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Judy
Fisher, MSW, LCSW What
to expect in your first counseling session
What
to expect in your first counseling session In your first session, Judy will typically will ask certain questions about you and your life. This information helps her make an initial assessment of your situation. Questions she might ask include:
Don’t just sit there! Therapy is a team effort. If you don’t take an active part in the session, you won’t find the counseling experience valuable. Here are some things you can do to make your first session as successful as possible. Be open. Therapists are trained to ask the right questions, but they’re not mind readers. The therapist can do his job more effectively if you answer the questions openly and honestly. Be prepared. Before you get to the session, know how to describe “what’s wrong,” and to describe your feelings about your problem. One way to prepare is to write down the reasons you’re seeking help. Make a list and then read it out loud. Hearing yourself say it a few times will help you describe things more clearly to the therapist. Ask questions. The more you understand the counseling experience or how counseling works, the more comfortable you’ll be. Ask questions about the therapy process, and ask the therapist to repeat anything you don’t understand. Be open and honest about your feelings. A lot will be going through your head in this first session. Listen to your own reactions and feelings, and share them with the therapist. You’ll both learn from these insights. Be sure to go to your first session with realistic expectations. Therapy is not a quick fix for your problem, rather it is a process. With some effort on your part and a strong relationship with your therapist, it can be a successful tool toward resolving problems. (Bressert, psychcentral.com) Back
to Top Couples
Counseling When
Counseling can help Sleep or sexual problems, extreme moodiness or feelings of dissatisfaction, loneliness, sadness or failure also can be clues that something is wrong. Couples counseling can uncover the underlying issues. There
may be external factors that can add stress to your relationship,
including:
Professional counseling can help you learn coping strategies for such periods of transition or stress. What to expect from therapy: Most couples meet with their therapist once a week for about an hour each session. Generally, therapy lasts for about 12 to 20 sessions. During the first session, the therapist will review the therapeutic process, confidentiality and cost. She will become acquainted with you and your partner and the problems that brought you to counseling. She will ask many questions to understand your lives and relationship as best as possible. Both you and your partner should feel comfortable talking with your counselor. The Couples Counseling Process: For the first several sessions, the therapist will attempt to evaluate your relationship. She will try to figure out:
She also will study you as individuals. Together, the two of you and your therapist will set realistic goals, which could be anything from learning how to be empathetic to figuring out new ways to negotiate problems to deciding how to share household and parental responsibilities. Your counselor will use a variety of therapeutic techniques until your goals are met or until you reach a point where either you or the therapist wants to terminate treatment. Responsibility of the couple: Ideally, both you and your partner will seek professional help together. But, therapy can have positive outcomes even if only one of you is willing to attend. Most important, however, is your willingness to be honest and to make changes. Although your therapist can provide direction, you are responsible for acting on such guidance. By doing so, you will enjoy improved interaction and renewed enthusiasm for your relationship. (Framingham, psychcentral.com) Back
to Top Helping a Child Through Play Therapy Adults often think of child’s play as mere fun and games, or a way to fill time. Actually, imaginative and creative play assists a child’s cognitive growth and emotional adjustment. Through play, a child develops self-confidence, a positive self-image and learns to express feelings, make decisions and cope with real-life situations. As such, play can be therapeutic, helping a child deal with and overcome problems that inhibit his normal development. How does play therapy work? Play therapy offers a child a safe place to play out-rather than talk out-his thoughts, feelings and problems. The therapist chooses toys that encourage “fantasy play,” such as clay, sand, water, drawing materials and puppets, as well as toys that enable a child to act out real-life scenarios. The therapist builds a warm and supportive relationship with the child, thereby encouraging the child to open up through the symbolic language of play. During a therapy session, few limits are set and the child is given complete freedom to control his play and actions. In such a protective, yet empowering environment, the child generally leads the therapist to the source of his emotional disturbance through his activity and behavior. The therapist uses developmentally appropriate techniques to help the child let go of negative or restricting feelings and develop coping mechanisms to use in real life. Who can benefit from play therapy? All children go through stages or an occasional emotional “crisis.” But some children have serious problems, often caused by:
Often, a child needing help displays the following characteristics:
Session one and beyond: During the first session, the therapist describes the treatment process, parental involvement, treatment termination and cost. Confidentially is reviewed, and parents must sign a consent to treat before therapy can begin. The therapist talks with the parents to learn more about the problem-how long it has been present, how they have tried to deal with it, and how it affects the child’s life and family members. Then, the child is introduced to the therapist, the playroom and the therapeutic process. Usually, a child will see the play therapist two to three times a week. The length of treatment varies. The child’s level of functioning, during the session and at home, will worsen and improve over the course of therapy. Once the child has worked through his problem and has reached a state of emotional health and a level of functioning that is appropriate for his age and stage of development, he is ready to end treatment. (Framingham, psychcentral.com) Back
to Top Depression in Children and Adolescents Depression in children and adolescents is a major health problem in the United States. Unfortunately, it is often ignored or misdiagnosed. It is not uncommon for parents to attribute moodiness to hormones or other factors that are a normal part of growing up. However, major depressive disorders occur in approximately 2 to 4 percent of children, and increase two- to threefold during adolescence. Depression is particularly common among children who are hospitalized for medical reasons—approximately 30 to 40 percent of hospitalized children can be diagnosed with major depression. The following factors may be associated with childhood depression:
Signs and Symptoms of Depression:
Treating depression in children and adolescents: The first step to helping your child is listening to him with support and impartiality. If your child says things like “Everyone hates me,” find out why he feels that way. Help him understand that what he is feeling is probably temporary and mostly from the interaction with only one or two people. Help your child focus on what is going well with those around him and ways he can make those relationships better. Children with more severe forms of depression—shown by school failure, loss of weight, appetite changes and engagement in harmful behaviors—should seek the help of a professional who has experience working with children and adolescents. Treatment may involve psychotherapy, medications or both. (Demitri, psychcentral.com) Back
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