Most people attend behavioral health treatment because they are seeking change or growth in some area of their life. The effectiveness and perceived benefits of treatment depend on many factors including the particular problems you are experiencing, personality factors, establishing a good therapeutic alliance, and your ability and willingness to actively participate in your treatment.
While the prospects for change are exciting, giving up old habits or beliefs, no matter how destructive or painful, is difficult and can make people feel vulnerable and anxious. Some people will experience uncomfortable emotions throughout treatment. Exploring unpleasant aspects of one’s past can cause initial discomfort, but is often essential in working through and resolving experiences that impede the ability to reach your optimal level of functioning.
One of the benefits of therapy is having an objective non-judgmental ally to assist you through these potentially uncomfortable emotions or memories. Together we will identify patterns or behaviors that are unhelpful and develop alternative ways of coping. While the benefits of treatment vary, clients often report gaining a better understanding of themselves and their goals and values, being able to access and tolerate a wider range of emotions, improvement in interpersonal relationships, development of problem solving and coping skills, enhanced self-esteem and an increased confidence in their ability to manage problems and stress.
While there is no guarantee that treatment will create the desired changes or effects, most people find that the benefits of therapy outweigh any risks. In fact, sometimes there can be more risk associated with not participating in treatment and maintaining maladaptive behaviors and thought patterns.
By the end of our initial session, I will be able to offer you some initial impressions of what our work will include if you decide to continue. Together we will clarify treatment objectives and develop a plan to meet your goals. Throughout the treatment process we will periodically review your progress and make any necessary adjustments to best meet your needs.
New York Times article on benefits of talk therapy
While the prospects for change are exciting, giving up old habits or beliefs, no matter how destructive or painful, is difficult and can make people feel vulnerable and anxious. Some people will experience uncomfortable emotions throughout treatment. Exploring unpleasant aspects of one’s past can cause initial discomfort, but is often essential in working through and resolving experiences that impede the ability to reach your optimal level of functioning.
One of the benefits of therapy is having an objective non-judgmental ally to assist you through these potentially uncomfortable emotions or memories. Together we will identify patterns or behaviors that are unhelpful and develop alternative ways of coping. While the benefits of treatment vary, clients often report gaining a better understanding of themselves and their goals and values, being able to access and tolerate a wider range of emotions, improvement in interpersonal relationships, development of problem solving and coping skills, enhanced self-esteem and an increased confidence in their ability to manage problems and stress.
While there is no guarantee that treatment will create the desired changes or effects, most people find that the benefits of therapy outweigh any risks. In fact, sometimes there can be more risk associated with not participating in treatment and maintaining maladaptive behaviors and thought patterns.
By the end of our initial session, I will be able to offer you some initial impressions of what our work will include if you decide to continue. Together we will clarify treatment objectives and develop a plan to meet your goals. Throughout the treatment process we will periodically review your progress and make any necessary adjustments to best meet your needs.
New York Times article on benefits of talk therapy