Just having a problem doesn’t necessarily mean that you need psychotherapy.

We believe the majority of individuals can experience greater insight and healing from therapy, but the reality is the time and financial commitment can be significant. When deciding if therapy is the right choice for you, we encourage you to ask yourself two questions:

1. Is your problem lasting an inordinate amount of time?

An example of this might be that you lost your job or were diagnosed with an illness some time ago, but you are still having difficulty letting go and living into your “new normal.”

2. Is the problem hindering your functioning in any major area of life?

This includes work, school, family, spirituality, physical well-being (e.g. somatic symptoms like back pain or headaches), or ability to do basic self-care tasks (trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, difficulty getting out of bed, etc.).

If you answered yes to either one of those questions, then we would encourage you to talk to a professional counselor.

Also, consider this. It is best to ask for help even if you are not sure your problem is big enough to need counseling. There are other signs that might tell you that you should try counseling. A few of these are:

• Feeling unhappy for no reason
• Not being satisfied with your life
• Having trouble making decisions
• Having trouble setting or reaching goals
• Being tired for no reason
• Feeling hopeless
• Changes in sleeping or eating
• Acting in ways that you don’t like
• Acting in ways that get you in trouble
• Problems with alcohol or drugs
• Problems with uncontrolled anger
• Relationship problems or family problems
• Having trouble at work or school
• Thinking about death a lot or thinking of hurting yourself

You can expect the beginning of a relationship with your therapist. Your therapist will come get you in the waiting room, and you will sit down in their office and talk. There will be a few minutes of gathering information from you (mailing address, insurance information, etc.), and signing a few forms (HIPAA information and acknowledgement, policies and procedures). But the bulk of the time will be spent talking about what brought you in for counseling. The therapist will focus on hearing your story. There will be questions asked that are meant to better understand your particular struggle and situation. You will be free to ask any questions you may have as well. This is also a time to measure how comfortable this feels and if this is a good “fit” between you and the therapist. Generally speaking, the relationship between the therapist and the client is the most accurate predictor of success in the therapy. If the client and therapist like one another, and if the client feels respected and safe during therapy, the probability of experiencing success is high. By the end of your first session, you can expect some feedback from the therapist and both of you will agree on a “game plan” before the end of the session.

Every therapy session is unique. Some styles implement a variety of creative and reflective approaches to address issues which are between you and your goals. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around 45-50 minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. At times, you may be asked to do “home-work” outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book, keeping a journal, keeping records to track certain behaviors or practice skills or exercises discussed in session. It is important that you 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 are often in enough pain that they become willing to work towards self-change in their lives. With the help of a therapist, it is a very exciting and dynamic process.

Good counselors won’t tell you what to do. Instead, they will help you figure out what is right for you. You still make the decisions.

Speaking with a therapist, within the framework of a supportive relationship, can help you gain a clearer picture and deeper understanding of what is troubling you. Talking out loud is a way to really hear yourself and clarify your thoughts and feelings. It is also a way to repair negative thoughts with positive thinking. Through talk therapy you can also begin to see how current relationships and behaviors are influenced by your past. With this insight you can make more conscious choices and decisions about how you would like to live your life.

All of our therapists are licensed mental health professionals and are trained in psychotherapy techniques. While talking to a friend can be helpful, a psychologist, professional counselor or social worker is trained to listen with empathy and objectivity. We can interpret what you are expressing to help you better understand the possible causes of your symptoms. This process can enable you to make positive changes and move toward a happier future.

With so many different options for mental health treatment it is sometimes difficult for people to know if they would benefit from psychotropic medications. While medications can be very effective in relieving symptoms of psychological problems such as depression and anxiety, they do not always address the underlying causes of those problems. Indeed, research shows that even when medication is prescribed, it is most effective when combined with counseling and psychotherapy. When appropriate, we will discuss medication options with you and make a referral to a prescribing physician.

The length of treatment depends on your needs and goals. We offer both short term and long term counseling to our clients. People come for counseling and psychotherapy for a variety of reasons. Some people come to counseling because they are in crisis. They may be dealing with a death, a divorce or a significant break up, or trouble adjusting to life changes and transitions. Others come for psychotherapy because they are struggling with more general symptoms such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, relationship issues or health issues. Ultimately you and your therapist will work together to identify problem areas, develop your goals for treatment and evaluate your ongoing need for psychotherapy.

Absolutely not! Recognizing the need to speak with a mental health professional is actually a strength. There are times when you might face difficult decisions or complicated situations that can feel overwhelming, stressful and confusing. Allowing yourself to engage in the psychotherapy process in which you can express your feelings and thoughts with one of our objective and compassionate counseling professionals is a step toward resolution and peace of mind. Experiencing traumas, losses, and difficult emotions is a normal part of human experience. You may need healing or time to process what has happened. You may need to let go. You may need discernment or to make new meaning out of your life. You may need to adjust to a “new normal.” And you may be able to do these things more effectively with help from a therapist. But whatever is going on in your mind, seeking therapy means you’ve been through some difficult times, you’ve lived to tell the tale, and now you want to take steps to achieve healing and fuller life.

If your child is showing psychological symptoms that are interfering with his or her functioning, it definitely makes sense to seek consultation with a mental health professional who can help you decide how to proceed. Symptoms typically fall into two major categories: your child is either having difficulty behaving appropriately or he or she is experiencing some kind of internal turmoil, such as excessive worry or sadness. Children often exhibit some combination of both of these types of problems. Examples of impaired functioning include poor school achievement, social withdrawal or isolation, and inability to separate from parents to attend school or social functions. Even if a child is not exhibiting impaired functioning, but seems to be struggling emotionally, socially, academically or behaviorally, consultation with a psychotherapist can still be helpful. Early intervention in one or more of these problem areas can prevent difficulties from escalating into more complex problems, and can keep your child on track developmentally.

You can expect to be asked to provide a thorough developmental history for your child, including milestones and family history of mental health issues. Depending on your psychotherapist’s treatment approach and the age of your child, you may be asked to participate in regular parent guidance sessions or family counseling. Parent guidance is a useful way to help parents of younger children learn more about your child’s development. You will meet with your counselor, usually without your child, to discuss problems and issues at home and at school that may require you to expand your repertoire of child-rearing skills. Your counselor may recommend books and resources to help you to deepen your knowledge of your child’s particular issues and ways to manage your child’s behavior. Typically, older children and adolescents work with their psychotherapist by themselves, but parents are involved as needed. We may also recommend family counseling sessions that include parents and children, so that problematic family dynamics and communication patterns may be addressed.

In most cases, the most important decision is to get started with counseling either way. If you consult with a psychotherapist alone, and it becomes clear that your main focus is your relationship, then the therapist will recommend couples’ therapy. If you come in as a couple, and one or both partners seem to be struggling with issues that require individual attention, we will refer you to an individual counselor. The therapists at The Arlington Center will help you to clarify your needs and can provide both individual and couples’ therapy.