Therapy FAQ

It takes courage to ask for help. Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. It’s also a very personal choice, and for many people, it is a difficult choice. People seek therapy for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, such as chronic anxiety or depression. Other times they seek therapy in response to unexpected changes in their life, such as a divorce or work transition. Many individuals seek the advice of a counselor as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Regardless of the reason, therapy is designed to provide individuals with the tools and solutions they need to get to the root cause of their challenges to achieve sustainable growth and development.

Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many types of mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general life transitions. 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.

Therapy is designed to help people from all walks of life to address the challenges hindering their happiness and success. 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 find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing their 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. While everyone enters into therapy with their own unique set of challenges and goals, the benefits from therapy may include (but are not limited to):

• Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals, and your values
• Adjusting to life changes, such as divorce, a newly blended family, or the loss of a loved one
• Developing skills for improving your relationships, such as active listening and communication skills
• Finding resolution to the challenges or concerns that led you to seek therapy
• Developing new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
• Recognizing the patterns, behaviors, and emotions that hinder your happiness and fulfillment 
• Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
• Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
• Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
• Helping your children or loved ones deal with the challenges in their lives

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life. While you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you’ve faced, there’s 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 need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired.

Individuals and couples who seek therapy are actively taking responsibility by accepting where they are at in their lives, and making a commitment to change their situation. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, providing participants with the tools they need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges they face in life.

Therapy is a very personal experience. Just as no two people are alike, no two therapeutic processes are the same. Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth.

Generally, therapists will discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. They will help you determine what your mental health goals are and how you hope to achieve these goals. It’s common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, with each session lasting approximately fifty minutes. 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. 

For therapy to be most effective an individual 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:

• Compassion, respect, and understanding
• Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
• Strategies and solutions designed to create sustainable, positive change
• Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance
• A safe and non-judgemental space to explore your feelings and emotions

Each individual is different and thus, their needs are different. Therapy is an evolving process and it can take time to achieve your goals. Most clients schedule weekly sessions with their therapists. Each session lasts approximately 50 minutes. As your needs, challenges, and goals evolve, you can adjust your therapy schedule as needed.

It’s 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 cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that impede our progress.

You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. Depending on your specific needs, a combination of medication and therapy may be the right course of action. Together with your medical doctor, you and your therapist will determine what’s best for your needs.

Therapy is often covered by insurance companies under their mental health coverage options. Before your first session, we will help you to determine if you have mental health coverage. Our intake staff will check with your insurance carrier to determine the answers to the following questions:

• What are my mental health benefits?
• What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
• How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
• How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
• Is approval required from my primary care physician?

Teletherapy refers to therapy sessions provided by a licensed and certified therapist through a secure video connection, such as Zoom or FaceTime. Teletherapy services are secure, safe, effective, HIPAA-compliant, and produce comparable outcomes to traditional in-person therapy sessions.

Teletherapy provides mental health care when you need it from the comfort of your home or office. Teletherapy provides an alternative treatment option for individuals, couples, and groups looking to fit therapy sessions into their lives in a safe and secure manner. At The Juniper Center, all of our teletherapy sessions are encrypted for safety and security. When it’s all said and done, your experience through teletherapy and in-person sessions are equally as effective for achieving your mental health goals.

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. The information you disclose during your therapy session is confidential and will not be shared without prior written permission from the client.

However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:

• Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.
• If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.