DoTheWork.info - Kathy Norwine

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individual psychotherapy

"individual therapy is
where i found an old friend
i thought i'd lost...
...me"

Individual Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy can be short term, lasting just a couple of sessions over a few weeks, or it can take many sessions over several years. It can take place in individual, couples, family or group sessions. Therapy is not a magical fix. It is hard work, and it teaches you to gain insight into your behaviors, thoughts, feelings and how they have influenced your relationships, personal experiences, and creation of repetitive patterns in your life. Doing the work of therapy can help you to explore relationships & experiences, identify and make changes in troubling behavior or thoughts, find better ways to cope and problem solve. Doing the work can strongly impact your relationships, your functioning and your overall happiness. It can help you regain a sense of control in your life and help alleviate symptoms such as depression, anxiety, hopelessness and anger.

Finding A Therapist

Finding a therapist can feel like an overwhelming task. If it seems like more time and energy than you have because you are depressed or you feel anxious about making the first contact - consider asking for help from family, friends or another trusted person. Be sure to ask as many questions as you need to of a potential therapist, during the first phone call or at your first visit. Consider whether you have preferences regarding gender, age, religion or other personal issues when choosing a therapist. Ask about their education, training, licensure and years in practice. Therapists often specialize in certain disorders or age groups. Find out if they specialize, if this is important to you.

Comfort in Therapy

Once you've found a therapist, if you don't feel comfortable after the first visit, try to determine whether your discomfort is simply due to being in a new situation talking about personal things with someone new, or whether you do not feel a connection with the therapist. If it somehow just doesn't feel right, follow your gut - often it takes a few attempts to find the right therapist match. If you feel uneasy about the session but you feel comfortable with the therapist, then talk about your concerns at your next session. This is all part of the process of doing the work. If a therapist gives you advice or provides you with "answers" - change therapists. This is not their job and is not what therapy is.

Types of Psychotherapy

There are many different types of therapy. Your therapist may or may not have a general orientation to one or several modalities, but the majority of psychotherapists will practice any or all of them, depending on what works best for you and the challenges you are facing.

Feeling Better

The therapeutic process can be uncomfortable, especially in the beginning. But within a few weeks, you should begin to see an improvement in your symptoms, including relief from distress, better decision-making abilities, improved relationships and new coping skills. If that's not happening, talk to your therapist. She will want to know and together you can explore your treatment plans and goals for doing the work.

Kathy Norwine, MSW, LCSW, LICSW

Kathy Norwine is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LCSW, LICSW) in Virginia, D.C. and New Jersey. She currently has a private practice in Alexandria, Virginia and works with individual and group clients. If you are interested in further exploring doing the work on an individual basis, go to Contact Kathy