Personal Therapy

There are many possible reasons that brought you to seek out therapy today. Whatever the reason, know that you are not alone; our team is here to help you.

Below is a list of some of the common issues worked on in Personal Therapy.

• Coping Skills
• Anxiety and Stress Management
• Depression
• Life Changes / Adjustment to New Situations
• Relaxation Techniques
• Goal Setting
• Personal Growth
• Relationship Challenges

We can help you with these areas, as well as other issues that may be causing you distress.

Personal Therapy – FAQ

Q. Is therapy right for me?

A. Participating in therapy can result in a number of benefits to you, including a better understanding of your personal goals and values, improved interpersonal relationships, and resolution of the specific concerns that are leading you to seek therapy. Working toward these benefits requires a very active effort on your part including honesty and openness to change your thoughts, feelings, and/or behaviors. Therapy is right for you if you are ready to get the most out of your life by working to solve problems, become more self-aware, and to embrace healthy changes.

Q. Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my own problems.

A. Seeking out therapy or a therapist isn’t really about whether you can handle your problems on your own. The therapeutic process is about getting more out of life, your relationships, and the way you experience yourself. Everyone goes through challenging times. It is these challenging events that sometimes turn out to be the most rewarding when we handle them with wisdom and care. Therapy is a resource you can use to develop tools that will help you conquer these challenging hurdles.

Q. How can therapy help me?

A. Participating in therapy is a unique experience for each individual. Therapists are trained to deal with the many complicated issues facing people today including anxiety, depression, changing behaviors and evaluating thoughts and beliefs. Even if you do not suffer from a clinical diagnosis, therapy can help you grow as a person, get to know yourself better, learn why you do the things you do, and reflect on your life in a powerful and meaningful way.

Therapy is a good fit for you if you are interested in any of the following:

• Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and your values
• Developing skills for improving your relationships
• Finding resolution to lingering childhood issues
• Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
• Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
• Improving your communication and listening skills
• Changing old behavior patterns and developing new, healthier habits
• Discovering new ways to solve problems in your marriage or with family members
• Improving your self-esteem and boosting your self-confidence
• Gaining a better understanding and acceptance of your personal sexual identity
• Improving sexual and relationship satisfaction
• Learning how to become comfortable with yourself for who you are and reducing feelings of shame and guilt

Q. How do I know when I am ready to start therapy?

A: If you are ready to make changes in your life and within yourself, you may be ready. Having the courage to begin therapy will allow you to truly discover whether you are ready to take charge and improve your life. Many people come to therapy when they are going through a major life transition such as unemployment, starting a new job, getting a divorce, beginning a new relationship, or are simply fed up with being unhappy. Therapy can provide some much-needed help and support during these challenging times.

Q. What is therapy like?

A. Nobody experiences therapy in the same way and no therapy session is entirely predictable. Depending on the issues you are bringing to therapy, your therapist will tailor their approach to best suit you and your needs. Our team draws from a number of different treatment approaches including Emotionally Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Brainspotting, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, and Psycho-Educational Therapies.

In the first session, the business aspect of the therapeutic process will be discussed, including confidentiality, cancellation policy, fees, and any questions you may have about the intake paperwork.

During the next few sessions, your therapist will gather information from you and discuss with you their understanding of the issues at hand. Together, you will co-create a treatment plan and goals for therapy. If you have any questions about therapy, the possible risks, your therapist’s expertise, or about your specific treatment plan, do not hesitate to ask!

The therapeutic process will always go at your pace, and you can always let your therapist know when certain topics are difficult for you to approach. This time is your time.

Q. How long will therapy take?

A. Therapy sessions consist of 50-minute meetings once per week and are scheduled on the same day and time each week, if possible. Your therapist may suggest a different amount of therapy depending on the nature and severity of your concerns. Your consistent attendance greatly contributes to a successful outcome.

Change can sometimes be swift and easy, but often it will be slow and difficult. Your therapeutic process will continue for as long or as short as necessary to reach your goals. Some individuals benefit from short-term work (about six to eight sessions) while others benefit from long-term work in which we may delve into the subconscious and the deeper, more pervasive life issues. Still others benefit from specific guidance and coaching, which may occur on an as-needed, intermittent basis.

In all cases, we will go at a pace that feels right for you – one that will help you achieve your goals as quickly as possible without rushing through the process.

Q. How do I know if therapy is going to work for me?

A. Success depends on a good match between you and your therapist. In the first few sessions, one of the main tasks will be to explore whether you and your therapist are a good fit for each other. If so, great! You and your therapist can continue to work together to reach your goals. If not, that’s okay. Our team can work with you to help find someone who might be better suited to help you with your specific needs. Remember, our goal is to help you achieve your goals.

It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. Therapy is most effective when you bring what you learn in session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work we do together in therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process – such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals. If you are ready to bring to fruition the healthy changes you seek, you will need to put forth the necessary effort. Therapy can be difficult at times. It is our job to help you find the easiest path and to help you walk that path at a steady, nourishing pace.

Q. What if I need help right now?

A. If this is a life-threatening emergency or you feel you are in crisis, please go immediately to your local hospital, or dial 911, or dial 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

If your heart’s been broken, you recently lost your job, you are grieving the loss of a loved one, you have had another important life change, or you are ready for personal growth, we’re here to help you through this tough time. Contact us right away and we can schedule you for the next available appointment.

Resources for Individuals

• San Diego County Mobile Crisis Response Team: (888) 724-7240.
• Psychology Today Magazine – Definitions of mental health conditions.
• American Psychological Association – Lots of great information about mental health conditions, treatment, and research.

Our Therapists