Therapy FAQs
How can therapy help?
The psychologists at CAPES use the most effective methods to help you. The great news is that therapy works. Research has definitively found that people who receive therapy are better off than 80% of people with similar problems who don’t receive therapy. Therapy is generally more effective than medication, especially in the long-term, and it doesn’t have the side effects that often accompany medications. Also, it is a myth that months or years of therapy are required for it to be effective. You are likely to receive symptom relief within the first few sessions. We partner with you and work as a team to achieve your goals. Therapy May Help:
Alleviate Depression
Discover Confidence
Reduce Stress & Anxiety
Resolve Relationship Difficulties
Increase Life Satisfaction
Improve Interpersonal Skills
Improve School or Job Performance
Develop a Peaceful Mindset
Strengthen Parenting Skills
Is therapy really necessary?
In general, just about everyone could benefit from therapy at one time or another. However, pursuing therapy is important to consider if you are unhappy for much of the day for most days. Unhappiness can take on many forms besides sadness and depression. It can mean that you are frequently anxious, angry, stressed, detached, fearful, or apathetic. It is perfectly normal to feel these emotions some of the time. They are part of being human! But if you or your child are feeling these emotions chronically or severely, then you should consider therapy. Importantly, therapy can also be beneficial to achieve personal growth or to address mild, but persistent issues.
How do I choose a therapist?
Deciding that you are going to pursue therapy is a huge accomplishment in itself. The next step is to decide which therapist is right for you. Research has shown that developing a strong alliance with your therapist dramatically improves the likelihood that you will achieve your therapy goals. In making this decision, you can ask yourself the following questions to guide you:
Does it matter if your therapist is a male or female?
When are you available to meet with a therapist?
Is there a particular style of therapy that you are looking for? Some examples include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic, mindfulness, and solution-focused therapy.
What are the key issues or challenges that you want to address in therapy (e.g., stress, ADHD, depression, grief and loss, anger management)?
What format of therapy do you need (e.g., individual, couples, family, group)?
You can view our biographies to learn more about our psychologists to find one who seems like a good fit for your needs.
What Can You Expect from Therapy?
he first session, or intake session, is a time for you to inform the therapist as to what your individual challenges are and any history that you feel needs to be discussed. This session is also an opportunity for you to see whether you and the therapist are a match for your therapy work. This first session is a little longer than the typical session since there is more to cover. This session will take approximately 90 minutes.
During this first session, you and your therapist will act as partners to develop goals for your therapy. These goals will be specific to you and what you’d like to achieve. During therapy, you may go through some self-discovery and these goals may change.
Your following sessions will be shorter, lasting about 50 minutes. Each session, the therapist will ask you if there is something specific you would like to address for that particular session. Throughout your therapy, your therapist will often ask for feedback to ensure that the direction you are taking as a team is the direction that you want to go. Making sure that the therapy is working for you is a priority for the therapist. Using what is known as feedback informed treatment (FIT), they can ensure that you achieve the most from your experience.