How Therapy Can Help

Talk therapy can be an effective approach to managing life stressors and mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, relational issues and eating disorders. Additionally, therapy can support individuals in developing healthy, fulfilling lives and relationships. There are a lot of reasons why people decide to pursue therapy and many different styles and approaches to therapy that can be effective in meeting your goals and healing.

FAQs and Myths about therapy

Why Do you use the term “client” rather than “patient”?

At Respire we believe we are in a mutual relationship with those seeking therapy and that language matters. For us, client denotes empowerment for you to decide for yourself what your needs are and engage in your therapy as an equal participant. While we bring in our expertise and experience in how to support and foster change for our clients, you bring your rich life experience and know your needs better than anyone. We choose ‘client’ for this reason and other providers may choose patient for other reasons. If at any point you’d prefer we use patient or any other term, please let us know!

Participating in therapy means there is something wrong me

We believe that we are as we are for many reasons and having stress, struggles, or areas of growth doesn’t necessarily mean anything is “wrong” with you. It might mean you could benefit from more self-compassion, or reevaluating your beliefs and values, or engaging in relationships in a different way. There might be something “wrong” too, as sufferers of depression or trauma often feel, and therapy can help you to identify your path toward healing. Emotional distress may also be an indicator of a physical health concerns and therapists can support you while consulting with medical professionals and providing support through the process.

Therapy is for x-type of people

People from all backgrounds and a vast array of life circumstance, ages, genders, ethnicities, spiritual beliefs, locations, etc. decide to participate in therapy and many of them benefit from therapy. Concurrently therapists are also a diverse bunch, utilizing many different approaches and bringing unique experiences to the table.

Therapy is too expensive, too hard to find, too time consuming, …

Therapy is an investment in your health and well-being and a personal choice many decide to engage in. Finding a therapist that fits with you and your budget can be frustrating and stressful at times and finding a good fit is really important. There are many resources available to help you find one that works for you and consulting with other providers is often a good place to start. When you schedule an initial session or consultation with us, we will discuss approach, schedule, fees, and needs to decide if working together might be a good fit. If not, we are pleased to provide referrals for other providers that may work for you.

I will have to take medication

Medication is NOT a requirement of therapy. In some cases medication can be an effective intervention in conjunction with therapy and your therapist may recommend you seek evaluation based on your presenting concerns and needs. In California, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Clinical Social Workers, Professional Counselors, and most Psychologists are NOT authorized to prescribe medication. If you are considering pharmaceutical interventions to support your health and well-being, we can provide referrals to a licensed Psychiatrist or other qualified Medical Professional to provide medication evaluation and support services.

So Can Therapy Help Me?

For many, therapy is an effective approach to many concerns. It is also a process, and sometimes a trial and error one, to find the right fit for you. Trained mental health professionals will continually be assessing for efficacy and talking with you about the best approach for your needs based on their training and research in best practices. Furthermore, therapy is not a passive act. It requires you to participate in many different ways with the therapist who will be providing research informed support and guidance. It’s not a set-step process but a journey you create collaboratively.

Resources for more information

Choosing a Mental Health Professional in California - published by California Board of Behavioral Science

Psychotherapy: Myths vs. Reality published by the American Psychological Association

Community Behavioral Health Resources, San Francisco

National Alliance on Mental Illness, San Francisco