Common Questions - Mary Jane DeWolf-Smith - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, RN, PHN

How can therapy help me?

A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can help you find a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or explore with you possible solutions. The benefits obtained from therapy depend on actively participating in the process and putting into practice what you discover to be effective strategies. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values.
Developing skills for improving your relationships.
Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy.
Learning new ways to cope with stress, anxiety, frustration.
Managing your children and adult relationships.
Mindfully working with your emotions as guides to better understanding.
Working through grief, loss and depression.
Improving communication and listening skills.
Developing skills that enhance your lifelong well-being.
Discovering effective ways to solve personal and family challenges.
Exploring ways to find your sense of purpose and meaning.

Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you’ve faced, seeking out extra support when you need it in your personal life is wise. Just as you seek our consultation in so many other areas of your life by licensed profesionals, you benefit from the training and experience of a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists who must complete a graduate school education, obtaining a Masters Degree in Psychological Counseling and complete two to four years of internship under the supervision and training of specially trained licensed therapist.

Those seeking out a licensed therapist are being pro-active and wisely seeking ways to enhance their life. And clients find that their investment in themselves and their loved ones can provide long-lasting benefits and support, and tools to overcome and grow from life’s challenges.

Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it is right for me?

People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy. Some may be going through a major life transition (pregnancy, birth, new relationship, new job, unemployment, divorce, life-threatening illness, loss.), or are not effectively handling stressful circumstances. Some people seek assistance managing a range of other common issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts and creative blocks.

Therapy can help provide some much needed encouragement and help with skills to get 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 psychotherapy are ready to meet life’s challenges and to explore ways to make positive changes.

What is therapy like?

Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual, couple or family. 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 based on your particular goals and desire for more personal development. Generally speaking clients find that they meet their goals more quickly when they schedule regular sessions with their therapist so that each week’s progress builds on the previous week.

Clients find that they benefit most from therapy when actively participating in the process, in this way clients bring what they discover in sessions back into everyday life. Therefore, therapists may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process – such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on thoughts, feelings and behaviors or taking action on goals.

People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, and are open to new perspectives.

What about medication vs. psychotherapy?

Sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being is best achieved with an integrative approach to wellness. It is well established that long-term solutions to mental and emotional challenges and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. And while there are certain instances when medication is essential, research shows that incorporating therapy into prescriptive regimen has more lasting positive results. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what’s best for you. And psychotherapy which addresses underlying psycho-biological causes of distress can then build thinking-feeling-action behavior patterns that enhance mind-body health.

Do you take insurance?

I am an out of network provider and do not take insurance. Payment is made by check for each session.

Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist’s office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”. Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your Physician, Naturopath, Attorney), but by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.

State law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:

Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, 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 threated to harm another person.