Psychotherapy Frequently Asked Questions
I am new to psychotherapy. Is it something that is done to me?
Psychotherapy is a shared event, and, thankfully, nothing is done to anyone. It is a creative collaboration between us in which all topics, situations, and feelings that you choose to bring in become a welcome part of what we discuss. The difference between this relationship and any other is that it is centered on you, and I will be actively engaged in using my attention and skills to support and assist you in making the changes that you seek.
What is psychotherapy?
Volumes have been written about psychotherapy, describing it from different perspectives and theoretical models. The best I can do, here, is say that it is a process between two people in which we collaboratively work toward your experience of clarity about the important issues in your life and how you can healthily and successfully manage them. At a deep level, this may involve drawing into conscious awareness the patterns, beliefs, and rules that may be unconsciously driving your behavior and responses. At a more mundane level, this may be offering you a neutral yet engaged sounding board for important life decisions and during periods of ongoing stress. In either case, psychotherapy opens up fresh options and choices, and hopefully “unsticks” troubling “stuck” places.
How much time will I be in therapy?
That depends on what you wish to accomplish with the issues you bring to therapy. You might be working on something that is fairly brief, such as learning new communication skills in order to address some interpersonal problems. Or you might be seeking lengthier “depth” work, such as transforming one’s relationship with one’s self. The best answer to the question is that it depends on what you seek to accomplish, and ranges from a few sessions to many years. You are in control of how much time you spend in this endeavor.
Is psychotherapy “pain free”?
I love this question because it is certainly one I wanted answered when I first went into therapy, decades ago. The honest answer is “no”. In the process of this work, you may uncover painful truths about yourself and others, and you may even make painful choices, such as ending a relationship. However your well-being and your freedom to thoroughly enjoy your life, whatever that means for you, is the ultimate goal, and I will do what I can to help you.
How much does it cost?
My fee is $140 for a one hour session. I am an in-network Provider for Medicare and most of the insurance carriers that reimburse for therapy services. If you want to use your insurance, please call your insurer, ask if Jeremy Cole is an in-network Provider, verify your coverage, your deductible, your co-payment amount, and request authorization of sessions if that a requirement of your policy.