Why do people seek therapy?

People come into therapy for many reasons. Some need to respond to unexpected changes in their lives, while others seek self-exploration and personal growth.  Art therapy and addictions counseling can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies to address issues like depression, anxiety, chronic pain, lack of confidence, relationship conflict,  addiction, unresolved childhood issues, grief and loss, spiritual conflicts, stress management, unmet dependency needs, body image issues, lack of competence and self efficacy. Some people want to enhance the quality of their life by identifying and working with their personal strengthsin becoming more genuine and authentic. Individuals seeking art therapy and addictions counseling are willing to work towards self-directed goals, creating change through personal motivation and increasing level of awareness. 
 

What can I expect in a therapy session?

During the initial interview you will be asked to identify areas in which you would lik to work on while in therapy. You will be asked to identify the goals you would  like to set for yourself. Together the client and therapist work to design a treatment plan to be implemented during the course of therapy. Initial sessions are 1.5 to 2.0 hours long. After the first session, subsequent sessions are 50-55 minutes. For some, longer sessions may be more effective.  Usually weekly sessions are most effective. Some people who are in extreme distress may need more than one session per week, at least until the crisis passes. 

In between sessions the client is encouraged to think about and process what happened during the session. Many people are given a journal to record their progress by writing assigments, simple art tasks and being attentive to certain images. At times, you may be asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book, finishing an art task or keeping records. For therapy to "work," you must be an active participant, both in and outside of the therapy sessions.

What benefits can I expect from working with a therapist?

There are many benefits from participating in the therapeutic process. Having a safe space to process thoughts, feelings and ideas around difficult situations, conflicts and events can be most helpful. Often empathy, compassion and understandingcan form a powerful transformative container for personal development and self actualization to occur. Therapy can provide a fresh perspective on the past, present and future whether it be from a difficult problem or a matter of guiding you in the direction of the best possible solution based on your values, goals and personal development. Many people find therapy to be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, and the hassles of daily life. The benefits you receive from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some benefits from therapy include:

• Claiming personal authority and personal power
• Developing the authentic Self, becoming more genuine and real
• Exploring and discovering unconscious materials through dream work
• Attaining a better understanding of yourself and your personal goals and values
• Developing skills for improving your relationships
• Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
• Find new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
• Managing anger, depression, and other emotional pressures
• Improving communications skills - learn how to listen to others, and have others listen to you
• Getting "unstuck" from unhealthy patterns - breaking old behaviors and develop new ones
• Discovering new ways to solve problems, increasing your creative problem solving 
• Improving your self-esteem, self efficacy, compentence and confidence

What if I don't know what my goals are for therapy?

During the initial interview you and the therapist will have the opportunity to decipher what the problems might be. In therapy you and the therapist choose which areas to work on. Goals will be identified and a treatment plan will be implemented to guide the process and progress of therapy. You are going to work with the therapist to figure out what the best path for you. Some people have fast therapy cycles and some have slow cycles. Again, this is decided by you the client with the guidance and support of the therapist. The treatment plan is usually established at the second session and can be changed and updated throughout the therapeutic process. Establishing a self directed focused treatment plan is essential. The therapist is a supportive mentor in your personal transformation. You don't have to go it alone. Help is available now. 

Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?

There is a confusing array of insurance arrangements. The first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage carefully and find the answers to the following questions:

• Do I have mental health benefits?
• What is my deductible and has it been met?
• How many sessions per calendar year does my plan cover?
• How much do you pay for an out-of-net provider?
• Is there a limitation on how much you will pay per session?
• Is primary care physician approval required?

Is therapy confidential?

The law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and their therapist. At no time will Robin Toler, art therapist, addictions counselor disclose any information to anyone, agency or any institution without your explicit permission. In cases of court supeona, this office will do everything it can to prevent information from being disclosed in any form. 

As an art therapist and licensed addictions counselor, I am a public servant and by law, I have a duty to protect the public. This duty is applicable to certain extreme conditions which include:

• Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s. The therapist must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
• If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in insuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, further measures may be taken without their permission in order to ensure their safety.