INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY
Generally people seek psychotherapy when they feel they are overwhelmed with some feelings, behaviors and situations in their life and recognize they need someone outside of themselves to help them. Often this comes after many months and sometimes years of grappling alone. Eventually, it becomes clear that one needs something other than oneself to overcome these states and to have an easier, happier life. Reaching out for help is a sign of RESOURCEFULNESS.
Why do people seek Psychotherapy?
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Typically people come to therapy with symptons such as:
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depression
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anxiety
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stress
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relationship issues
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work and money issues
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life transition issues
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unhappiness
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shame
Is Psychotherapy Effective?
​Research has shown that psychotherapy results in fewer relapses of common conditions such as moderate depression and anxiety, and that the positive effects of good therapy extend well beyond treatment. In fact, many clients report improved conditions long after therapy has ended. In general, psychotherapy is often more effective than psychotropic drugs or medical treatments alone, which may cause harmful side effects. In addition, many therapeutic modalities are evidence-based, meaning they have been subject to research studies and clinical observations, and they have been analyzed for effectiveness.
"..the benefits of psychodynamic psychotherapy not only endure but increase with time, a finding that has emerged from at least 5 different meta-analysis" The Efficacy of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Jonathan Shedler"
Watch Brene Brown speak with Oprah about FAKING IT, AUTHENTICITY AND PERFECTIONSIM.
Common Myths of Psychotherapy
It will mean I'm weak or crazy.
The idea you are weak, crazy or flawed comes from a culture that has overidealized perfectionism. Thinking there is a "normal" life, a "normal way of being" or a "perfect life" overlooks the fact that we are all different - with different genetics, different cultures, different influences, different education and different opportunities. To think we can cope with everything that is thrown in our path by ourselves is part of the grandiosity that comes with perfectionism. It's just human to struggle. No one has control over what life they are thrown into or what crosses their path. "All perfectionism is, is the 20-ton shield that we carry around hoping that it will keep us from being hurt," Brene Brown For more about Brene Brown
Therapy will make me worse.
Reality: For those who have experienced childhood trauma, such as emotional or physical abuse and neglect, the thought of focusing attention inward and turning toward old feelings associated with trauma can be extraordinarily anxiety provoking. Survivors of abuse and neglect generally have parts of themselves that want to heal desperately, but because other parts of themselves have long prevented the individual from being hurt the same way again and feeling old, horrible feelings, the thought of going anywhere near the traumatic material—of remembering—is understandably frightening. Many people who have avoided therapy for this reason finally come to therapy as a last resort after trying other methods of coping and forgetting such as addictions, alcohol, and even psychotropic meds.
Whether one has experienced severe trauma or not, everyone gets hurt in life and can’t avoid harboring some amount of pain. So it’s safe to say that most of us have stuff that could benefit from therapy and, more to the point, the fear of going near anything painful is nearly omnipresent in our culture.
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It's no different than talking to friends and family.
Reality: Actually it is. First of all, not everyone has friends or family they can talk too. And if you do have freinds or family to talk to that's great for support or advice. But a therapist is doing something more than just listening and generally do not give advice. A psychotherapist is listening in a particular way based on years of education and training to help you identify where and why you are stuck in life. A psychotherapist has understanding of complex psychological processes and behavorial development that they bring to help you accomplish your goals in therapy.