Is therapy right for me?
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
How can therapy help me?
What is therapy like?
Is medication a substitute for therapy?
Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?
Is therapy confidential?
How do I get started?
How do I know what counselor is right for me?
How long will the process take?
Is therapy right for me?
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 counsl 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, conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.
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Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's 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're at 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.
Some characteristics of an individual that could benefit from counseling include:
- Relationship Conflict
- Panic Attacks
- Angry Explosions
- Recent Change in Behavior
- Depression or Intense Sadness
- Frequent Irritability
- Low Self Esteem
- Poor Concentration
- Loss of Interest or Decrease in Daily Motivation
- Thoughts of Suicide or Self Inflicted Pain
How can therapy help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. 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. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. 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, your goals and values
- 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 communications 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
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What is therapy like?
Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their 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 around 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 sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important 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 willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect out of therapy:
- Compassion, respect and understanding
- Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
- Real strategies for enacting positive change
- Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance
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Is medication a substitute for therapy?
In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's 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.
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Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?
To determine if you have mental health coverage, the first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage carefully and find the answers to the following questions:
- What are my mental health benefits?
- What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
- How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
- How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
- Is approval required from my primary care physician?
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Is therapy confidential?
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 include:
- Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse.
- Child Abuse – If there is reason for your therapist to believe that a child may be abused or neglected, the therapist must report it to the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.
- Serious Threat to Health or Safety – If your therapist believes that you are in risk of suicide or homicide, they may disclose the information as they consider necessary to protect you and others from harm.
- Child Abuse – If there is reason for your therapist to believe that a child may be abused or neglected, the therapist must report it to the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.
How do I get started?
The first step within counseling is to find the right counselor. It is important to take a look at our staffing page and get a grasp of each individual therapist and which you believe you could feel the most comfortable with. After you have limited your selection of therapists feel free to call or email them with any questions or concerns. Once comfortable with the idea of a therapist, set up an appointment with us and view our directions page to find our Forest Lake location.
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The key to a perfect counseling session is finding a therapist that is right for you. Because of this we have included a list of all of the therapists, a description of what they do, how they came to be involved in counseling, and what they specialize in. We urge you to look at each therapist and get a feel for which of the therapists you can relate to or which you could feel the most comfortable with. We will provide their email if you have any further questions or concerns about who they are or how they can help you.
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First and foremost it is important to check with your insurance provider. At Bridges and Pathways we accept Medical Assistance, Minnesota Care, Preferred one, Metropolitan Health Plan, Health Partners, Medica and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Benefits and coverage will be dependent on your insurance company.
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How long will this process take?
The amount of sessions depends on each client. Some clients may only need one or two counseling sessions to talk out the issues and get a professional opinion before they feel as though they have solved their issue. Other issues may take longer. It is important to talk with the counselor about the issues equally as important to deal with the issues at your own pace and on your own time.
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