Common Questions

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a way to help people with a wide variety of mental illnesses and emotional difficulties. Psychotherapy can help eliminate or control troubling symptoms to function better and increase well-being and healing. Problems helped by psychotherapy include difficulties in coping with daily life; the impact of trauma, medical illness, or loss, like the death of a loved one; and specific mental disorders, like depression or anxiety. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

• Learning more about yourself. 
• Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
• Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
• Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional stressors.
• Improving communication and listening skills
• Changing destructive behavior patterns and developing healthier ones
• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
• Developing skills for improving your relationships
• Improving positive physical health. 

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. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to overcome the challenges faced in life.The American Psychological Association suggests considering therapy when something causes distress and interferes with some part of life, particularly when:

• Thinking about or coping with the issue takes up at least an hour each day.
• The issue causes embarrassment or makes you want to avoid others.
• The issue has caused your quality of life to decrease.
• The issue has negatively affected school, work, or relationships.
• You've made changes in your life or develop habits to cope with the issue.

I do not prescribe any medications. Psychiatrists, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners prescribe psychotropic medication.  I am familiar with medications but am not able to give guidance. I often communicate with medication prescribers if you request us to help them better help you.

It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause is not solely 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.