Q. What is counseling or therapy?

A. Counseling, or psychotherapy, is a process in which an individual works with a trained professional to learn about his emotions and behaviors to implement change. Often someone comes to counseling when they are experiencing emotional pain. The counseling process is a collaborative way to modify ways of thinking, feeling and behaving to enhance and improve life. The therapeutic process is conducted confidentially.

Q. What does counseling look like?

A. Counseling typically takes place in the therapists' office and lasts 50 minutes per session. Depending on the style of therapy, sessions may be once a week or some other agreed upon schedule.

Q. Why do people seek counseling?

A. There are many reasons people might seek counseling with a professional. Below are some reasons they pick up the phone and decide to seek help:

• self-esteem issues
• anxiety, worries, obsessions
• relationship problems
• addictions
• guilt
• excessive anger or frustration
• communication problems
• life event concerns such as marriage, divorce, parenthood, job changes or loss, step-family issues, empty nest, retirement, old age
• issues of sexuality or sexual identity
• coping with traumatic events and the after-effects of childhood or adult physical, sexual, or emotional abuse and trauma
• current violence or other forms of abuse
• illness and/or death

Q. Is therapy confidential?

A. Licensed therapists are committed to respecting your privacy and believe that all counseling is confidential. If the client pays with insurance, they must agree to release information that the insurance company requires for payment. In addition, the law and ethics require that a therapist warn anyone in danger of harm by the client, take steps that may require breaking the confidential nature of the therapy if a client is a threat to him/herself, and report any suspected incident of child abuse or neglect.

APA Help Center: http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/

Elder Care Topics: http://www.caring.com

Mental health topics: http://www.mentalhelp.net