Common Questions


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"...and then the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."

~Anais Nin


Is Therapy Right for Me?

There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, relationship challenges, 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 counsel 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 positive change. Therapy can help build healthy relationships and a more fufilling and meaningful life.

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, redirect damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.


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 your 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
  • Learning to cultivate a more positive body image and a healthier relationship with food
  • Learning to feel safe in your own skin and in your body
  • 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 relationship
  • Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence


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. If the client wants to explore creative approaches to problem-solving and enhance self-awareness and symptom relief, tools such as guided imagery, breathing techniques, meditation, and other practices may be offered. Some clients prefer the therapist to facilitate a lot of structure, ask exploratory questions, and provide clear feedback in a session. Other clients prefer a more open-ended process in which the therapist and client collaborate about the structure and content of the session. 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 to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. Nan Keyser M.Ed may create a personalized CD that includes guided imagery and other helpful tools for home practice. 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

Do You Accept Insurance? How Does Insurance Work?

I now accept most private health insurance benefits, including insurance that covers treatment by a registered psychologist. When booking an appointment, please inform me about your insurance coverage.

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?


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 mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved in the long-term solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause(s) 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.


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:

  • If a client discloses suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse, the therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
  • If a client threatens serious bodily harm to another person, the therapist is required to notify the police.
  • If a client intends to harm himself or herself, the therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.


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