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“I don’t have time” can be an easy rationalization when it feels like you have no time for yourself as it is. However, feeling like you are overwhelmed with obligations, pulled in too many directions, or stretched too thin are often indications that you are working against yourself in some way. You may be doing what you are doing for reasons you are not entirely aware of. People in this position often wait until they have hit a crisis to seek therapy – when it feels more like a necessity than a choice. However, coming in before a crisis hits leaves room for more options, which may result in fewer regrets.

Dr. Agree developed her concierge model with the “on call” option to meet the needs of individuals with significant time constraints through flexible scheduling and video conferencing sessions. Please visit the Rates and Insurance for more information on how she can help make therapy accessible to you.

For therapy to be effective, Dr. Agree believes you should experience at least three key elements:

• You should feel understood;
• You should feel that the content of your sessions is relevant to you and applicable to your life; and
• You should have some means of gauging your progress.

Although your experience in therapy will not be a consistent, linear process, at least one of these three factors should always be satisfied. If ever you feel that this is not the case, you should bring this to Dr. Agree’s attention, and she will address it immediately.

If you are feeling uncomfortable with the idea of going to therapy, Dr. Agree understands. She remembers her own experience many years ago, and never loses sight of how difficult these first encounters can be.

You will find that her easy-going nature and genuine personality will make your first visit a pleasant experience. But if you are “on the fence,” here are a few things to consider:

• Talking about your reluctance to come in can be incredibly relieving. You may be surprised at how much better you feel after discussing just these feelings in an honest way.
• If you are afraid of something you suspect would be beneficial to you, you are always better off pushing through it than giving in. Simple showing up to one appointment, even if you decide not to continue, can be a powerful show of strength to yourself.
• If you don’t like it, you are under no obligation to continue.

Read more about Your First Visit.

Many people who seek therapy with Dr. Agree are looking for real personality change. They wish to improve their subjective experience of themselves and/or their relationships. These individuals come about once a week (sometimes more) for several years. The average duration of therapy for these patients is about 5 years.

Other people come with a narrower range of issues, such as anxiety limited to a specific situation, or the death of a loved one. Those that are otherwise well-adjusted may be in therapy for 6 months to a year.

Dr. Agree does not suggest a duration of therapy because as you discuss and process feelings in one domain, new memories, more feelings, and different perspectives may emerge. How long you choose to stay in therapy truly depends on your own progress, how hard you wish to work, and how well you wish to know yourself.

Dr. Agree will not pressure you to remain in therapy for longer than you intend. She believes therapy involves developing the capacity to make independent, personal choices. She will discuss the issue with you as often as you would like, offer her opinions and the bases for them, but ultimately, it is a very personal decision.

There are certain risks you should be aware of before embarking on therapy. Being cognizant of them will not only help you determine whether therapy is right for you at this time, but also help you understand your emotional reactions during the course of treatment.

During therapy, you may experience emotional discomfort in the process of thinking about, and discussing, events and feelings that are unpleasant. You may notice this from the beginning when you are asked about your family and personal history for the first time. Considering these topics, together with memories that may surface, can stimulate strong feelings, such as fear, guilt, sadness, grief, and anger. As you progress in therapy, you may experience symptoms such as depressive or anxious feelings, changes in your eating and sleeping patterns, and other discomforts, as you work through difficult material.

This is a normal part of therapy, and should be expected. However, these experiences do tend to be temporary and dissipate over time as you talk about them, fully process their meaning, and discover new ways of managing your emotions. Moreover, there is never any pressure to discuss things you are not ready to talk about.

In addition to emotional changes, therapy can also lead to shifts in behaviors. You might outgrow relationships that at one time satisfied needs you no longer have – with partners, family, friends, and others. This process can be distressing. It can also be exciting, because while you may come to enjoy the company of fewer people in your original circle, you are likely to enjoy your own company, and that of different people, more.

Your interests may also evolve. You may feel less fearful of change and seek out new experiences, such as a new job, new home, different hobbies, or new career or life path.

There is always a level of uncertainty in change. It is likely that you will feel worse before you will feel better. It is possible that you will make no significant changes and that you will not get better. It is a serpentine path with no promises. However, you should weigh these risks against the risk of maintaining the path you are currently on. Unfortunately, long patterns of psychological distress do not substantially improve on their own.

Yes, there are alternative treatments to the therapy Dr. Agree provides. First, there are other types of therapy. Dr. Agree provides in-depth therapy for personality development, because she believes it is the most effective means of achieving a genuine, lasting sense of safety, security and strength.

There are many therapies that are short-term treatments aimed at specific symptoms. In fact, most other therapies are shorter-term, and more symptom-focused, than the type of therapy that Dr. Agree practices, largely because insurance companies prefer them. For example, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a popular type of therapy, favored by insurance companies, because it targets specific symptoms in a measurable way (eg: number of hours sleeping, exercising, socializing, etc., negative v. positive thoughts), and is generally a time-limited treatment.

Dr. Agree believes symptoms that are obvious to us are manifestations of deeper, more complex experiences. She finds that addressing not only the immediate symptoms, but also their meaning and genesis, creates the opportunity for greater substantive change.

In addition to other therapies, medication is also a form of treatment for psychological suffering. Studies have shown that medication alone is generally not very helpful. However, in conjunction with therapy, it has shown to be beneficial for some people. Dr. Agree does not prescribe medication, but is happy to refer you to a psychiatrist for an evaluation.

Feel free to contact her.