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LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST

Website by Gail Post © 2009 - All Rights Reserved

   TREATMENT INFORMATION

Why Seek Therapy?

Individuals, families or couples seek therapy for any of the following reasons, as therapy can help to:

Reduce or eliminate symptoms, such as feelings of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness;

Decrease unwanted, self-defeating behaviors or   conflicts in parent-child, marital, family or work      relationships;

Improve coping strategies and problem-solving skills, and increase the ability to manage stressful situations;

Improve social and communications skills, and increase comfort and ability to relate to others in family, work  and social situations;

Enhance marital and family relationships and improve parenting skills;

Increase self-esteem, self-confidence and self-     understanding, promoting personal growth;

Rebuild one's sense of self after struggling with grief, loss, stressful life events, or a chronic illness;

Resolve long-standing conflicts that have created distress or harmful behavior patterns.

How Therapy Can Help

Therapy can provide a safe, supportive, and challenging environment where individuals, families or couples develop tools for enhancing their lives.  Through exploration of feelings, thoughts, behaviors or family patterns,  participants gain a greater understanding of how to relieve distress.  A variety of tools can be used, ranging from here-and-now, cognitive-behavioral techniques, to more in-depth exploration of past family patterns and how they relate to current problems.  The American Psychological Association provides an excellent overview about how therapy can help  at: http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/therapy.aspx.

While not a substitute for communicating with family or friends, therapy can provide a unique opportunity for exploring concerns in greater depth and for receiving useful, direct feedback,  Whether you need a brief, supportive approach to address a recent life stressor, or a  resolution to a long-standing conflict, therapy can help.

711 West Ave., Suite 2  Jenkintown, Pa. 19046  -  (215) 884-9260  gailkpost@yahoo.com 

What Should I Look For In A Therapist?

Collaboration

A collaborative model, where an individual feels accepted, respected, and understood is critical to success. Collaborative therapists assess each client's needs, and work in concert with the individual’s preferences, pace, and goals to form a comprehensive treatment plan. Collaborative therapists do not impose their opinions or values, and although treatment recommendations may be offered, clients are seen as autonomous and as capable of making their own decisions. Collaborative therapists also consult with other professionals, such as physicians, nutritionists, or school counselors (with the client’s permission), as part of a treatment team offering collaborative care.

Competence

Competent therapists receive comprehensive training in psychotherapy techniques, psychological assessment, personality theory and ethics.  They continue to update their training and skills through reviews of research and scholarly articles, consultation with colleagues, and participation in continuing education. Many therapists develop areas of specialization and expertise; however,  breadth of training and experience is even more essential. Competent therapists also recognize their limitations and refer to other professionals when the client's needs are outside of the scope of their knowledge. Competent therapists adhere to ethical codes of conduct, do not participate in "dual relationships" and are clear about the limits of what they can offer in therapy.

Empathy

Skilled therapists approach psychotherapy with empathy, a curiosity about the human condition and a respect for differences.  While no one can fully stand in another’s shoes, an empathic therapist tries to appreciate each individual's uniqueness, and truly understand the client's perspectives and views.  An empathic therapist encourages clients to progress at their own pace, make their own decisions, and experience setbacks without shame. When a therapist is attuned to what the client is experiencing, the individual  feels understood and therefore more open to challenging roadblocks that interfere with success.

Creativity

Skilled therapists are creative.  They draw on their training, years of experience, and knowledge of recent research findings to formulate how to approach each problem in therapy.  They create a safe therapeutic environment where fears, hopes and challenges can be explored, and use carefully selected comments, questions, and feedback to facilitate insight and self-awareness.  Creative therapists sense when to challenge, when to offer encouragement, and how to provide support so that change is ultimately possible. 

Why See a Psychologist?

While not a guarantee of excellence, psychologists typically receive more years of training than any of the other mental health specialties.  Psychologists participate in five or more years of post-graduate education, along with several years of post-doctoral supervision.  Training focuses on diagnosis, psychological evaluation, counseling techniques, personality theory, psychopathology, and ethics.  Psychologists are trained in research methods, use research-based strategies to inform their treatment decisions, and are trained to conduct psychological testing. Psychologists in Pennsylvania do not prescribe medications, but work collaboratively with psychiatrists or other medical practitioners when medications are indicated.  More information about psychologists is available from the American Psychological Association at:  http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/choose-therapist.aspx

What about Insurance?

Many clients opt to use their insurance to cover some of the costs of therapy.  It is important to check with your insurance company about specific information, including what is covered, how much is reimbursed and how to receive reimbursement. While coverage can offset expenses,  there are also some drawbacks to using your mental health benefits.  All insurance companies require a psychiatirc diagnosis before providing any reimbursement, and this diagnosis becomes part of your permanent record.  Although the information is considered confidential, submitting a claim for reimbursement creates some risk to privacy or future eligibility when seeking new insurance policies. If you do not submit a claim for reimbursement with your insurance, please note that therapy costs may be deductible as medical expenses on your tax return.