Common Questions About Therapy

Is therapy right for me?

Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one's life such as a divorce or work transition. Many seek the counsel of a therapist as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.

What is Marriage and Family Therapy?

Marriage and Family Therapy is a recognized field in psychotherapy. It was developed more than fifty years ago by psychologists and psychiatrists working with individuals with mental illness and their families. It is a holistic approach to therapy that looks at the context of a person’s life and relationships, as well as what current issues the person may be dealing with. This is called a “systems” approach. Marriage and Family Therapy is not just for couples and families with children; individuals can benefit from this perspective as well.

Why use a Marriage and Family Therapist?

Marriage and Family Therapists help people respond to life’s changes by helping them explore their current circumstances and work with them to reach their goals. Using the “systems” approach, Marriage and Family Therapists assist clients in identifying what is happening internally and how that is playing out in their relationships. Individuals, couples and families often seek help for behavioral problems, mental and emotional disorders and relational problems from Marriage and Family Therapists.

How do I find the right therapist for me?

Research has shown that the quality of the relationship with the therapist is crucial to the success of the therapy, so it is important to find someone that feels right to you. Take your time to try different therapists and see who feels right. The best way to assess your fit with a therapist is to meet them for an initial session or to at least speak by phone and see if you are drawn to working with them. You should feel comfortable and generally at ease with your new therapist. Feelings of anxiety and awkwardness are normal in a first session with a new therapist, but you should still be able to sense if the therapist seems like a good fit for you. To help keep your costs in finding the right therapist reasonable, Andrew Snyder offers a no-cost initial telephone or office consultation. 

What can I expect in a therapy session?

Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. During therapy sessions it is standard to talk about the primary issues and concerns in your life. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts 45 minutes. Sometimes individuals who are going through a particularly difficult challenge may request more time per session or more than one session per week. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. Between sessions it is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions.

What benefits can I expect from working with a therapist?

Therapy can provide insight and new perspectives into life's challenges and can help create solutions to difficult problems. Many people find that working with a therapist can enhance personal development, improve relationships and family dynamics, and can ease the challenges of daily life. Sometimes, just having someone there to listen is helpful. Overall, people in therapy tend to have lower levels of anxiety and stress, decreased conflict, and improved quality of life.

What if I don’t know what my goals are for therapy?

You do not have to know what you want to be different in your life or relationships before therapy can begin. Discovering and developing goals for therapy is part of the process of therapy. Sometimes it is helpful to develop specific goals, sometimes it is helpful to have broad goals, and sometimes it is helpful to remain open to discover or rediscover what's important to you before developing specific goals. Therapists are trained to facilitate conversations that can help you access or develop direction in your life and in your therapy and increase the meaningful possibilities available to you.       

Is therapy confidential? 

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and a psychotherapist. Information is not disclosed without written permission. However, there are number of exceptions to this rule: a client presents a danger to self or others, or when child/elder abuse/neglect are suspected.

How do I make an appointment or get more information?

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Andrew Snyder, please call (808) 292-4828 or write to him at andrew.snyder.lmft@gmail.com.