Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy
Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
- Developing skills for improving your relationships
- Finding 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
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 therapists 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.
Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, 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, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your therapist (usually weekly).
It is important 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 in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives.
To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them. 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?
Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but 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 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, Attorney), but 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 threated to harm another person.
Frequently Asked Questions About Life Coaching
Life coaching examines what is going on in the person's life right now, unpacking what their obstacles or challenges are, and formulating a course of action to help them achieve the things that they want in life. Life coaching is also about asking questions and offering a range of skills that empower the person to find the answers within themselves
A life coach will provide a safe and empowering space for individuals to identify the ways that they want to improve their life and then create goals that are positive, future focused and inspiring. They will help to break down these goals into manageable steps to help the person transition from where they currently are, to where they want to be. They will actively listen and offer challenge and thought provoking questions to help the person develop a deeper understanding of themselves. Furthermore, a life coach will also provide accountability and challenge the person's perspective, helping them to step outside of their comfort zones.
In counseling, sessions focus mainly on the person's past in order to bring about understanding and healing. The life coach's goal is not to tell the person what they should do or how to live their life. It's about being a facilitator that empowers the person to identify the changes that they would like to make and then helping them through the process of achieving these goals.
Stress management, time management, organizational skills, self-empowerment, finding your life purpose, goal-setting, etc.
Life coaching sessions are held weekly, unless other arrangements have been made.
Sessions are held via Skype or phone. In-office sessions are also available to those living near New Rochelle, NY.
Unlike therapy, individuals seeking life coaching services could reside anywhere in the world.
During our initial consultation session, we will discuss which package would you benefit from the most.