What is the mission of your practice?
Our mission is to encourage adolescents and adults to address their challenges and explore techniques that support optimal wellbeing. By applying a systematic approach to therapy with innovative modalities, such as exercise and ”whole network” engagement, We develop a goal-oriented treatment plan tailored to the objectives of each client.
What is whole network engagement & how does it apply to my child's therapy, our family's therapy?
As adults, we don’t operate in a bubble. Likewise, neither do our children. A child interacts with many different personalities on a daily basis and those relationships form their personal network. From family members to teachers to coaches, if the entire system - the whole network - isn’t engaged, critical opportunities to address challenges and resolve issues could be overlooked. My goal is to incorporate these systems to work together for the best needs of the child.
How can therapy and exercise - active therapy - help me?
Active therapy is a treatment modality that combines exercise and process therapy in order to attain a healthier more productive lifestyle. Exercise can be an effective way to cope with daily life stressors, self-esteem and overall being.
Exercise has scientific benefits to aid with anxiety and depression due to the release of endorphins, which create feelings of happiness and euphoria. Working out for 30 minutes a few times a week can instantly boost overall mood. Exercise can also help control addiction by releasing dopamine “the reward chemical” that some people become addicted to when they are dependent on substances such as alcohol, drugs, food or sex. Short exercise sessions can effectively distract addictions allowing individuals to de-prioritize cravings. Additionally, exercise has the potential to help with the following:
- reduce stress
- improve self-confidence
- prevent cognitive decline
- alieviate anxiety
- boost brain power
- sharpen memory
- increase relaxation
- tap into deeper levels of creativity
- inspire you, inspire those around you
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.
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, death of a loved one, 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 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. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events relevant 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 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 and are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives.
What if I do not want exercise as a component of therapy?
In some cases it may be neither appropriate nor necessary. In this case the therapy will be tailored to your specific needs.
What if I begin an exercise and therapy treatment and I decide I would like to continue with the exercise only? It would then become a boundary issue to continue the exercise routine only once a therapeutic relationship has been established. An individual would be referred to another qualified personal trainer to continue exercise.
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 will be the right course of action.
Do you take insurance, and how does that work?
Detailed information can be found on the Rates & Insurance page. 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?
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.