Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times, it is in response to unexpected changes in one's life such as a divorce or work transition. Many seek the advice of therapy as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. 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 issues including depression, anxiety, substance use, the interplay between substance use and mental health issues, conflict, grief, stress management, women's issues, and general life transitions. Therapy is beneficial for people who are interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, developing mindfulness, and working toward change in their lives.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you have faced, there is 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. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you are in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
The therapeutic relationship lasts as long as it feels helpful to you and progress is being made. My goal is to assist with getting you to a place where you have outgrown or are no longer in need of my services. This sometimes lasts a few months or a few years. We will continually assess to determine when therapy should come to an end. Most often I meet with clients weekly and bi-weekly.
A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. 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 by providing support, problem-solving skills and enhanced coping strategies. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or assist you in finding a solution that fits with your values and goals. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
Attaining a better understanding of yourself as well as your values and goals
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 and anxiety
Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
Improving communication and listening skills
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
Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and his or her specific goals. It is standard for therapists to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts approximately fifty minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy session, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective, you must be an active participant, both during and between, the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy tend to be those people that are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work toward self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect out of therapy:
Compassion, respect and understanding
Feedback designed to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
Real strategies for enacting positive change
Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance
In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. By working with your medical doctor, you can determine what is best for you. It is 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 curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.
At this time, I do not accept insurance. However, I accept cash, check, and PayPal. I offer a sliding scale to those in financial need, and will be happy to write an invoice for you to submit to either flexible spending, health savings account, or your insurance carrier to determine if your sessions qualify for reimbursement through out-of-network coverage.
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client. However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions will be discussed during your first session with me.
Jennifer Noonan, MA, LPC, CACIII, CEAP 1221 S. Clarkson Street, Suite 302 Denver, CO 80210 720 217 3831 jennifer@kiaorawellness.com
