WHAT IS PSYCHOTHERAPY ALL ABOUT?
Psychotherapy is a process by which you examine your thoughts, feelings, actions and relationships within the safety of a therapeutic relationship with a licensed therapist.
You will jointly evaluate where problems exist, or where changes are likely to improve your life satisfaction and overall psychological adjustment. You can then learn how to make the changes you choose to make that are necessary to achieve a better life adjustment and live a more contented and satisfying life.
Therapy sessions are usually terminated by mutual agreement, when both of you feel you have achieved your goals for therapy. Oftentimes, clients return to therapy as various life situations occur that they would like to address. Therapy is not an "all-or-nothing" event. It is a process you engage whenever you feel the need for assistance. In the state of CT, your confidential therapy records are kept for at least seven years before they may be destroyed.
PSYCHOTHERAPY INVOLVES:
Guided self-assessment to identify life adjustment problems, personal conflicts, relationship issues, behavioral problems, family conflicts, self-identity issues, emotional problems, and/or life stage development issues that are interfering with overall life adjustment, emotional well-being, and life satisfaction
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If issues have been chronic, exploration and identification of the origins of these problems, conflicts and/or issues, both psychologically and factually
·Development of a plan for change to resolve these problems and/or issues, including both personal psychological changes and situational life changes
·Assistance in making the necessary personal and life changes, through coaching, psychological education, ongoing behavioral and emotional analysis and feedback, emotional support, behavioral and cognitive training, and assistance in reformulating life goals and plans to achieve those goals
APPOINTMENTS:
Initially, psychotherapy appointments are usually schedul-ed once a week. This allows for steady progress toward resolving the presenting problem, and allows enough time between sessions for you to work on issues discussed in the session.
Occasionally, if a life crisis occurs or if depression or anxiety are particularly severe, sessions may be scheduled more frequently. If you are using health insurance, it usually won’t cover more than one session per week without prior authorization.
Once therapy progress is being made, you and your therapist may decide to schedule sessions every other week, if you feel that progress will not be hampered by the change in schedule.
PSYCHOTHERAPY MAY BE HELPFUL WHEN:
*You feel overwhelmed by life problems and need assistance with sorting out and problem solving
*Depression, anxiety, stress or anger are taking over your life
*You don't know how to manage a major life decision that you are facing
*You are having difficulty developing and/or maintaining positive relationships
*You would like to improve your communication skills
*You suffer from low self-esteem
*You are having difficulty coping with a serious illness or life change in yourself, or in a family member or friend
*Your job is too stressful and you feel as if you can't handle it anymore or you want to make a career change
*You need support and direction through a challenging life situation.
*You don't know what to do, or where to turn for help
*You have little or no support from family and/or friends
KEY POINT:
You should always feel a sense of mutual respect and liking between youself and your therapist. The therapist must be someone you can talk with freely and easily. Sometimes, the first therapist you consult with may not be the one for you. Always feel free to choose another therapist if you don't feel comfortable after the first few sessions. Most therapists will understand and often assist you in locating a more suitable therapist for you.
I hope this information has been helpful to you and you have a very rewarding and positive experience in therapy.
Ginger E. Blume, Ph.D. & Associates
