People who have not participated in mental health counseling often do not know what to expect during individual psychotherapy sessions. You might not be familiar with the different kinds of approaches, philosophies, and techniques used by mental health practitioners. Finding a counselor who is a "good fit" for you will make your psychotherapeutic process more effective. Some counselors offer a free first session. This allows you to "shop around" and be selective. Become familiar with the counselor's website and make a list of questions to ask during your initial email or telephone contact and first meeting.
I will share with you how I approach individual psychotherapy. You can use this information to formulate questions you can use when interviewing a psychotherapist.
My method integrates humanistic psychology, family systems, and creativity.
Humanistic psychology supports your healing and personal growth by building on your strengths, focusing on meaning, potential, transformation, self-determination, resilience, motivation, talent development, competence, responsibility, and self-actualization. Client centered humanistic psychology provides a holistic (mind-body-spirit, individual-familial-social-physical-spiritual) view of the individual.
Humanistic psychology also studies creativity. Enhanced facility with creativity can contribute to successful life transitions and positive changes in everyday life. Creativity is used by individuals who make positive changes in relationships, gain skills in parenting, succeed at school or work, contribute to innovation in business, or respond productively to crisis - such as successful adjustment to divorce.
Family systems thinking (sometimes referred to as marriage and family therapy) recognizes that each individual participates in multiple relationships. Individuals, couples, families, schools, work environments, societies, and cultures have patterns of behavior that influence individuals and are influenced by individuals. But, these patterns can be changed - even if only one member of the family or couple attends counseling.
In general, the psychotherapeutic process goes like this...
First, we will meet for a 50 minute free session during which you'll share information about issues that bring you to therapy. I'll ask questions about these issues to gain more understanding about your situation. I will explain what approaches would be the best for your issues. Then, we can decide whether to continue working together.
If we decide to go forward, I suggest making 4 weeks of appointments in advance so as to secure your appointment time. It's easier to remember a regular weekly time and you'll get into the rhythm of psychotherapeutic-creative "flow" - where insights, pattern recognition, more awareness, empowerment, decision, and change actions become a regular part of your life. If you are traveling or the commute to my office is too difficult (sometimes true for clients with chronic illness), we can utilize telemental health and meet for video conference sessions through Skype or icouch.
We will look at how your family of origin (parents, grandparents, siblings, etc.) and other significant past relationships contributed to your issues. We might explore major life events and traumas that could be having a lasting impact on you. Cultural patterns related to gender, religion, or ethnicity can also play a major role.
Initially, your descriptions of family and events might be more intellectual. We would work towards gaining recognition of emotions that were involved, how you reacted, how your self concept was formed, integrating thinking and feeling.
At the same time, you would learn skills to become more effective at coping with issues and events in your daily life. Creativity is involved in that we will rewrite your life story so that the past does not rigidly determine your present and limit your future. You will form a clear vision of how you want your life to be and make a plan on how to accomplish that, taking gradual steps to accomplish your goals.
Depending on what seems appropriate to you, as an individual, we might eventually use art making or sand tray, breathing exercises, visualization, or personal mythology - to gain insight and help you move towards your goals. These methods are usually used later, with the first few sessions devoted to me gathering information and gaining understanding of your life, accompanied by traditional "talk therapy" where I offer you nonjudgmental support, caring, and compassion. Psychotherapy can function as a container for your internal process, in that I will "hold" your experience so that you feel safe during your healing journey.
Sometimes I recommend clients undertake certain kinds of "body work" that might include yoga, meditation, daily walks, massage, Chinese healing touch, or engagement in sports. The body-mind-spirit connection is powerful and body work can support, strengthen, and hasten the therapeutic process. Again, this depends on the individual. Sometimes body work feels too similar to previous traumas and is not advisable until much later.
Sometimes I integrate care with your primary care doctor. I also occasionally recommend clients consult a naturopathic doctor for testing as food allergies/sensitivities can strongly influence behavior, emotions, and sleep patterns.
Your care will be individualized for you because you are unique.
Depending on your situation and what you want to accomplish, we might work together weekly for 3 to 6 months to a year, and then schedule appointments every two weeks, then monthly, until you decide to conclude our work together. Of course, you can terminate psychotherapy at any time. This is your decision and a place for you to exercise power.
Your first free session will be 50 minutes (a "professional hour"). Usually, the 2nd appointment (the intake appointment) is 80 minutes long. Some clients prefer all appointments be 80 minutes long as longer appointments allow clients more time to bring up issues, explore issues more fully, find resolution, make action plans, and feel "finished." This is your decision.
Generally, before clients conclude psychotherapy, we meet once to review the issues you came with, articulate what you've accomplished, how you've changed and what your new goals are. The skills you learn in psychotherapy can be applied to challenges you encounter in the future. In a way, you will carry your own healer within you, wherever you go - so that you will continue to heal and grow!
As a courtesy to clients, I can bill insurance as an out of network provider. Whatever fees are not covered by insurance are then billed to you. Some clients use medical savings accounts to pay fees or the fees often count towards deductibles on insurance policies.
Billing insurance requires a diagnosis that will remain part of your permanent record. Some clients want to protect their privacy by not billing insurance. Sometimes clients prefer the financial advantages of billing insurance. This will be your decision. Generally, if I do bill insurance, I give a "mild" diagnosis that will relate to a transitory situation so that the client is not identified as chronically or severely mentally ill. A diagnosis will remain a permanent part of your record. These are important issues to consider and discuss with your psychotherapist.
I hope all of this information is not too overwhelming. As you select a psychotherapist and then begin working together, keep asking questions about the process. If you express your needs clearly, you are more likely to get your needs met. If you understand the mental health counseling process, you can participate more fully.
Take good care of yourself.
Kind regards, Dr. Benyshek