Practice Policies
Benefits and Risks of Psychotherapy
Persons contemplating psychotherapy should realize
that clients frequently make significant changes in
their lives as a result of treatment. For example,
people often modify their emotions, attitudes, and
behaviors. Also, clients may make changes in their
marriages or significant relationships such as with
parents, children, friends, relatives, etc... Because
of psychotherapy, clients may change employment, begin
to feel differently about themselves and otherwise
alter
significant aspects of their lives. If you have questions
about the benefits and risks of psychotherapy, please
discuss this issue immediately with your therapist
so that your questions might be answered. If you are
unclear about any aspect of treatment, it is your
responsibility to ask questions. Be sure that
your therapist has explained things to you in terms
you can readily understand. Remember Psychotherapy
does not make changes in you. You make changes in
yourself. In addition, remember that treatment
recommendations are just recommendations and it is
your input and implementation which determines their
appropriateness, success, and/or failure. Change remains
one of the hardest tasks that an individual can do
and does not happen over night. Be prepared to make
a minimum commitment of at least 6 to 8 visits before
you decide that therapy is NOT working
for you. Evaluate your expectations with your therapist
upon entering therapy to determine if they are realistic
and obtainable goals for you and/or your
family. Your therapist will help you to consider what
are appropriate expectations and what is not realistic
for a therapeutic process.
