News Archive: DEMYSTIFYING THERAPY- It May Not Be What You Think

Have misconceptions about “therapy” kept you from getting professional help for persistent personal problems? If so, you’re probably not alone. Some clinical therapists suspect that it is misconceptions about the therapeutic process that frequently keep people from seeking treatment.

It’s not surprising that some people may be somewhat mystified by or fearful of the therapeutic experience. For years, therapy has often been depicted in the media as an endless process in which participants lay on couches, bearing their souls to all-knowing strangers who promise to solve the mysteries of their psyches.

In reality, that’s not the way it works. While there are people with complex issues who require longer-term treatment, professional counseling today is, generally, a short-term, goal-oriented process. This means that most of today’s clinical therapists and psychologists approach the therapeutic process by focusing on solving specific problems and by working with clients to set clear, attainable goals. How long the process takes depends on the issues being explored explored, financial factors (namely health insurance limitations), the professional’s style and, most importantly, the client’s desire and willingness to succeed.

“Behavioral health professionals do have varying styles, but most embrace a philosophy of empowering clients,” says Dianne Flaherty, licensed clinical therapist at The Providence Center.

“The people who come to us for help are the most important part of the equation. As therapists, we want to engage them in the process of setting goals, learning new behaviors and developing new coping strategies,” she continued.

So, how do you know if you are a candidate for therapy? If you have been struggling for awhile with a personal problem and its’ not getting any better – or it’s getting worse – it may be time to contact a counselor.
Many people have reported feeling overwhelmed by a situation, confused, or depressed when they sought counseling. Therapists agree that it is best to seek help early, before a problem becomes consuming and threatens to disrupt one’s overall happiness or relationships.

A general truth about counseling is that just making the first appointment can often bring a person a sense of relief. “For people who have been grappling with a problem, setting up that fist appointment can give them a great sense of control over the problem. It’s an important first step,” states Flaherty.

It’s also important for people to understand that they have the right to receive quality services from behavior health professionals. If you decide to seek counseling, you should feel free to question your therapist. You may want to inquire about the process and about the therapist’s professional style.

No matter what, seeking help from a therapist is not a sign of weakness, or an endless process. Instead, it’s the first step towards feeling better about yourself and your life. Back to top

Beating the Post-Vacation Blues

Feeling blue after a vacation is not unusual, said a clinician. It’s so common, in fact, that this phenomenon has been given a name all its own: the “Post-Vacation Blues.”

“On vacation, we usually get enough sleep, take it as slow or as fast as we want, and typically do things that we enjoy,” she explains. “But when we arrive home, we suddenly have to switch gears and take on the responsibilities of work, family and home.”

Going back to work can sometimes be a tough transition. This is primarily because the workplace is the antithesis of a vacation. While vacations are generally free-flowing and relatively stress-free, the workplace is a structured environment with stressful demands and deadlines.

“On vacation, we escape from our daily rituals, and take a break from our busy lifestyles,” explained the clinician. “When we come home, we surrender this flexibility and a great deal of control to the demands of everyday life.”

While feeling let down after vacation is not uncommon, it can be minimized. Whether you spend your vacation on an exotic island or lounging by the backyard pool, the clinician offers some tips for fending off those pesky post-vacation blues:

• Remember to relax. Choose vacation activities that will make you feel refreshed and renewed not exhausted. Beating the blues will be twice as difficult if your vacation wiped you out.
  
• Be creative with your vacation time. Rather than take a two-week vacation, take several long weekends and plan interesting activities. This way you’ll always have something to look forward to.
  
• Try returning home on a Friday, so you have a couple of days to prepare for the work week; it can help ease the transition to your duties.
  
• Use your vacation as a catalyst for change. If you dread the thought of returning to work, make the decision to go back refreshed and ready to make some productive changes, such as improving your delegating skills, practicing better time management, or organizing your workplace.
  
• Plan to do something fun after your trip. Go out to dinner with friends or take the kids to the zoo. Rather than dreading going home, you’ll have a pleasant activity to anticipate.
  
• Accentuate the positive. Upon returning to the challenges of daily living, go over your photos and souvenirs to relive enjoyable moments from your trip. You may also find it helpful to remind yourself of the things you like most about your life and environment, like your friends, your community, and the comfort and security of home.

If it seems like your post-vacation blues are lingering a bit too long, consider contacting a mental health professional. Back to top

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

A diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may follow exposure to an extremely stressful event, such as a fire, rape or mugging, serious accidents, natural or human-caused disasters, or military combat exposure. "Physical, cognitive and emotional symptoms of PTSD include nausea, memory impairment, intrusive visions, anxiety, grief, and guilt," explained Elaine Poncelet, clinical therapist at The Providence Center.

Once PTSD occurs, the severity and duration of the illness varies. "Individuals may react and cope quite differently to such a catastrophic event. In the case of the fire, for example, we can expect a broad range of symptoms based on individual experiences," said Poncelet.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), "Many people with PTSD repeatedly re-experience the ordeal in the form of flashback episodes, memories, nightmares, or frightening thoughts, especially when they are exposed to events or objects reminiscent of the trauma." Other symptoms typically include emotional numbness, guilt, and detachment from others.

"Individuals experiencing PTSD may seem disconnected, may behave in unfamiliar ways or may appear to be in a daze. We need to be conscious of the fact that their state of reality may be altered by their experiences," states Dallas Gulley, community support services director at The Providence Center.

Available Treatments for PTSD
There are a number of different ways to treat PTSD, including "cognitive-behavior therapy, group therapy and exposure therapy, in which the patient gradually and repeatedly relives the frightening experience under controlled conditions to help him or her work through the trauma," according to the NIMH. Medications are also available to alleviate the symptoms of PTSD.

Offering Support
Both Poncelet and Gulley offer the following tips when supporting a friend, family member or co-worker experiencing PTSD:

• Encourage individuals to keep talking and express what they experienced. The best tact is to provide unintrusive yet vigilant support.
  
• Let people know it's okay to express their emotions and cry. This may be difficult for some to do in front of others.
  
• Individuals suffering a loss may not be receptive to the concern and support of others. They may react very calmly, while another may express strong opposition. If your efforts are rebuffed, don't take it personally.
  
• Listen before you offer unsolicited advice. You may have had a similar experience, but individuals react differently, and they may ask for advice later.
• No matter what, Poncelet and Gulley agree, "The most important thing to do for someone with PTSD is simply be there, listen and show you care." Back to top