Roni Zarbiv, LCSW Individual and Family Counseling of Northwest, NJ |
office (201) 602-0988 roni@morriscountycounseling.com Morristown, NJ 07960 |
Is therapy right for me?
Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons
why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with
long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or
depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in
one's life such as a divorce or work transition. Many seek the
advice of counsel as they pursue their own personal exploration and
growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support,
and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can
help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety,
conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general
life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in
getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility,
creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their
lives.
Do I really 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 you've
faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you
need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough
self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is
something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting
where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the
situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits
and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers,
re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you
face.
How can therapy help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in
psychotherapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving
skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as
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 to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships,
family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life.
Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or
point you in the direction of 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:
What is therapy like?
Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and
their specific goals. It is standard for therapists to discuss the
primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. It
is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each
session lasts around fifty minutes. Therapy can be short-term,
focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more
complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when
you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy
sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to
track certain behaviors. It is important to process what has been
discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For
therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both
during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are
willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards
self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are
some things you can expect out of therapy:
Is medication a substitute for therapy?
In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right
course of action. Working with your medical doctor you can determine
what's best for you. 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 best achieve
sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an
integrative approach to wellness.
Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?
To determine if you have mental health coverage, the first thing you
should do is check with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage
carefully and find the answers to the following questions:
Is therapy confidential?
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: