Common Questions

Why should I go to a Therapist?

Going to a therapist can be a worthwhile growing and stabilizing experience, good for times when you have specific problems, interpersonal problems, or generally feeling down.  Many people tend to go to a therapist during a crisis.  The reasons for going to therapy at this point is to be able to stabilize your life so that it is not in any immediate threat. Sometimes, however, people go into a therapist’s office with a crisis and find there are things that underlie it that you want to uncover or work on. 

What is a counselor/therapist?

A therapist serves as a genuine, empathic individual who is unbiased, supportive, and can provide objective, nonjudgmental guidance. A therapist’s role is to help clients find their own answers, not to give them answers.  Therapists are good at understanding people, seeing patterns, and making differential diagnosis but therapists should not be directing people’s lives unless a person is highly dysfunctional.  A therapist’s job is to help people tap into their own resources, wisdom and strengths.

Do I need to have a "major" problem to see a Therapist?

Just feeling unable to deal with your problem or feeling unhappy makes you a good therapy candidate.  Therapy can have many different levels, all which might be more appropriate at certain times than others. Therapy should be viewed as a “tool” which can be used to work on even problems you consider “minor.”

What should I look for first in a Therapist?

First and foremost, you must find a therapist you feel comfortable with.  Therapy is not an easy process and your therapist is not there to be your friend.  Having said that, however, you can certainly choose a therapist whom you feel respects your individuality, opinions, and self. You must be able to trust your therapist 100 percent and if you cannot and feel like you have to lie to your therapist or withhold important information, you are not going to get any real help.

What will your initial session with Karen entail?

It is common for those new to therapy to feel anxious and uncomfortable about starting the process of therapy. The first session with Karen will typically include certain questions about you and your life. This information will help her make an initial assessment of your situation.  Questions she might ask include:

Why you sought therapy? A particular Issue probably led you to seek counseling.  Your therapist has to understand your surface problem(s) before she can get to the deeper issues.

Your personal history and current situation.  Karen will ask you a series of questions about your life. For example, because family situations play an important role in who you are, she’ll ask about your family history and your current family situation

Your current symptoms. Other than knowing the reason you sought therapy, the therapist will attempt to find out if you’re suffering from other symptoms of your problem.

Be open. Therapists are trained to ask the right questions, but they’re not mind readers. Karen can do her job more effectively if you answer the questions openly and honestly.

Should I prepare before the first session?

Yes. Before you come to the session know how to describe “what is wrong,” and describe your feelings about your problem. One way to prepare is to write down reasons you’re seeking help.  Make a list and then read it out loud. Hearing yourself say it a few times will help you describe things more clearly.

How long is a session?  Frequency?

The length of therapy sessions last usually between 45 to 50 minutes. In general, most people usually are in therapy once a week or every other week. When you’re just starting treatment and this is your first time getting to know the therapist, it generally is not suggested that you have that much time between sessions. Because therapy can be expensive, how often you go might also be dictated by how many sessions your insurance will pay for.

How many counseling sessions will I need?

While this might seem like an easy question, it is the most difficult to answer since individuals vary widely with their own backgrounds, experiences, and reason for treatment. For mild issues, treatment can be relatively brief or short-term and will likely end within 8-12 sessions. For more severe conditions (especially chronic or long-term difficulties), it’s going to take longer treatment. The choice is always yours to end therapy. If you feel like you’ve benefited as much as you’d like, you can tell your therapist and end therapy accordingly.

What theoretical orientation does Karen use?

I use an integrative approach that involves integrating various elements of different theories. Some theories I use include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Humanistic, and Eclectic. I believe there is no one right or guaranteed way of approach to any given condition. The key is to help the patient as quickly and as effectively as possible.

What is your approach to therapy?

I use a combination of techniques from different types of therapy: Person-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Conflict-Resolution, and Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET). Talk therapy allows clients to take a lead in discussion so that, in the process, they discover their own solutions. The exact direction of your counseling experience will depend on the issues you bring into counseling.

Is what we talk about confidential?

Confidentiality is a respected part of therapist’s code of ethics.  Therapists understand that for people to feel comfortable talking about private and revealing information, they need a safe place, without fear of that information leaving the room.  There are exceptions to confidentiality rules. In cases when a client is a threat to himself/herself or others, in which case a therapist must notify the person in danger or notify someone who can keep client safe.  A therapist may also be required to break client confidentiality if they believe a child or disabled person is being abused. In rare cases, therapists can be forced to testify through a subpoena.

Can you prescribe me medication?

A therapist with a master’s degree cannot prescribe medication. A doctor can prescribe medication, including your general MD, but it is best left to psychiatrists who have a medical degree and specialize in dispensing appropriate medication to people dealing with psychological issues.