What happens in therapy can vary greatly for each individual, depending on their unique issues and personal goals. Typically, you will discuss what is currently happening in your life, explore your past experiences that relate to the problem at hand, and reflect on any progress or new insights you have gained since your previous session. Therapy may be focused on short-term support for a specific concern, or it can extend over a longer period if you wish to address deeper patterns or pursue ongoing personal growth.
Benefits of therapy include:
Changing old habits and creating healthier ones.
Finding new ways to handle family or relationship problems.
Understanding yourself and how you interact with others.
Learning to manage stress, anxiety, and depression.
Better control and understanding of your emotions.
Building self-esteem and confidence.
Is what I say in therapy confidential?
Yes. Confidentiality is key in therapy. It helps build trust, so you can talk openly about personal issues. Your therapist will give you a written confidentiality agreement explaining this. What you share stays between you and your therapist, unless you agree in writing to share it with others, like your doctor.
There are a few legal exceptions when a therapist must break confidentiality:
If abuse or neglect of children, adults, or elders is suspected, it must be reported.
If the therapist believes you may seriously harm yourself or others.
Will my insurance cover therapy?