Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
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How can I know if I really need psychotherapy or psychoanalysis
or if I just need to talk to someone for a couple of sessions?
One of the goals of the first few sessions you’ll have with a therapist is to clarify your needs. As you hear yourself talk about what’s bothering you you’ll often become clearer about what is necessary. Sometimes when the problem is limited in scope a few sessions are all that’s required to clear things up. Other times, though, you and your therapist may decide that more intensive work would be beneficial.
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Isn’t psychoanalysis totally out of fashion?
Indeed, the psychoanalysis practiced by Sigmund Freud in his native Vienna has changed over the last 100 years. Many of the things Freud believed in have fallen out of favor. But psychoanalysts have kept on studying the way the mind works, in an attempt to understand and alleviate human suffering. We have revised many of Freud’s theories, but we still believe, as he did, that there are mental processes of which we are unconscious. Becoming aware of them can help us make happier, more creative, and more productive.
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Do you take insurance?
My services are reimbursable through your insurance plan. However, I do not bill the insurance company directly. I do not currently participate in any insurance panels as an in-network provider or do any managed care work. By remaining out of network I am better able to protect your confidentiality, since I have no direct relationship with the insurance company.
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Is what I say confidential?
Yes, confidentiality is a cornerstone of psychoanalytic treatment. You must be able to reveal your thoughts and feelings to your therapist or analyst without fear. Nonetheless, certain legal restrictions may limit your confidentiality. For example, in the case of child custody fights psychotherapy records may be subpoenaed. These are unusual cases, however. You should check with your therapist if you have any concerns in this area.
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How does psychotherapy work anyway?
We don’t really know exactly how psychotherapy works, but we do know that it does work. In the mix of speaking of your problems to a nonjudgmental person, putting your concerns into words, and getting a different point of view from your therapist, something happens. You begin to feel better about yourself, and to see yourself and your problems in a different way. You begin to feel more hopeful.
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Now that medication is available for depression and anxiety, why would I want psychotherapy?
It’s true that symptoms of anxiety and depression occur in the brain, and that medication can sometimes be quite useful at that level. But medication alone will not transform the way we think about ourselves and those we care about . To address those issues, which frequently stem from loss or disruptions in our dealings with others, we often need the help of another person, who will help us explore the feelings that come up in ongoing relationships. Indeed, research shows that for severe depression best results are achieved with a combination of medication and psychotherapy.
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What about therapy in a foreign language?
If English is not your first language you may want to seek out someone fluent in your native tongue. Some people believe it’s easier to get close to the original experience in your native language.
I see people for therapy in French. There are psychotherapists who conduct therapy in a great variety of languages in the Washington area. Part of the referral process is helping you find a therapist with whom you can work in the language you’re most comfortable.