• Nine out of ten Americans say psychotherapy helped them. (APA, How to Find Help Through Psychotherapy, 1998)
• Resilience involves behaviors, thoughts, and actions that can be learned by anyone. (APA, The Road to Resilience, 2002)
• Ninety-one percent of Americans are likely to consult or recommend that a family member consult with a mental health professional. (APA Survey 2004)
• Two thirds of Americans say they are likely to seek help for stress. (APA Survey 2004)
•  E.M.D.R. therapy is recommended as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder in the practice guidelines of a wide range of organizations, like the American Psychiatric Association (in 2004), the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense (in 2010), the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (in 2009), and other organizations worldwide, including in Britain, France, the Netherlands and Israel (The New York Times, “The Evidence on EMDR,” March 2012)

Trust your instincts.  If you are considering the idea that it might be helpful to talk to someone about what’s going on, then you are probably right.  Some of the most successful clients are those who are doing quite well but need some extra attention in a specific area of life.

There are times when family and friends can be extremely helpful assisting us with our issues.  Oftentimes they can help us determine our best options or encourage us to keep the faith.  There are times, however, when those closest to us may not ask the right questions or provide the best guidance.  Professional counselors are trained to listen and to ask the right questions.  We do not make decisions for you; rather we help you sort out your options based on the values that are important to you.

No.  Most people would agree that realizing your need for professional counseling  and taking the steps to secure it is a sign of personal strength.  Ultimately, you have to decide.  We all need a support system.  The question is whether or not  your current support system is adequate in light of the issues you are currently facing.

Research studies consistently show that the most important thing in a counseling relationship is not the theoretical orientation or intervention used, but the quality of the relationship between the counselor and the client.  If you do not like and trust your counselor on a basic level, the counseling is going to be ineffective.

With that said, as a patient or client, most of what happens in therapy depends on you. You are hiring your therapist to help you change things in your life. It is important to be completely honest with your therapist. He or she can’t help you if you withhold important information. At times , the counselor may invite a family member or significant other into the the session with you to get another perspective.

Take some time after the session to review what was said and to think about how to act on it. A therapy session usually lasts under an hour, but you have many more hours in the week to follow-up on what was said. Be sure to do any homework that you were asked to do. Not all therapists assign tasks to do between sessions, but when they are assigned they are important to the process.

Pay attention to your thoughts and emotions between sessions. Let your therapist about any patterns that you notice, especially anything out of the ordinary.  Write things down and take them to the session if you need to.  Journaling can be very helpful.

Counseling is a partnership. It will be most effective if you are an active partner.

No.  Typically a psychiatrist, internist, or primary care doctor prescribes medication. Most problems can be solved without medication. However, some problems include a medical component, and medication is a valuable resource. During the counseling process, we can help you determine whether or not medication is indicated. If it is, we can refer you to a psychiatrist and collaborate with him or her in order to coordinate your care.

• MA:  Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapist
• MFT:  Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
• LPC:  Licensed Professional Counselor

While voicemails and emails are typically responded to within twenty-four hours, if you are having an immediate emergency, please dial 911 or go to the nearest hospital and check-in at the emergency room.