What To Expect From Therapy in South Pasadena

What to Expect from Therapy in South Pasadena

 South Pasadena, CA is known as the City of Trees and has a charming, close-knit community that is environmentally conscious. Due to preservation efforts, it reminds me of a quaint, small (only 3.5 mi sq. feet!) European suburb. While this town has a high percentage of individuals attending colleges and some of the best schools, when someone,for example, starts struggling emotionally, it may be challenging to describe exactly how mental health therapy works and what to expect from it. I firmly believe in the power of therapy to heal and so, would like to help you by explaining how therapy works and what you can expect from it. Then, as such you can make an educated decision on this matter. 

I have outlined below, what to expect in general from therapy. What I mean by this is there are many different types of therapeutic training, specialties and methods that provide therapeutic success. I am simply going to outline the one that most therapists will abide by. If you have any specific questions or follow-ups, I’d be happy to provide a 20 min free consultation via phone: 626-594-5353. Visit: http:www.mentalwealthinc.com

IMP things to know before starting: Therapy is a confidential and private space. THat means that ethically and legally a therapist CANNOT speak about their clients to anyone without their clients’ explicit written consent. (Meaning, you will have to put down in writing that you want your info re: therapy shared with someone specifically by name and also ID what exactly you want revealed!). This essentially makes this a completely safe space for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, deepest desires and fears. The only exception is if there is an acute medical emergency and the Psychologist needs to breach confidentiality (usually to speak to medical staff in the ER) to  keep you safe or someone else or their property safe.

How does therapy work

1. When you first identify a potential Psychologist or therapist: 

During your initial phone call, most therapists will provide a free consultation to hear out your problems, concerns and future goals. The therapist will usually have a few follow up Q’s as you are discussing what you want help with. This is what we call a screening & it’s an opportunity for the therapist to see if there are any concerns outside their scope of practice (i.e. area of expertise). If you feel like you connected with the therapist, then an actual appointment called an Initial Intake is scheduled. These can be at their office location or virtually (especially now, during the pandemic). 

2. That if you felt unsure about the 1st therapist being the right fit for you:

 I do want to point out that it is not uncommon for people to shop around and talk to more than one therapist. Often it's because they didn’t feel a connection or your specific problem was outside their scope of practice. At which point, an ethical therapist will provide you with referral/s to colleagues who would seemingly be a better fit. 

3. Getting there: 

You will have acquired directions & office info from the therapist during your call. They will likely have gone over any specifics, like any landmarks to identify the building, what to do when you walk into the front door (ex: location of waiting room), whether there is a buzzer, sign up sheet etc., or all you are expected to do is sit down in the waiting room and await your therapist to usher you into the office. Once you walk into the office, you can sit anywhere you like, as long as it’s not in the therapists’ chair! Hah. If your appointment is for virtual or tele-therapy services, then a link is usually emailed to you- this is the most convenient option, although not for everyone. Clients in acute distress are usually not a good fit for this, in case an urgent situation arises and the therapist now has no idea where the client is or how to get them help

1st appointment!

4. Your First therapy appointment:

This is usually anywhere between 45min-1 hour and entails you discussing your problems in more detail- as much as you can provide. This appt. Is a little different than the rest, in that the therapist has structured questions. This may be in the form of a questionnaire that either he/she fills out based on your answers, or may have already acquired all your signed forms. For ex., in the interest of time, I usually have my clients fill out  their paperwork packets, prior to their Initial Intake. This Initial appt. Is also an opportunity for you to express any concerns or questions you may have. During this appointment, office policies (ex: any cancellation windows), fees for services, payment methods, how often you two will be meeting, a day/time for your ongoing appointments will be set, and treatment goals will be developed. If this is Couples’ therapy initial appt., there may be additional Intake appointments where you and your partner are met by your therapist separately from each other and/or together. Relationship specific policies can also be discussed with you, such as the ‘no secrets’ between partners. Lastly, your signature on a consent to treatment form will be acquired by ther therapist to then start seeing you on an ongoing basis.

5. Therapy appointments or sessions (ongoing or f/u):

For individual therapy, this is the 2nd time you will be seeing your therapist but your first official just ‘therapy’ appt. Your appointment will usually start right on time (so try to be early so you can get there and relax a little. Take a bit of time to focus perhaps?).Usually the Psychologist is done with the questionnaire by now (if not, they will let you know ahead of time). This appointment, you are simply expected to bring up whatever is bothering you, even if it’s something you haven’t mentioned before. That’s it on your end. Show up every week, on time and engage. If you are motivated and truly try, I am almost certain you will see some positive change in your life. If not, perhaps it’s time to try another therapist. But give it some time- at least a few months. This is not a magic pill. It's yourself that we are trying to uphold and change for the best.

6. What is the process of therapy like 

Therapy can feel like a complex, abstract concept. I've heard clients coming in saying, “How can just talking to someone make it better?” Well, therapy isn’t just talking. The

second part, therapy, is key here. Therapists are not here to tell you what to do/not to do nor is it our place to tell you how to live your life. That is your call alone. But, we can shed light on what it is you really want, but are having a hard time coming to grips with your choice, for example. On a basic level, first. A therapist will be an objective ear. Not a subjective one like your partners’ or family members etc.  There are so MANY interventions at our disposal including, but not limited to, exploring how your past is keeping you from living fully in the moment, how your defense mechanisms are interfering with life happiness, interventions that trigger insight (those ‘ah-ha!’ moments), education about replacing unhealthy habits with adaptive ones, behavioral change methods (ex: HW for couples’ to increase intimacy), finding deeper meaning in your life and then creating attainable steps to work towards achieving them, guiding you to understand and accept all parts of yourself- even the parts you hate or are ashamed of, shedding guilt and shame, changing your locus of control from external to internal, enabling emotional insight, guiding you through mindfulness-meditation exercises, breathing exercises, flooding for phobias, providing you with a corrective emotional experience that is modeled in the therapeutic relationship and so much more! But you don’t need to worry about that. Trusting your therapist and most importantly, your motivation to heal, get better or want a happy life is what counts. Lastly (before we continue the list), remember that for most people you feel worse before it gets better. But it will usually be better than you ever have been before. Think of it as a new muscle you are working out.

7. How long does it last

This is perhaps the question on all people’s minds. This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on each individual person’s pace, what exactly is their issue/s underneath what they are aware of. So this can be as quick as a few months                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               3-4 months & as long as ongoing weekly sessions for most of your life. T]]]]] need to be supported- you deserve to be healthy, to have a plethora of mental wealth, to feel safe, supported, successful and most important, Happy!

That’s all the information I can think of. If you have any further questions, concerns or would like to see if we are a good fit to start therapy, call me at: 626-594-5353. Visit: http:www.mentalwealthinc.com & choose ‘Book Free Consult.’