Why psychotherapy?
Despite the fact that psychotherapy/mental health counseling services have been proven to be effective, reduce the overall need for health services, and produce long term health improvements, these services remain highly underutilized. The use of therapy services to treat various mental and behavioral health issues has declined while the use of prescription drug use for psych symptoms is on the rise. Consumers are bombarded with advertisements touting the "cure" for their emotional discomfort, relationship issues, and life stress comes in the form of a pill...and it can be misleading. Due to this confusion, in 2012 the American Psychological Association adopted a resolution on psychotherapy effectiveness, citing 50 peer reviewed studies on psychotherapy and its effectiveness in treating a spectrum of health issues. Key findings of this review (APA, 2012) are as follows:
Areas of Training include (but are not limited to):
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Dr. Molly knows that change can be scary, and that taking the first step towards a new life may be the hardest one. Dr. Molly cherishes the trust that develops in the therapeutic relationship, and is deeply invested in each of her clients. She is invested in providing her clients both direction and support in the change process. Call today and allow Dr. Molly, with her unique training, to assist you in overcoming the difficulties you are facing.
"...Change can be scary, and taking the first step towards a new life may be the hardest one." So first, let us answer some of your questions:
Is therapy right for me? Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one's life such as a divorce, work transition, or loss of a loved one. Many seek the advice of counsel as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives. What is a counselor/therapist (LPC/LMFT)? Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) are licensed as independent providers of mental health services, including the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional issues, and use a variety of therapeutic techniques. Possession of a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling from a national or regionally-accredited institution of higher education, including an internship and coursework on human behavior and development, effective counseling strategies, ethical practice, and other core knowledge areas; completion of a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-master’s degree supervised clinical experience, performed within two years, and periodic completion of continuing education credits/hours after obtaining licensure; passage of the National Counselor Examination (NCE); and adherence to a strict Code of Ethics and recognized standards of practice, as regulated by the state’s counselor licensure board. The practice of professional counseling includes, but is not limited to, the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, including addictive disorders; psychoeducational techniques aimed at the prevention of such disorders; consultation to individuals, couples, families, groups, and organizations; and research into more effective therapeutic treatment modalities. Counselors’ training in the provision of counseling and therapy includes the etiology of mental illness and substance abuse disorders, and the provision of the well-established treatments of cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, and psychodynamic therapy. Counselors’ education and training is oriented toward the adoption of a truly client-centered, and not primarily illness-centered, approach to therapy. For more information visit the Louisiana LPC board website: www.lpcboard.org Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are mental health professionals trained in psychotherapy and family systems, and licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage, couples and family systems. Marriage and family therapists are a highly experienced group of practitioners, with an average of 13 years of clinical practice in the field of marriage and family therapy. They evaluate and treat mental and emotional disorders, other health and behavioral problems, and address a wide array of relationship issues within the context iof the family system. Marriage and Family Therapists broaden the traditional emphasis on the individual to attend to the nature and role of individuals in primary relationship networks such as marriage and the family. MFTs take a holistic perspective to health care; they are concerned with the overall, long-term well-being of individuals and their families. MFTs have graduate training (a Master's or Doctoral degree) in marriage and family therapy and at least two years of clinical experience. Marriage and family therapists are recognized as a "core" mental health profession, along with psychiatry, psychology, social work and psychiatric nursing (About AAMFT. (n.d.). Retrieved January 1, 2015, from http://www.aamft.org/iMIS15/AAMFT/Content/about_aamft/Qualifications.aspx). Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my own problems. Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you have faced, there is nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they could use some advice or assistance, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you are in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face. How can therapy help me? A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for many emotional/psychological issues. Many people also find that therapists 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:
What is therapy like? Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. It is standard for therapists to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around 45 minutes to an hour. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect out of therapy:
Is medication a substitute for therapy? In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your therapist and medical doctor can help you determine what is best for you. It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the foundations and origins 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. |