Therapy Q&A

While most people have heard about therapy they may be uncertain whether it is the right choice for them.

This section considers questions from real people regarding therapy in general.  My answers follow further down on this page.

1.     Why would I consider therapy?

2.     What types of issues do clients talk about?

3.     Is there something that a therapist offers that a good friend can’t provide?

4.     Since I can’t change the past, shouldn’t I just follow my friends’ advice and forget about my issue and get on with my life?

5.     Will you tell me what to do so that I can get past or get over my issue?  Will you give me an action plan?

6.     How long will I be in therapy?

7.     Since my company offers an employee assistance plan that is good for up to six sessions, doesn’t that tell me six sessions should be enough for me to feel better?

8.     Why should I go for therapy when I see advertising for anti-depressants that will make me feel better?

9.    What does it mean when I read that I should look around for the “right” therapist? 

10.    There are so many different kinds of counsellors and therapists how can I figure out which one is right for me?

1.     Why would I consider therapy?

If you have been feeling anxious, depressed, or have an inability to enjoy day to day life, you may wish to consider therapy. 

2.     What types of issues do clients talk about?

Clients may have specific issues in their lives: problems with a spouse or family member, the break up of a relationship, difficulties in their studies, challenges at work, questions regarding their sexuality or sexual orientation. A client may begin therapy without a specific issue but a general feeling of unease, anxiety, or depression. 

3.     Is there something that a therapist offers that a good friend can’t provide?

Therapy provides a safe and confidential place for you to talk about your concerns and reflect on them in a meaningful way.  The therapist works with you to explore and discover the best way for you to meet your issues and concerns. 

4.     Since I can’t change the past, shouldn’t I just follow my friends’ advice and forget about my issue and get on with my life?

When an issue stays with us in our mind or our hearts we know that it is important to us.  The unresolved thoughts and emotions are an indication that attention needs to be paid to something within us.  Sometimes we feel pressure from others or ourselves to get on with life, but if we ignore the issue we might find that we are destined to return to the place where we feel most wounded. 

5.     Will you tell me what to do so that I can get past or get over my issue?  Will you give me an action plan?

I believe that the answers to our questions and the potential for healing come from within the client and is influenced by the interaction between the client and therapist.  The development that occurs in therapy emerges through the work.  As therapy progresses clients sense that they have a personal direction, however, this direction is not imposed by the therapist. 

6.     How long will I be in therapy?

It depends.  Some clients find that once they begin therapy the particular issue that brought them to the work touches on more parts of their life than they thought or perhaps there are other aspects of their lives they would like to discuss or reflect upon.  This is quite usual and therapy may continue for some time until the client feels better able to meet the issue in a meaningful way.

7.     Since my company offers an employee assistance plan that is good for up to six sessions, doesn’t that tell me six sessions should be enough for me to feel better?

Company sponsored employee assistance plans and insurance that covers certain psychotherapy encourages employees to seek support for issues of concern.  Companies realize that when personal issues go unaddressed they affect the quality of life of their employees and can impede workplace performance.  Some issues lend themselves to a brief period of therapy where focused attention gives the client a sense of how they wish to address and go forward with that issue.  However, six sessions may not be suitable for everyone and some clients of these company sponsored programs may be referred for longer term therapy. 

8.     Why should I go for therapy when I see advertising for anti-depressants that might make me feel better?

For many individuals ‘talk therapy’ remains a viable approach to dealing with depression and exploring its causes.  The decision to take anti-depressants should be made in conjunction with your medical doctor or psychiatrist though they may also recommend including 'talk therapy'.  A doctor or psychiatrist may prescribe an anti-depressant to help an individual get through a particularly difficult period or for a longer duration based on the specifics of the patient’s situation.    

9.    What does it mean when I read that I should look around for the “right” therapist? 

You should feel comfortable with the therapist that you choose to work with.  It may be important for some clients to interview different therapists to find the person with whom they feel they can work.  Just as every client is unique, so too is each therapist a unique individual with specific background and training. 

10.    There are so many different kinds of counsellors and therapists how can I figure out which one is right for me?

You might find that a friend or a family doctor can refer you to a therapist they know, they have worked with, or whose work they believe in.  That is a good place to start.  You can read more about my practice in the next section: Jungian Analysis Q&A.