How can therapy help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapy 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 find that therapy can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapy 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:
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
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 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. With collaboration between the client and therapist, therapy can provide long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need 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 therapy. 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 a range of 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 therapy 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. 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 bi 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 therapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are 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 best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of 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.
Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?
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 threatened to harm another person.
What is an employee assistance program?
EAPs are designed to supplement standard employee benefits packages and help employees overcome personal issues that might interfere with their job responsibilities and productivity. EAPs fill the gaps of standard benefits plans and were the first real attempt by many employers to safeguard the mental well-being of their employees. These popular programs are a win-win: employees enjoy access to much-needed services, and, with positive results, employers enjoy productive workers.
What services are included?
Although the exact offerings of an employee assistance program vary from company to company, an EAP typically provides workers confidential help in the following areas:
Substance abuse — Helping employees cope with issues surrounding drug and alcohol abuse was an original purpose of EAPs. Today, many programs offer access to professional counselors who can help employees overcome addiction. If the company's program does not offer free counseling, you can obtain referrals.
Conflict resolution — Many EAPs offer mediation and conflict resolution services to assist employees with relationship issues at home or in the office. Mediation is a very common feature of EAPs, but if it is not available, program administrators can give you a referral.
Counseling and mental health services — EAPs can provide counseling services for workers dealing with marital problems, parenting issues, depression, anxiety, or other concerns. You can also receive mental health screenings and therapy referrals if needed. Depending on the stipulations of your program, such services may be available free of charge.
Career transition services — If you lose your job, the EAP can help during the transitional period by offering counseling and resources related to finding a new job.
Retirement and financial planning — Counselors in the EAP can help you navigate simple tasks, such as creating a budget, as well as major financial decisions, such as planning for retirement or buying a home.
Other benefits an employee assistance program offers
Confidentiality — Counselors, therapists, and program administrators are bound by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure your information remains confidential. This lets you speak freely with counselors without worrying about ramifications or gossip at work.
Round-the-clock help — Many EAPs have 24-hour hotlines that you can call immediately when you need help, rather than waiting and worrying.
Plan ahead by finding out whether your prospective employer or current workplace offers an employee assistance program and, if so, what benefits are included in it. That way, when a big financial decision or a personal challenge comes up, you'll be ready to tap into the valuable services that are available to you.