What you may want to know about counseling and psychotherapy.
Although every experience is unique to the individuals, here are some reactions and recommendations from those that have been through the therapeutic process. Here are samples of our Google Reviews.
"I have been seeing Manuela for over a year. She is easy to talk to and makes you feel comfortable from the start. There is nothing I wouldn't tell her. She helped me with my diagnosis, and as I continue use of her services, she provides me with tools to help me navigate things in my life that have weighed me down. I'm a work in progress, a beautiful disaster, but Manuela has not given up on me yet, so I'm not giving up on myself, either."
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"Manuela is an amazing listener & provides great services. I feel very lucky to have been recommended to her & will continue to recommend her to others from my own experience."
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"Manuela has been seeing daughter for about 2 years now. My daughter enjoys talking to her so much that after every session, she will ask me when her next appointment is. When you are talking to Manuela, you can feel the level of care and support she really has for you. Highly recommend her."
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"Manuela is AMAZING. I have been going to her for about six years. I came to her at my lowest, and she helped get me back to myself again. After this long, I can go in when I need it the most, and because of all of the tools she has given me, it's usually a quick fix! I can't thank her enough for all that she has done for me. Highly recommend."
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How can a therapist help you?
Many benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset in managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a complex problem or point you toward a solution. 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 your values
- Developing skills for improving your relationships
- Finding a 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 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, there's nothing wrong with seeking extra support when you need it. Therapy is for people with enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, which is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting your position and committing to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools 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 other issues, such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts and creative blocks. Therapy can help provide some much-needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these 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. You can generally expect to discuss the current events and your personal history relevant to your issue 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, longer-term to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, scheduling regular sessions with your therapist (usually weekly) is the most common.
It is essential 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, your therapist 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, 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 achieve sustainable growth and greater 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?
You should first call them to determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier. 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?
- How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
- Is approval required from my primary care physician?
Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?
Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and a psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but in the therapist's office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in the session will not be shared with anyone. This is called "Informed Consent." Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your Physician, Naturopath, or Attorney). Still, by law, your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.
However, state law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
* Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
* If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.