Is therapy right for me and what does it treat?

Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. Having enough self-awareness to realize when you need a helping hand, is to be admired. There are many reasons why people choose to have therapy. Sometimes they want to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it’s in response to unexpected life changes, such as a disaster, work transitions, or divorce. Many seek advice and counsel as they pursue personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges.

What is therapy like?

Counseling gives you a place where you're not judged, you're not told what to do, and you won't be forced to listen to just one single opinion. It’s a place you can feel safe to share about yourself. Therapy takes some work at times. It can get uncomfortable and messy. However, most people leave counseling feeling like the time and energy they put into therapy are well worth it.

Every therapy session is unique and tailored to an individual and their specific goals. Therapists discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around fifty minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions.

For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives.

How do I know if therapy may be beneficial to me?

Several benefits can emerge from participating in psychotherapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks.

Many people also find that counselors can be tremendously helpful in managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life.

Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on difficult problems or point you in the direction of a solution. The help you obtain from therapy depends on how well you use the process and practice what you learn.

Some of the benefits can include:

• Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values

• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

• Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy

• Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety

• Better management of powerful emotions such as anger, grief and depression

• Improving communications and listening skills

• Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones

• Developing skills for improving your relationships

What kind results can I expect with therapy?

Therapy can give you support, coping skills, validation, and strategies to change your perspective and your behaviors. It can enhance your peace of mind and help you tolerate difficult feelings and situations.

Therapy cannot change other people or external circumstances. Therapists provide psychoeducation, feedback, and guidance, but they don’t give advice or answers. If you’re new to therapy, or are exploring unprocessed trauma, therapy may make you feel a bit worse before you feel better.

We can’t tell you how long it will take for you to feel better. But, generally, the more you put into therapy, the more you’ll get out of it.

Is medication a substitute for therapy?

In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your primary care doctor, you can determine what’s best for you. It is well established that mental and emotional problems, and the pain they cause, cannot be solved solely by medication in the long-term. Instead of treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. One can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.

Do you take insurance?

We accept most major insurance plans. When you call, we can take your insurance information and look into what you can expect to pay each session. Typically co-pays run around $20-30 per session after a deductible is met. It can be helpful for you to contact your insurance company to learn the details of your plan.

Do you accept private pay if I’m not using insurance?

We accept personal checks and most major credit cards

Venmo, Apple Pay, PayPal (coming soon)

Do I need a referral from a doctor to have therapy covered by my insurance?

If you have an HMO (health maintenance organization) plan such as Kaiser or some HMSA plans, you will need a referral and authorization from your health plan. We can help assist you navigate insurance coverage, please contact us.

If you have a PPO plan, then you do not need referral for therapy, but behavioral health services need to be covered by your plan.

What if I’m seeking therapy for my keiki / child?

First, know you are a crucial part of this. Parents / Legal Guardians of a client are extremely important and a normal part of therapy with children/adolescents. They are expected to be actively involved in the therapeutic process and in support of changes that may need to be made at home.

If your keiki is younger

We provide developmentally appropriate therapy for children, blending art, play, and talk therapy modalities tailored to each child's unique needs. Our child-focused approach covers topics like grief, behavioral issues, school refusal, sibling dynamics, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, with a focus on involving the family in the therapeutic process. We use developmentally appropriate therapy models and interventions.

If your keiki is a “teen and young adult”

Our skilled therapists specialize in engaging reluctant teens, helping families adjust to developmental changes during adolescence, and supporting teens as they transition to young adulthood. We guide parents in adapting communication and parenting styles to navigate this pivotal family transition.

How do I get started?

You’ve already taken the first step in visiting our site and learning more about therapy. To take the next step, please fill in the needed information at the link below and we will contact you.