Length of Treatment (Number of Sessions)

I view counseling/psychotherapy as falling into two categories: short-term and long-term treatment. In short-term psychotherapy, I utilize an approach which can be described as active and directive. I work to help you solve current problems and reduce overall stress. Another way of describing this approach is that I help you return to the level of productivity that you had before the episode of stress came along. The length of treatment using this short-term approach is typically 10 to 20 sessions.

In long-term psychotherapy, I utilize an approach which is less active and directive on my part than in short-term psychotherapy. While I do offer feedback, most of the emphasis is placed on the expression of your thoughts and feelings and, therefore, you will do more of the talking in general. The focus is on understanding the interplay between thoughts and feelings and their impact on behavior. Another way of describing this approach is that it is insight and growth-oriented. The length of treatment in this approach is typically six months to several years.

You may be asking yourself the question, how do I know whether I need short-term or long-term treatment? While you may not know which type of treatment you need, you are probably aware of how long you have been dealing with the issue that you want to resolve. And while many factors determine how short or long your treatment will be, one of the best indicators of how much time it will take to resolve your issue is simply how much time has gone by since you began struggling with the issue. Typically, an issue with a short history (up to only a few years or so) is probably able to be resolved using a short-term treatment approach. An issue with a long history (from several years to perhaps many years) will probably respond best to a long-term treatment approach.

Purpose of Psychotherapy

I believe the purpose of counseling/psychotherapy is to increase your awareness of inner thoughts and feelings so that you can make increasingly healthy, responsible choices that will empower you to live life to the fullest.

What Happens in Psychotherapy

My view of how change occurs in psychotherapy (how you will benefit) is that an increased awareness of the issues that brought you to therapy will usually bring the benefits you desire. Another way of saying this is that a significant shift in your perspective about life (a paradigm shift) will bring about growth and will empower you. This is because an increased awareness usually leads to changed thought patterns, changed emotional reactions, and then changed behaviors. A helpful example here is to think of the alcoholic who admits that they have a problem with alcohol. Awareness is what finally opens the door to them getting help and becoming sober.

Scientific research on psychotherapy shows that most clients benefit from being in psychotherapy. While negative changes can occur as a result of being in psychotherapy, positive changes ultimately occur for most clients. Specific possible benefits include: decreased stress, anxiety, or depression; more satisfying relationships with others; increased hope that you can effectively navigate stressful situations in the future; satisfaction with yourself that you have "finally addressed the problem;" or, relief that your current problem is not going to keep you feeling bad for very long.

The First Few Sessions

If you haven't been in psychotherapy before, you may feel anxious, afraid, or puzzled initially. For example, you may wonder how simply talking about a problem can help you in any way. You may even fear that I, as your therapist, will criticize you or that I will think you are odd or unusual in some way. But if you will push yourself to move beyond the temporary discomfort and share your thoughts and feelings, then you will have the best chance for positive results.

Clients often find that psychotherapy is a safe place to be honest and express their thoughts and feelings. But it is important to understand that you will not be forced to talk about anything uncomfortable until you feel free to do so. Also, you may feel disappointed or upset with me (the therapist) because you expect definite answers and do not get them in the first few sessions. However, the benefits (answers) usually come in small doses over the course of our work together. You will also discover over time that the answers actually lie within you. And you will discover (or be reminded) that meaningful and lasting benefits usually happen only with hard work.

In short-term treatment, this work may take the form of simply thinking about what we discuss in sessions or it may involve completing a specific homework assignment. In long-term treatment, the "homework" usually takes the form of simply thinking about what we discuss in session and then allowing thoughts and feelings to surface in your mind in response to that discussion once you leave the session. We will then discuss those thoughts and feelings at the next session.

Termination (Leaving Therapy)

How do you know when it's time to end treatment? A simple answer is, when your goals for treatment have been met. (If for some reason you want to stop treatment before that point, you may do so at any time and for any reason.) However, a termination session that brings closure to our work together is recommended before you leave. Once you do leave treatment, I hope you will think of therapy as you do medicine or dentistry; that is, coming for "checkups" as needed (before too much stress builds up) is a very appropriate way to utilize therapy once you have completed an initial course of treatment.

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