?
- Do I have a deductible or co-payment for mental health services?
- How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
- Is approval or a referral required from my primary care physician?
- Will you provide in-network coverage or arrange a single case agreement since I cannot find an in-network provider?
Play therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach I use with children where I help them reach therapy goals through play. That's right, your child will often enjoy much of their session time playing while they learn to express themselves in healthier ways, build coping strategies for everyday stressors, become more respectful and empathic, build self-confidence, and build social skills. Play therapy works with the unique developmental needs of children, who often express themselves better through play activities than through verbal communication. I use play and other creative activities to form a safe and trusting relationship with your child where they can learn to understand and express their thoughts and feelings.