HOW TO FIND HELP

THROUGH THERAPY

                                                                                                        Guide to Psychology

Why do people use therapy?

lIFE IS A COMEDY TO THOSE WHO THINK, A TRAGEDY FOR THOSE WHO FEEL ~  INGERSOL

Therapy is a partnership between an individual and a licensed professional trained to assist people in understanding their feelings and behavior. According to statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one-third of adults experience problems with substance abuse or emotional problem. Nearly 25% suffer at some point from depression or anxiety.

People consider utilizing therapy when:

• they feel overwhelmed, a sense of helplessness or lack hope for an extended period
• their emotional symptoms interfere with functioning on a daily basis (concentration, sleep, appetite, etc.) at work or at home
• their actions are harmful to themselves or others
• they are troubled by emotional problems of a significant other

What does the research say?

• The Stanford School of Medicine reports that psychotherapy effectively reduces the symptoms of anxiety, depression and related symptoms such as nausea, pain and fatigue
• Therapy increases survival time for cancer and heart patients as well as assisting the body's immune system
• Emotional and physical health are closely related
• Some research has shown that 50% of patients improved after 8 sessions, while 75% improved after 6 months
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Panic Disorder

 

 
 
 


 

Selecting a therapist for you

This is a personal process, as no one is right for everyone. Here are some tips about how to "shop" for your therapist:

• talk to family & friends for recommendations
• select a licensed professional from the professional boards (see links on resume)
• consult your primary care physician or your place of worship
• interview by phone or in person regarding degree of experience in the area of your concern
• you get what you pay for; inquire about insurance accepted
• ask for a description of their approach, theoretical framework, or how they conceptualize your problem area
• are they active or passive in the process
• ask yourself if you are comfortable discussing these things with the therapist; do you feel the clinician understands your circumstances and is competent in that area
• the therapist needs to have a world view similar enough to you to establish a rapport, but different enough to offer you new perspectives
• you are not selecting a prospective friend, but a professional to guide you through this process so distinguish between liking them and sensing whether they can be of service
• I encourage all my patients to take a few moments after our initial meeting and "check their gut" regarding their session. Almost without exception, you will instinctively know whether you have made a good selection after the first visit

Evaluating Progress

• have you and the therapist agreed on the problem definition & strategy to resolve it?
• are you having candid discussions?
• have your symptoms diminished? this doesn't mean the problem is solved, but it is one measurement
• sometimes people actually experience an increase in discomfort when uncovering long standing issues, as it takes awhile to identify the root cause - does it seem on the mark?
• the most important factor for successful therapy is the rapport you establish with the therapist - how is it?
• if things are stalled, have you expressed your concerns, discomfort to the therapist? that is part of your responsibility
• you should expect to feel more; broader range, including painful emotions
• review progress with the therapist..... it is your responsibility to inform them of your experience and it is their responsibility to deal with it professionally
• don't be afraid to ask

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