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How do I pick a therapist?
The relationship between client and therapist is an essential and key part of the therapy process. It is important that you feel safe and comfortable with your therapist and trust in their knowledge and clinical skills. Entering into therapy is an important decision, requiring a commitment of your time and energy, as well as an investment of your finances and emotions. You will know that you are with the right therapist when you feel recognized and understood and safe enough to begin to explore new ways to deal more effectively with the issues you are facing… and ready to better understand yourself more fully.
How can I benefit from therapy?
Therapy provides a supportive, confidential, non-judgmental setting where you can explore whatever issues feel significant to your life and your personal well being. From building self-esteem, reducing stress, improving relationships and addressing difficult life transitions or serious illness - the types of issues that are addressed in therapy are as diverse as people themselves.
You can gain a better understanding of the way that you think and how your thinking affects your feelings, behaviors, actions and relationships. Acquiring this type of understanding can assist you in making better choices that help you feel more positive, productive, successful, happy and content. Talking with an impartial professional can uncover different perspectives and new strategies for addressing situations and dealing with particular issues more effectively and confidently.
Do I really need therapy?
It’s not uncommon to question whether therapy may or may not be helpful in dealing with certain situations. People often feel as though they should be able to address their issues themselves or worry that no one will be able to understand what they are experiencing.
Therapy may be helpful if you:
- Have trouble maintaining satisfying relationships
- Experience difficulty in expressing your feelings or understanding how you feel
- Experience bouts of depression, moodiness, stress, anxiousness or anger
- Are struggling with an issue that your are uncomfortable sharing with those close to you
- Have difficulty finding or keeping a satisfying job or career
- Use food, drugs, alcohol, sex or shopping as ways to manage difficult feelings or situations
- Often feel isolated, lonely, unloved, unattractive and/or have low self-esteem
Therapy is a very individual process. If you have questions, please feel free to call (410.730.0552, 3#) to set up an initial consultation to begin exploring whether or not therapy may be beneficial to you.
Does therapy really work?
Simply put, yes. Research shows that psychotherapy can be extremely helpful for the majority of clients who actively participate in their treatment. Past studies have shown that, in treating depression, psychotherapy combined with medication is more effective than simply taking medication alone. Studies have also shown that people that who engage in therapy are psychologically healthier at the end of therapy than those who faced similar problems and did not.
What can I expect in the first few sessions?
In your first session, you will discuss with Suzanne your goals and objectives for therapy. Suzanne’s office is peaceful, casual and comfortable… with a large picture window looking into the woods. Once a basis for working together has been established, Suzanne will work with you to assess the varied areas of your life; paying particular attention to what motivated you to come to therapy in the first place. You will discuss your current situation, briefly touching on factors such as your family and historical background. Together, you will define initial treatment goals and your path for beginning the therapeutic process in a very supportive, non-judgmental environment. Therapy sessions generally take place on a weekly basis.
Can I use my health insurance?
Issues of insurance coverage can be very overwhelming - for clients and therapists alike. As a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW-C), Suzanne’s services are generally reimbursable through most insurance carriers. Suzanne is a “non-participating” or “out of network” provider for all insurance / managed healthcare providers. She has made this decision in an effort to insure the confidentiality of her clients and retain the ability to make treatment decisions without interference from insurance companies. Suzanne will provide you with a monthly statement (containing all necessary codes and information) that you may submit to your insurance company so that they may reimburse you directly.
As health insurance coverage varies greatly from plan to plan, it is always a good idea to check with your insurance company for specific benefit eligibility and reimbursement policies before entering therapy. Payment for each therapy session is due at the time of treatment. Suzanne will try to be helpful and answer any questions that you may have regarding insurance issues.
What role do I play in my therapy? What role does my therapist play?
Suzanne views therapy as a very collaborative process; she works actively with her clients to assist them in identifying their goals and in dealing with whatever issues or challenges they face. Throughout treatment, she will ask for feedback from you as it relates to your expectations and opinions on your progress. The hope is for you and Suzanne to establish a comfortable, honest, working relationship that can help you to achieve your goals, address the issues you are dealing with and improve the quality of your life. When that is accomplished, therapy becomes a place you actually look forward to going!
Suzanne has had years of training of extensive training and experience in a variety of both traditional and non-traditional clinical theories and approaches. She always attempts to individualize her treatment to meet the unique needs of each of her clients.
How long will I be in therapy?
The length of time that people participate in therapy varies from person to person, depending on what they hope to achieve. People dealing with problems that are more limited in scope tend to be in treatment for shorter periods of time than those who have more general concerns or are challenged by long-standing issues.
What if I require medication or medical treatment*?
The decision to take medication is not one to take lightly. Should you and Suzanne decide that medication may be a useful addition to your treatment, you will have the opportunity to thoroughly discuss the pros and cons of medication and your thoughts and feelings about it in your therapy session.
If you decide to explore the issue of medication and get additional information, you will be referred to a psychiatrist (or your primary care physician) for an evaluation. With your signed consent, Suzanne will collaborate with your psychiatrist or primary care physician on your treatment needs.
*If your therapy with Suzanne is related to issues of an eating disorder, it will be absolutely necessary for you to have a primary care physician or personal doctor to medically monitor your overall health and progress.
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