FAQ's
When Should People Seek Therapy
Individuals and Families commonly seek Therapy when they encounter a level of distress which they feel unable to handle alone. It is common to seek private or group Therapy services to address the following issues:
- Anxiety/ Persistent Worry/ Panic Attacks
- Depression/ Apathy/ Low Energy/ Poor Motivation
- Relationship Issues/ Difficulty with Intimacy
- Eating Disorders/ Episodic Binge Eating/ Restricted Intake
- Family Issues
- Sexual Problems/ Dysfunction
- Low Self-Esteem
- Anger
- Sexual Assault/ Abuse
- Loneliness
- Sleep Disturbances
- Abusive Relationships
What to Expect From Therapy
Assessment
What will happen in Therapy depends on the special needs and strengths of each person seeking assistance. For this reason, each Therapy experience is unique, just as each individual is unique. The first few sessions are usually spent clarifying the problem and examining what solutions have already been attempted. This is often referred to as the assessment phase of Therapy. During this time your therapist may gather information about your past, your personal style and relationship patterns, as well as your intellectual and emotional functioning. This aids the therapist in determining which Therapeutic strategies might be most helpful for you. Once given the chance to clarify your issues, you and the therapist will be better able to formulate realistic, achievable Treatment Plans and Goals.
Problem Resolution
There are many different approaches available to you in working toward problem resolution. Typically this phase of treatment will include learning new problem-solving or coping skills, increasing self-understanding, exploring life patterns, and gaining a better sense of how you are influenced by relationships and your surroundings. Therapists frequently focus on ones' unique strengths and past success experiences in this phase of treatment. Working together, you and your therapist can identify and implement the most effective solutions based on your unique circumstances.
It is important to address any concerns you have about your working relationship with your therapist, including any expectations or concerns you have about the Therapeutic process. You have a right to be informed, and the therapist has a responsibility to address your concerns.
Intake
Your first Therapy appointment will be considered an intake session and will take anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes. You and therapist will work together to clarify your issues and to consider which services will be most appropriate for you. During the first meeting, information about your intellectual and emotional style, your family history, and your personal relationship history is gathered. This information will assist in determining which Therapeutic strategies might be most helpful for you. With this information in mind, you can work together with your therapist to formulate initial goals.
At times, an individual's mental health concerns, safety and or needs exceed what is manageable in a private office setting. The treating Therapist may determine that a referral to a more appropriate treatment setting or care provider in the community is needed. Should this be the case for you, your therapist will work closely with you to identify the most appropriate referrals given your circumstances, personal resources, and individual needs.
Getting the Most Out Of Therapy
Define your goals. Think about what you would like to get out of Therapy. It might be helpful to write a list of events, relationship issues, and feelings that you think are contributing to your distress. Take time before each session to consider your expectations for that session. As Therapy progresses, longer-term goals may emerge along with some ideas about how to progress toward these goals.
Consider how you feel about the Therapy relationship. Since a good working relationship is vital to successful Therapy, you will want to experience a satisfying level of trust and understanding with your therapist. Nonetheless, self-exploration and change involve hard work, and sometimes painful feelings are stirred up in the process of healing. Therefore, it may be unrealistic to expect that you will feel completely comfortable at all times during sessions. Therapist are trained to pay close attention to these issues and will probably encourage you to discuss these feelings openly. Because Therapy is a mutual enterprise, you and your therapist may also make adjustments in your working style to better meet your needs for both encouragement and support.
Be an active participant. . This is your Therapeutic Process, so be as active as you wish in deciding how to use the time. Be honest during sessions and give feedback about how you see the sessions progressing.
Recognize and express feelings. The recognition, acceptance, and expression of feelings pave the way for personal growth and change. Thoughts and feelings are equally important in working through difficulties. Your therapist will work with you to integrate your thoughts and emotions in a balanced way.
Be patient with yourself. Growth takes time, effort, and patience. All of your coping skills, behavior patterns and self-perceptions have been learned and reinforced over a long period of time. Changing what has become such an integral part of your self is very difficult and at times slow. By having patience with yourself and accepting and understanding the natural resistance we all feel toward change, you set the foundation for developing and changing in more appropriate and satisfying directions.
Group Therapy
Groups provide a safe environment in which you can experiment with new behaviors, improve communication skills, and receive feedback from others with similar concerns and interests. Some groups focus on specific skills and themes while others provide support for specific groups. An initial intake session is generally recommended to ensure the best fit into an appropriate Group.
Why would someone choose Group Therapy instead of Individual Therapy?
Some of the benefits of Group Therapy are:
- allows you to be less isolated as you work on your issues
- helps you to realize you're not alone in your struggles
- provides multiple perspectives on issues and how you are seen by others
- provides an ideal means for practicing and learning new interpersonal behaviors
- helping others helps you to see your own issues differently and to feel you have something to offer others
Getting the Most From a Therapy Group
Define your goals. Think about what you would like to get out of the group. Take time before each session to define your expectations for that session. Group members and the leader(s) can help you with this.
Recognize and respect your own pace. Some group members will always be ready to disclose their thoughts and feelings; others need more time to gain feelings of trust and security. By respecting your need to become involved when ready, you are learning self- acceptance.
Allow yourself to ask for group time. Some group members hesitate to take the time to disclose their concerns because they feel that others need the time or they question the importance of what they have to say. Many people experience this feeling and it may be important to use group to figure out what this means in your life.
Focus on what is most important to you. You are encouraged to talk about whatever is important to you: relationships with significant others, questions about life goals and directions, childhood memories, dreams and feelings about yourself. As you talk about these concerns, the group will be helping you to recognize themes and patterns so that these can be dealt with more directly.
Recognize and express feelings. The recognition, acceptance and expression of feelings pave the way for personal growth and change. Group may be helpful in aiding you in integrating your thoughts and emotions in a balanced manner.
Be an active group member. Although most group leaders like to have a group of active participants, you need to determine how active and involved you want to be. Express your reactions and share your support, but also listen and reflect on what you're learning.
Take risks. The group setting is an excellent place to experiment with different ways of behaving and expressing yourself. By taking risks, you can discover what works for you and what doesn't.
Be patient with yourself. Growth takes time, effort, and patience. All of your coping skills have been learned and reinforced over a long period of time. Keep in mind that changing what has become such as integral part of your self can be a difficult and slow process.
Crisis Intervention
The ACT Therapeutic Team is available during regular office hours to see you or consult with you. We define a crisis as a situation where a person appears to feel greatly overwhelmed and unable to cope with some problem, is experiencing increased stress, is unable to think or act clearly or appropriately, yet feels pressure to make a decision, take some action, or make some kind of immediate change.
Direct intervention involves speaking directly to the person(s) in crisis, generally at Counseling Services.