FAQ

Each therapy session is tailored to the individual and their specific goals. In most sessions, your therapist will focus on the main issues or concerns in your life. Typically, therapy involves a series of weekly appointments, with each session lasting around fifty minutes. Therapy can be brief, addressing a particular issue, or longer-term, focusing on deeper, more complex matters or ongoing personal growth. At times, your therapist might ask you to take certain actions between sessions—like reading a book or keeping track of certain behaviors. This helps you process and apply what’s discussed in therapy. For therapy to be most effective, it’s important to be an active participant both in and outside of sessions. Those seeking therapy are often committed to taking responsibility for their actions, working toward personal change, and increasing self-awareness. Here’s what you can expect from therapy:

• Practical strategies for making lasting change
• Increased self-compassion, respect, and understanding
• New perspectives to help identify and shift negative patterns
• Evidence-based techniques and guidance that are both effective and actionable

Engaging in psychotherapy can bring numerous benefits. Therapists offer support, problem-solving techniques, and effective coping strategies for challenges such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, relationship struggles, unresolved childhood experiences, grief, stress management, body image concerns, and creative blocks. Many individuals also find therapy invaluable for navigating personal growth, improving relationships, addressing family dynamics, managing marriage difficulties, and handling everyday stressors. A therapist can provide fresh insights into complex problems and guide you toward practical solutions. The impact of therapy depends on your commitment to the process and applying what you learn. Some key benefits include:

• Gaining a deeper understanding of yourself, your values, and your goals
• Developing skills to enhance your relationships
• Resolving the concerns that brought you to therapy
• Learning effective strategies for managing stress and anxiety
• Coping with strong emotions like anger, grief, and depression
• Strengthening communication and active listening skills
• Identifying and replacing harmful behavioral patterns with healthier ones
• Finding new approaches to resolving family or marital challenges
• Boosting self-esteem and increasing self-confidence

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client. However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:

• Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.
• If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken, such as involuntary hospitalization.