FAQS

Reasons for seeking therapy are often varied and span from seeking help with acute psychiatric issues that are interfering with day to day functioning to seeking self-improvement and improved interpersonal relationships.  Some common signs that therapy might be a good choice for you are:

• Sleep issues – either sleeping to much, difficulty getting to sleep, or frequent waking during the night

• Finding emotional issues are getting in the way of your day to day functioning at work, school, or home

• Having consistent feelings of emptiness, dread, or worry

• Having experienced a recent trauma or life change

• Finding yourself focused on your problems or concerns for one or more hours a day

• Difficulty in interpersonal relationships in your home, personal, or professional life

• Things that use to bring you joy and happiness no longer are

WHAT ARE SIGNS I SHOULD SEEK THERAPY FOR MY CHILD?

Children don’t always express their emotions the same way adults do.  Sometimes it is hard to tell if your child is going through a “phase” or needs professional support.  Some signs your child might benefit from therapy are:

• Sleep issues – either sleeping to much, difficulty getting to sleep, or frequent waking during the night

• A sudden change in behavior such as withdrawing from activities, becoming fearful or worried, or an increase in irritability

• Tearfulness for no known reason or a sudden increase in crying

• Irritability for little or no known reason

• Aggression at home or school

• Other adults are communicating that they have noticed a change in your child such as poor performance at school, and increase in anger or sadness, or withdrawing from others

• A recent trauma or life change

• Difficulty making or sustaining friendships

HOW DO I KNOW YOU ARE THE RIGHT THERAPIST FOR ME?

Time and again studies have shown that one of the strongest indicators of early success in therapy is based on a strong therapeutic alliance.  A study that reflects this was conducted by Hovarth in 2001.  So what does a strong therapeutic alliance look like?

• Agreement on treatment goals

• Mutual engagement

• Respect for and confidence in your therapist

• Ability for both parties to give one another feedback and the ability to correct problems as they arise in a therapeutic relationship.

Beyond this there is a more intangible quality where you just feel you “like” your therapist.  That doesn’t mean you and your therapist are going to be best friends – but that you are comfortable with them enough to want to work with them on a continual basis.  If when you talk to me you just don’t feel a connection, I’m probably not right for you.  That’s okay, there are many other great therapists out there that you will likely feel a connection with.  If you do feel engaged and like you’d like to spend more time with me when we talk then that is a good starting point.

I SAW YOU DO DBT.  DO YOU HAVE AN ADHERENT DBT PROGRAM?

I use elements of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) in my work with clients, amongst other theories.  I do not have DBT groups nor do I practice adherent DBT.

I’M NOT SURE MY CHILD OR TEEN WILL PARTICIPATE IN THERAPY.  WHAT SHOULD I DO?

I find most children and teens like participating in therapy.  They like having their space and time and appreciate having an adult they can talk to confidentially.  In the beginning I ask reluctant teens to participate in 3 sessions to see if they would like to continue participating.  The vast majority choose to continue working with me.  In cases where children and teens will not participate, Parenting Coaching, where I work with parents on how to deal with behaviors at home, may be a good option.