A number of benefits are available from participating in mental health therapy. Therapists can provide guidance and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, unwanted thoughts, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues, and creative blocks. Many people also find that therapist can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists 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 and your values
• Developing skills and understanding to 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 self-acceptance

It is well established that the long-term solution to mental health and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy and counseling address the root cause of distress and the behavior patterns that get us stuck.  Read more about the considerations between medication and therapy as they relate to improving your mental health.

People have many different motivations for seeking mental health counseling. 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-worth, unwanted thoughts, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts, and creative blocks.

Mental health 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 mental health counseling are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and make positive changes.

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and therapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist’s office. However, there are exceptions relating to safety issues in which confidentiality may need to be broken such as:

Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders 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 threaten to harm another person.

At the first appointment you will be provided a written copy of the informed consent which includes mandated legal reporting regarding the limits of confidentiality.  If you want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone, by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.

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. 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 by giving you the tools you need to address damaging patterns and overcome whatever challenges you face.

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 weekly).

Just like learning a new skill, results from therapy are based on doing things differently and practicing.  The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life.  People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives.