Do I really need therapy?  I can usually handle my problems.

Generally speaking, if your psychological distress is interfering with your personal relationships, your work life and/or your daily functioning, psychotherapy would likely be of benefit to you.   If you are going through an unexpected change in your life such as a divorce, family crisis or work transition or if you just wish to pursue your own personal growth and exploration, psychotherapy can help.  Working with a psychologist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.
 

How can therapy help me?

A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief and stress management. Many people also find that psychologists can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn.

What is therapy like?

Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals.  It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around forty-five to fifty minutes. It is standard for therapists to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives.

Is medication a substitute for therapy?

There are a number of clinical conditions in which a combination of medication and psychotherapy is more effective than either medication or psychotherapy alone.  That being said, psychotherapy addresses the psychological, social and interpersonal causes of our distress and the behavior patterns that inhibit our progress.  You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness which may include consultation with a psychiatrist for a medication evaluation. 

Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?

I am a network provider for a number of insurance companies and do accept insurance payments.   To determine if you have mental health coverage, the first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage carefully and determine the answers to the following questions:    

• Is Dr. Glueck in my insurance network?  If not, do I have out-of-network coverage?
• How much is my copay?
• How many therapy sessions per year does my plan cover?
• How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
• Is approval required from my primary care physician?

Is therapy confidential?

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.  However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:

• Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.
• If a client intends to harm himself or herself the therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.