Types of Therapy
Individual Psychotherapy: When to Start and When to Finish
I'm looking for help with:
The decision to begin therapy is quite individual because we each feel our emotional distress differently. Deciding to end therapy usually occurs as a result of a collaborative process between client and therapist.
You may want to consider beginning therapy when:
- You have trouble making or keeping satisfying relationships, and you want to understand the patterns that underlie the difficulty.
- You realize that an emotional issue has been causing stress for a long time.
- You feel depressed, anxious, fearful, agitated, or have trouble managing your anger.
- You recognize behavior that seems self-defeating, out of control, addictive, or self-destructive.
- You are frequently distressed by traumatic memories.
- You have trouble obtaining or keeping a satisfying job, or your behavior keeps you from advancing in your career.
- You find that you need more support than is available in your everyday life.
You may want to consider ending therapy when:
- You understand the source of your distress and can find relief on your own.
- Your distress is greatly diminished.
- You have found successful ways to take care of yourself.
- You experience greater capacity to field life's difficulties, and you are free of the symptoms that brought you to therapy.
- Your relationships at work and in your personal life are satisfying.
What About Brief Therapy?
Consumers generally want their therapy to be as brief as possible, and today more people are talking about brief therapy techniques. Many researchers and therapists call 30 sessions of therapy "brief." Other therapists refer to much shorter lengths of time. It is important to know what a therapist means when referring to "brief therapy." Recent research by Consumer Reports (November 1995) indicated that therapy was more helpful when people stayed longer than just a few sessions.
Whether brief therapy works for you depends on what you are looking for from therapy and on what you are bringing to therapy to be resolved, healed, or explored. Sometimes, people see a therapist for just a few visits. This can be successful if a client is looking for a brief consultation or is dealing with a temporary crisis. Sometimes a therapist can help individuals or families make a change very quickly. Most therapists use brief therapy when it is appropriate. What is important is making sure that your concerns have been addressed in a way that feels helpful to you.
Because it can be helpful with many situations, it makes sense to consider brief therapy. However, sometimes people come to therapy to heal things that are long-standing and complex, which takes more time. This involves building a relationship of trust with your therapist, and often it is the relationship which promotes healing.
Some insurance and managed care companies encourage almost everyone to use an ultra-brief therapy that lasts only a few sessions. However, to our knowledge there has not been any sound research showing this kind of therapy to be effective. If you have experienced brief therapy that didn't work well for you, it may not have been the best approach, and a longer-term therapy may be what you need.
In considering brief therapy, as opposed to a more sustained approach, talk with your therapist about your concerns and what sort of time frame he or she anticipates. Your therapist may not know the exact duration of your therapy but can help you understand how therapy moves forward and how you can know when it is complete.
Couples Therapy
Creating a successful couple relationship is challenging! Most couples have areas that are difficult for them. In fact, conflict or disagreement is part of any intimate relationship. Couples come to therapy when something in their relationship is no longer working or when they want their relationship to be more satisfying.
Partners begin relationships with many hopes, and it is common for each person to idealize the other to some degree. As intimacy increases and partners come to know each other more fully, disappointments naturally arise. With the added burden of life's routines and stresses, a crisis can occur. This is a time when couples often seek help.
Therapists who work with couples recognize that their dynamics are complex and that no one is to blame. Creating an environment of support makes it possible to address difficulties in many areas, including communication, sexuality, and parenting. Sometimes the source of a couple's conflict may not be obvious and may, in fact, be quite different from what partners fight about. A therapist can help identify these underlying issues and address them directly.
Some people hesitate to go to couples therapy because they are concerned that the therapist will take sides or expect them to stay together. It is not the role of the therapist to take sides or act as a judge, but rather to help you understand yourself and your partner better and come to your own resolution.
Couples also choose to enter therapy when partners want to enhance their relationship and develop a deeper connection. Therapists can help facilitate the process toward mutual acceptance and greater intimacy.
When Does A Child Need Therapy?
Like adults, children can be greatly affected by stress in their lives. Family transitions such as separation or divorce, joining a step family, adoption or birth of a sibling, experiences of abuse or other trauma, or the death of a loved one can all involve considerable loss and stress. At those times parents or caretakers may have difficulty knowing what their child needs to feel secure.
Children have fewer resources to cope and less control over their lives than adults, and they need others to notice what is happening to them. They are often too young to understand or verbally describe emotional distress and instead exhibit symptoms to signal the need for help. The symptoms may include sudden changes in behavior, irritability, nightmares, bedwetting or soiling, eating problems, physical complaints, disregard for safety, school problems, acting older or younger than their age, or problems getting along with others.
How does a parent or caretaker know when psychotherapy is indicated? A child therapist can help evaluate the situation. If professional intervention is recommended, therapists may work in different ways. They may assist parents and teachers in helping the child; they may see children and parents together in family therapy; or they may see the child alone for play therapy.
Therapy Network helps individuals find a therapist in Marin, Corte Madera, Mill Valley, San Rafael, Kentfield, Sonoma, Castro, Laurel Heights, Marina, Mission, Noe Valley, Pacific Heights, Presidio, Richmond, Sunset, SF Bay Area, San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Albany, Rockridge, Walnut Creek, and the East Bay.