Recycling

For how long should I use your services?

 

Depending on your situation will determine the length you should use our services and how you’ve progressed. However, we recommend that you use our services for at least one month in order to have time to process everything. From guidance on life events to a few weeks of sessions we will be there for you no matter the situation. Sometimes others need more ongoing help and stay with us for about a year.

 

How do I know I have anxiety?

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Therapists often hear the following statements from their clients in relation to anxiety:

• I am constantly worrying about everything, even small things. I am so worried and fearful.

• I can’t relax, have been getting headaches, and don’t feel hungry.

• I feel panicky, my heart is racing and I can’t stop bad thoughts.

• I have a hard time falling asleep because my brain doesn’t stop worrying.

• I am so nervous and overwhelmed at work that I’m afraid of losing my job.

 

These are very common reasons for adults to seek anxiety treatment or counseling when life brings unexpected changes. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), approximately 40 million adults between ages of 18-54 suffer from Anxiety Disorder. Anxiety can also manifest into physical illnesses due to the complex nature of this disorder.

 

The good news is that anxiety disorder is highly treatable. You should consult with your primary physician or see a professional (psychologist or licensed therapist) for an evaluation to ensure you are not ignoring symptoms that can manifest into a medical or severe psychiatric disorder.

 

I want to stop worrying, stop negative thoughts and live a peaceful life. What does therapy for anxiety entail?

 

Anxiety therapy can be multi-modality – consulting with your physician, meeting with a therapist, eating healthy, sleeping well, exercising and starting some form of meditation. Your therapist will complete an evaluation; determine the severity of your anxiety symptoms, source of worry or stressors; make recommendations for treatment; assist you in identifying triggers; resolve past trauma; find balance in your relationships; and teach healthier coping skills to overcome future anxiety problems.

 

What is depression?

 

Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity. It can affect a person's thoughts, behavior, motivation, feelings, and sense of well-being. It may feature sadness, difficulty in thinking and concentration and a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping. People experiencing depression may have feelings of dejection, hopelessness and, sometimes, suicidal thoughts. It can either be short term or long term. The core symptom of depression is said to be anhedonia, which refers to loss of interest or a loss of feeling of pleasure in certain activities that usually bring joy to people. Depressed mood is a symptom of some mood disorders such as major depressive disorder or dysthymia;  it is a normal temporary reaction to life events, such as the loss of a loved one; and it is also a symptom of some physical diseases and a side effect of some drugs and medical treatments.

 

Adversity in childhood, such as bereavement, neglect, mental abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and unequal parental treatment of siblings can contribute to depression in adulthood. Childhood physical or sexual abuse in particular significantly correlates with the likelihood of experiencing depression over the victim's lifetime.

 

Life events and changes that may influence depressed moods include (but are not limited to): childbirth, menopause, financial difficulties, unemployment, stress (such as from work, education, family, living conditions etc.), a medical diagnosis (cancer, HIV, etc.), bullying, loss of a loved one, natural disasters, social isolation, rape, relationship troubles, jealousy, separation, and catastrophic injury. Adolescents may be especially prone to experiencing depressed mood following social rejection, peer pressure, or bullying.

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What happens in family therapy?

 

Family Therapists aim not to take sides, blame, or provide simple ‘one size fits all’ answers. They aim to engage people in sharing understandings and views with each other and exploring ways forward that work for them.

 

Meetings (or ‘sessions’) with a Family Therapist usually last between 50-90 minutes, depending on client needs and service organization. The Family Therapist aims to make people feel welcome and to give everyone a chance to contribute to discussions if they wish.

 

They will adapt their ways of working according to people’s ages, needs, resources, and preferences. Sessions involving children, for example, often include play and drawing. Some people may wish to talk together from the start of therapy sessions, while others may prefer some individual time with their Family Therapist before deciding if, what and how to share their thoughts and feelings with others. The Family Therapist will discuss with you how you would like to work together.

 

Some Family Therapists work individually. Others work in teams or in partnership with colleagues. Sometimes these colleagues sit behind a one-way mirror or screen to watch therapist and family talk together and then share reflections and explore possibilities. Many families say they find this ‘team’ approach to complex difficulties very helpful.

 

What difficulties are helped by Family Therapy?

 

Research shows Family Therapy is useful for children, young people, adults and older adults experiencing a wide range of difficulties and circumstances including:

• Couple relationship difficulties

• Child and adolescent mental health issues

• Adult mental health issues

• Child, adolescent and adult behavior difficulties

• Parenting issues

• Illness and disability in the family

• Separation, divorce and step-family life

• Anorexia, bulimia and other eating disorders

• Fostering, adoption, kinship care and the needs of ‘looked after’ children

• Domestic violence and abuse

• Self-harm

• Drug and alcohol misuse

• The effects of trauma

• Difficulties related to aging and other life cycle changes.

 

Do family therapists only work with families?

 

No. They may see children and adults individually and/or in family member groups. They may work with couples, or with other groups and communities, and with people across the lifespan, from children to older adults.

 

When a family is involved with several different agencies, family therapists may work with the network of professionals as well as with family members to ensure their input is coordinated and helpful.

 

Some family therapists use their understandings of relationships to work with organizations. Many use their skills in family sensitive working to train and/or supervise other professionals.

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Some Family Therapists specialize in working with individuals and communities under-represented in mainstream services, including LGBT clients and those from minority ethnic communities.

 

How long will it take?

 

Sometimes it doesn’t take much to help people free up their strengths and find ways forward. Sometimes difficulties are more complex and families may need longer to find solutions that work for them. I will be happy to discuss timings and timescales with you.

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What if someone is reluctant to go?

 

Sometimes, when one person or group is keen to try Family Therapy others close to them may be more reluctant. This is understandable. Going to Family Therapy can feel like a big step and some people are more ready to take it than others.

 

It may be useful to arrange an initial meeting with me to discuss the possibility of working together and give everyone a chance to air their concerns and ask questions. I will be happy to discuss ways forward with you.

 

What do therapists’ job titles mean?

 

Fully qualified Family Therapists may also be called ‘Family and Systemic Psychotherapists’. This title is reserved for professionals who have completed a high level, AFT-accredited training and who are registered. Therapists must evidence high standards of practice and continuous learning to maintain their registration. The term ‘systemic practitioner’ refers to a person who has completed training in Family and Systemic Psychotherapy to an intermediate level.

 

Can I come for counseling without my partner?

 

Yes. People come alone to therapy for a variety of reasons. You may want help making sense of your current life situation; there may be decisions that you need to make and you want to get an objective outside opinion; you may need help overcoming feelings of anxiety or depression, or you may want to improve your relationship but your partner can’t or won’t come — or you don’t want him or her to come.

 

You can work on navigating your relationship more skillfully regardless of whether your partner comes with you to therapy or not. Often, the process of relationship improvement begins with just one person. 

 

Will my partner and I always attend counseling sessions together?

 

No. We find that the best way to help partners improve their relationships is through a combination of individual and couple sessions. Individually, I will help you and your partner focus on the changes that you each need to make. In couple sessions, I will assist you in putting these changes into practice.