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Disclaimer: The contents of this site and all the pages herein are intended for informational purposes only and are subject to change without notice at any time. None of the information in this site is intended to be taken as medical direction or advice, therapeutic, legal, or otherwise. This is not a replacement for professional services. At no time does use of this site nor communication through this site constitute a therapeutic relationship between the user and therapist. Keri M. Zwerner, MA, LMFT and LifeHealingHeart assume no liability for the content of this site or damages that may result from use, reference to, reliance on, or decisions resulting from its use. Use of this site establishes your consent to the provisions of this disclaimer. Copyright 2006. All rights reserved
What is therapy?
Millions of Americans have found help changing some aspect of their life through psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy or counseling. Psychotherapy involves talking with a trained mental health professional.
The therapist can help people gain insight into their feelings, change behaviors, resolve problems or learn how to deal with feelings like stress, grief, loss, fear and sadness. Talk therapy is sometimes combined with homework assignments between sessions. Therapy can be held one-on-one, with couples, families or even in groups.
How can psychotherapy help you?
From time to time, we all experience situations where we can benefit from a trained professional. Psychotherapy is helpful with significant life changes, decisions that need to be made and difficulties at home or work.
Psychotherapy and counseling, "the talking cures," are the practices of healing your emotions, mind, and soul through tending your relationships with your self, your family, your friends, and your business associates. They are characterized by a series of private and confidential meetings with a therapist. This series consist of a few weekly meetings or many sessions over a few years, depending on the problems presented, your goals, your values, and of course your choice.
Talk therapy is also helpful for serious problems that interfere with day-to-day life, such as physical or mental illness. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one-third of adults in the United States have an emotional or substance abuse problem for which they need help. Also, nearly 25 percent of the adult population suffers at some point from depression or anxiety. Therapy can help depression, anxiety disorders and other emotional difficulties, either alone or in combination with medication.
The National Mental Health Association suggests psychotherapy for people when:
They feel an overwhelming and prolonged sense of sadness and helplessness, and they lack hope in their lives.
Their emotional difficulties make it hard for them to function from day to day. For example, they are unable to concentrate on assignments and their job performance suffers as a result.
Their actions are harmful to themselves or to others. For instance, they drink too much alcohol and become overly aggressive.
They are troubled by emotional difficulties facing family members or close friends.
They are having problems with interpersonal relationships. Talk therapy brings concrete results for many people. Research shows emotional and physical health are closely linked, and that therapy can improve a person's overall health.
Therapy can effectively decrease depression and anxiety, and related symptoms such as pain, fatigue and nausea. More than 80 percent of people with depressive disorders improve when they receive appropriate treatment, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Psychotherapy has also been found to increase survival time for heart surgery and cancer patients, and it can have a positive effect on the body's immune system.
There are dozens of types of individual and family therapies. However, research has shown that no one orientation is superior to the others. Research does suggest that a therapist who is comfortable and confident with his/her therapy style and both lives out (or embodies) that philosophy and can communicate it to clients is most effective.
Good counseling and therapy are mirrors in which you can see yourself and your family more honestly and clearly. Many successful people characterize their therapist as "a primary physician for their emotional, psychological, relationship, and even spiritual lives." As a guide, mentor or coach, a good counselor is an objective, compassionate, and wise listener. More than a problem solver him/herself, a fine therapist is an expert on helping you solve your own problems in your own way. The wise therapist can also be seen as a referral source to ideas, feelings, attitudes, issues, activities, resources and people that could prove especially be helpful to you.
A crucial factor in successful counseling is feeling comfortable and confident about your therapist and view him/her as a trustworthy, caring, healthy, competent, and moral person who understands your problems and relates well to you and with you. It is most important that you feel engaged in a process that is transformational and fulfilling. So be a good consumer and choose your therapist carefully and wisely.
Millions of Americans have found help changing some aspect of their life through psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy or counseling. Psychotherapy involves talking with a trained mental health professional.
The therapist can help people gain insight into their feelings, change behaviors, resolve problems or learn how to deal with feelings like stress, grief, loss, fear and sadness. Talk therapy is sometimes combined with homework assignments between sessions. Therapy can be held one-on-one, with couples, families or even in groups.
How can psychotherapy help you?
From time to time, we all experience situations where we can benefit from a trained professional. Psychotherapy is helpful with significant life changes, decisions that need to be made and difficulties at home or work.
Psychotherapy and counseling, "the talking cures," are the practices of healing your emotions, mind, and soul through tending your relationships with your self, your family, your friends, and your business associates. They are characterized by a series of private and confidential meetings with a therapist. This series consist of a few weekly meetings or many sessions over a few years, depending on the problems presented, your goals, your values, and of course your choice.
Talk therapy is also helpful for serious problems that interfere with day-to-day life, such as physical or mental illness. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one-third of adults in the United States have an emotional or substance abuse problem for which they need help. Also, nearly 25 percent of the adult population suffers at some point from depression or anxiety. Therapy can help depression, anxiety disorders and other emotional difficulties, either alone or in combination with medication.
The National Mental Health Association suggests psychotherapy for people when:
They feel an overwhelming and prolonged sense of sadness and helplessness, and they lack hope in their lives.
Their emotional difficulties make it hard for them to function from day to day. For example, they are unable to concentrate on assignments and their job performance suffers as a result.
Their actions are harmful to themselves or to others. For instance, they drink too much alcohol and become overly aggressive.
They are troubled by emotional difficulties facing family members or close friends.
They are having problems with interpersonal relationships. Talk therapy brings concrete results for many people. Research shows emotional and physical health are closely linked, and that therapy can improve a person's overall health.
Therapy can effectively decrease depression and anxiety, and related symptoms such as pain, fatigue and nausea. More than 80 percent of people with depressive disorders improve when they receive appropriate treatment, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Psychotherapy has also been found to increase survival time for heart surgery and cancer patients, and it can have a positive effect on the body's immune system.
There are dozens of types of individual and family therapies. However, research has shown that no one orientation is superior to the others. Research does suggest that a therapist who is comfortable and confident with his/her therapy style and both lives out (or embodies) that philosophy and can communicate it to clients is most effective.
Good counseling and therapy are mirrors in which you can see yourself and your family more honestly and clearly. Many successful people characterize their therapist as "a primary physician for their emotional, psychological, relationship, and even spiritual lives." As a guide, mentor or coach, a good counselor is an objective, compassionate, and wise listener. More than a problem solver him/herself, a fine therapist is an expert on helping you solve your own problems in your own way. The wise therapist can also be seen as a referral source to ideas, feelings, attitudes, issues, activities, resources and people that could prove especially be helpful to you.
A crucial factor in successful counseling is feeling comfortable and confident about your therapist and view him/her as a trustworthy, caring, healthy, competent, and moral person who understands your problems and relates well to you and with you. It is most important that you feel engaged in a process that is transformational and fulfilling. So be a good consumer and choose your therapist carefully and wisely.