Where Can I Find A Reputable Long Island Therapist?
With the right information, you'll be well-equipped to begin treatment on your own if you don't have a close friend to support you. Yes, you'll need time and effort, and those are two things you're not likely to have when you're sorting through the chaos of life. But the more difficult it looks, the more money you may get out of it. Even if you've never done anything like this before, you should be aware of the following information.
When is it a good idea to seek professional help?
To get help in the form of therapy, many people assume that they must be dealing with big life crises such as a breakup or divorce, the loss of an important person in one's life and so on. On the other hand, if you want to attend therapy, it may be useful at any point in time. This may be a great moment to get treatment if you've been thinking about it, says a Long Island-based licensed psychotherapist. As the saying goes, the longer you wait for surgery, the more difficult it becomes.
When making a major life change, such as moving to a new city or country, graduating from college, or becoming a father, it is common to seek therapy. One professional mental health counselor said, "People still require assistance throughout transitional, non-crisis situations." According to him, "a lot of people come to sessions with a broad sense that something isn't quite right, and they want to investigate numerous areas of dissatisfaction with their current situation versus where they think they should be,"
Is there a way to tell which type of treatment will work best for you?
Numerous therapeutic philosophies and approaches exist, each with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. It is possible to obtain an extensive list of modalities as well as an overview of the most often used ones on Psychology Today's website. While some therapists are well-versed in a wide range of therapeutic approaches, others specialize in a narrow field. Before making an appointment, make sure to find out your therapist's preferred method and whether or not they feel it would be useful to you.
Both cognitive-behavioral therapy and psychodynamic psychotherapy are widely used (or PDT). A quick summary of what's going on:
Counseling for compulsive shopping, for example, focuses on identifying the negative, unrealistic views that underlie compulsive shopping tendencies (such as: "If I don't have these fantastic clothes, people won't like or respect me"). This can be accomplished by working together with the patient to replace their erroneous ideas with more accurate ones ("Actually, people will like me just as much if I don't buy these clothes"), leading to more effective coping mechanisms. You may be given worksheets or other projects by a Long Island therapist to help you keep track of your own thoughts and behaviors.
CBT has been found to be effective in treating PTSD and generalized anxiety in several trials, but critics believe that it doesn't address the root causes of such symptoms, which can lead to recurrences in the long run.
A psychodynamic approach may be more appropriate if your issues are more vague and/or widespread. Traditional treatment is more in line with what most people anticipate when they think of it What it means is travelling back in time to have a better understanding of your past so that you can avoid reliving the past in the present. A number of studies have shown that PDT is an excellent treatment for a variety of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and somatic disorders (when physical symptoms, like stomach aches, which are due to psychological stress rather than physiological illness). There is a lot of discussion and an openness to an exploratory method that is essential for the treatment to work.
When looking for a therapist on Long Island, where should you begin your search?
Getting a referral from another friend has been a common route for many of my friends to find therapists. However, you should think about whether your friend will feel comfortable telling you about her therapy if you ask her first. Additionally, some therapists are unable to treat patients who are close to them due to ethical or personal reasons. You can request a referral to a colleague from your therapist in any case. In the event that you cannot meet with a Long Island therapist in person, they may be able to connect you with someone who does. "Therapists often have amazing networks in their region," says another.
Consider the internet as well. Depending on where you live, you may be able to identify a local mental health organization that maintains a directory of qualified practitioners in your area. If you're hoping to be covered by insurance, you may also look in the database of your plan. Look up therapists' names in many directories (or just Google their name) to see whether they have an online presence with additional information, such as a personal website. However, it's important to bear in mind that not all therapists are well-represented on the internet. On the internet, many psychotherapists lack a strong presence. However, this does not imply that they are incompetent therapists in any way. Rather than implying incompetence, it might point to overworked therapists who lack the time to market themselves.
What is the insurance situation truly like?
Many therapists, however, do not accept insurance right away. When it comes to insurance companies, they're deemed "out of network." Even if you don't have health insurance, you may be able to get some of the costs covered. As one therapist puts it, "It's pretty tough for therapists to bill insurance companies these days," therefore many will offer you a receipt to submit to your insurance company and attempt for payment yourself.
Reimbursement procedures can be confusing at first (believe me, I've been there), but once you've sorted them out, they're not too difficult to deal with. If you have some time to spare, phoning the phone number on the back of your insurance card is the quickest method to go through the process. Your mental health benefits questions should be sent to someone who can help (some insurance companies have special representatives just for that). Make sure to enquire about the coverage they offer after enduring the wait music. When the insurance company agrees to pay some or all of your therapy fees, the next steps are simple: Upon completion of the necessary papers, you will be sent a check for the amount of your therapy expenses, along with an insurance claim form.
A clinical diagnosis from the therapist is required in order for insurance to cover therapy. A diagnosis must be documented in the patient's medical file and in your insurance company's billing system before you can use your insurance to pay for the therapy. It is possible that your therapist will offer you this diagnosis during your first or second session, which you should discuss with your therapist (you should also feel free to ask). Even though I was diagnosed with moderate depression and anxiety when I sought therapy for anorexia and post-traumatic stress disorder, I was given a more general diagnosis of moderate depression and anxiety because of my lack of specificity in my reasons for seeking help.
Before your first session, how should you prepare?
Contact the therapists on your shortlist by email or phone after you have a list. Please don't get discouraged if they are unable to accommodate your schedule or insurance; this is why you have backups. In the event that they are unable to satisfy your needs, they should recommend you to a therapist who can.
In addition to the logistics, call or email the therapist to learn more about their training and philosophy (appointment hours, location, charge). You want to know how the therapist feels about their work. Asking inquiries such, "Have you ever been to therapy?" is a good place to start. "What sparked your interest in becoming a therapist in the first place?" This will help provide the foundation for your therapy sessions and explain why you and your therapist are in the same room.
When interviewing therapists, enquire about their work with people in your demographic or community. The therapist's specialization in treating kids, for example, is something you'll want to know before scheduling an appointment. Please tell me whether you have any knowledge of the LGBTQ community."
A therapist who shares your gender identity, speaks Spanish, or comes from a similar cultural background is also ideal. Maintaining an open mind is still important, however. Your therapist can help you explore some of these requirements in a more flexible manner.
What is the best way to handle the issue of the therapist's fees?
Even while therapists are trained to handle such discussions, it might be difficult to find a therapist who is willing to accept your insurance plan. It's a good idea to know how much you'll be charged for your first appointment (some therapists don't charge for the first session, but the vast majority do). Keep in mind that you may always work with your therapist to find a solution that works for both of you. When it comes to therapy, you'll find that many therapists operate on a sliding scale.
The cost of therapy is substantial, so keep that in mind. It may be expensive — from $60 to $120 a session or more, depending on where you live — but the advantages should exceed the expenditures, especially over time.
Unlicensed interns can be hired as long as they're under the supervision of a licensed professional (emphasis is on the word "supervised," which means they should have the name of their supervisor, who should be licensed, so you can verify their credentials). Licensed interns must complete a certain number of hours of supervised clinical work in order to build their practice. Additionally, they can be effective clinicians.
During the first encounter, are there any red signals to be aware of?
When you go for your initial appointment, pay close attention to how you feel physically in the room. Is it a good temperature for you? Is the furniture comfortable for you to sit on? If so, what is it? Are there any distractions in the room, such as a computer screen, beeping, or a spider on the ceiling? Is the location secure and private? Talk to your therapist if you're still not sure. Even if these things aren't deal-breakers right away, try to be aware of your physical state and express how you're feeling at the moment.
A little jitteriness is normal, but try to share your feelings as quickly as possible ("I feel a little dizzy/my stomach is a little tight," etc.) Therapists are taught to hear and respond to what you're saying, even if it's unpleasant to do so. Because it gives them a way to help you, most people will be grateful for this information.
Ending a session with a profound sense of connection is essential. You have to have chemistry in order to have a relationship. While therapy might be difficult, it should never be a chore to see your therapist because you like spending time with him or her.
You should feel that your therapist is entirely there in the room with you during your session, according to a professional. Your therapist should only be multitasking if it's directly related to your treatment. It's a common occurrence for someone to fall asleep on top of you. There are occasions when your therapist's blunders may be a beneficial part of your relationship, though, says the therapist. If they do anything that bothers you, can you tell them about it? And can they come up with a non-defensive, boundary-preserving apology or response? We create trust through repairing and reconnecting with one other."
Exactly how can you determine if it's "working?"
"If you don't feel like you've made any progress after four to five sessions with someone, you should consider switching Long Island therapists," says one therapist. Defining progress is up to you; don't expect to be able to check boxes is unrealistic. No one can "cure" you, and neither can your therapist. Even the best therapists in the world can't change a person's growth trajectory. It is your duty to attempt to alter the course of the relationship.
If you reside in New York and are looking for a therapist, please feel free to contact:
Creative Sanctuary Psychotherapy & Art Therapy
37 Willoughby Path, East Northport, NY 11731
(631) 493-0933