Month: <span>April 2023</span>

Therapy Anxiety • benefits of telehealth • cognitive behavior therapy • depression • evidenced based treatments • Individual • reasons people terminate therapy • reasons people terminate therapy too early • Therapy • Treatment April 3, 2023 By Dan Powell, M.A., MFT, BCBA 0 Comments

Reasons why people leave therapy too early.

There are many reasons why people may leave therapy prematurely. Here are 20 possible reasons:

1. Lack of progress: If a patient doesn’t feel like they are making progress or seeing results, they may be inclined to quit.
2. Time commitment: Therapy requires a significant time commitment, and patients may not be willing or able to commit to attending sessions regularly.
3. Financial constraints: Therapy can be expensive, and patients may not be able to afford it long-term.
4. Stigma: There may be a social stigma surrounding therapy, and patients may feel embarrassed or ashamed to continue.
5. Lack of rapport: Patients may not feel a strong connection or sense of trust with their therapist, which can hinder progress.
6. Fear of change: Making significant changes in one’s life can be scary and overwhelming, leading patients to quit therapy.
7. Feeling judged: If a patient feels like their therapist is judging them, they may not feel comfortable continuing.
8. Difficulty opening up: Some patients may have a hard time opening up and sharing their thoughts and feelings with their therapist.
9. Life events: Life events such as a move, a new job, or a breakup may disrupt therapy and lead to a client quitting.
10. Discomfort with vulnerability: Being vulnerable in therapy can be uncomfortable for some patients, causing them to quit.
11. Resistance to feedback: Patients may be resistant to hearing feedback or suggestions from their therapist.
12. Lack of motivation: Patients may not feel motivated to continue with therapy, especially if they don’t see the value in it.
13. Unrealistic expectations: Patients may have unrealistic expectations for what therapy can accomplish and may quit when those expectations are not met.
14. Conflict with the therapist: patients may have disagreements or conflicts with their therapist that lead to quitting.
15. Lack of belief in therapy: Some patients may not believe that therapy can help them and may quit as a result.
16. Feeling overwhelmed: The process of therapy can be emotionally taxing and overwhelming, leading patients to quit.
17. Inconvenient scheduling: Scheduling therapy sessions can be difficult for some patients, and conflicts may lead to quitting.
18. Fear of dependence: patients may fear becoming dependent on their therapist or therapy and may quit as a result.
19. Limited availability of therapists: In some areas, it can be challenging to find a therapist with availability, leading patients to quit due to frustration.
20. Limited resources: Patients may not have access to the resources they need to continue with therapy, such as transportation or childcare.

It’s important that you talk to your therapist before terminating therapy. Some of the greatest gains in therapy can be made by speaking up and discussing these feelings with your therapist.

I look forward to helping you.

Dan Powell, MA., MFT, BCBA

Uncategorized April 1, 2023 By Dan Powell, M.A., MFT, BCBA 0 Comments

Benefits of Existential Psychotherapy

Existential psychotherapy is a type of therapy that focuses on helping individuals find meaning and purpose in their lives. This approach is based on the idea that life is inherently meaningless, and that it is up to each individual to create their own sense of purpose.

Existential psychotherapy can be helpful for individuals who are struggling with issues related to meaning and purpose, such as feeling lost, empty, or disconnected from their values and goals. Through this type of therapy, individuals can explore their deepest beliefs and values, and gain a deeper understanding of what gives their life meaning.

Some common techniques used in existential psychotherapy include helping individuals to identify their values and priorities, exploring their fears and anxieties, and encouraging them to take responsibility for their own lives. The therapist may also use various forms of creative expression, such as art or journaling, to help individuals explore their thoughts and feelings.

Below are some common benefits from existential psychotherapy.

Greater self-awareness: Existential psychotherapy encourages individuals to explore their deepest beliefs, values, and priorities. This process can lead to a greater understanding of oneself and one’s place in the world.
Increased personal responsibility: By emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility, existential psychotherapy can help individuals take charge of their lives and make positive changes.
Improved decision-making: Through the exploration of values and priorities, individuals can become more confident in their decision-making abilities.
Enhanced coping skills: Existential psychotherapy can help individuals develop new coping skills to deal with life’s challenges and difficulties.
Increased resilience: By helping individuals to develop a stronger sense of purpose and direction, existential psychotherapy can help them to become more resilient in the face of adversity.
Greater emotional awareness: Through the exploration of one’s emotions, individuals can become more aware of their feelings and learn to regulate them in a healthy way.
Improved relationships: By encouraging individuals to explore their values and priorities, existential psychotherapy can help them to develop more meaningful and fulfilling relationships.
Greater sense of meaning and purpose: Existential psychotherapy can help individuals to find a greater sense of meaning and purpose in their lives, which can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment.
Increased creativity: By encouraging individuals to explore their thoughts and feelings through various forms of creative expression, existential psychotherapy can help to unlock new sources of creativity.
Overall well-being: By helping individuals to become more self-aware, resilient, and purposeful, existential psychotherapy can contribute to overall feelings of well-being and satisfaction with life.

Overall, existential psychotherapy can be a powerful tool for individuals who are seeking to find greater meaning and purpose in their lives. It can help individuals to become more aware of their values and priorities, and to develop a stronger sense of purpose and direction.

woman in nature with hands outstretched having a beautiful fresh morning

Uncategorized Anxiety • cognitive behavior therapy • depression • evidenced based treatments • Individual • Therapy • Treatment April 1, 2023 By Dan Powell, M.A., MFT, BCBA 0 Comments

Evidenced Based Treatments for Depression

There are several evidence-based treatments for depression, including:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This is a type of talk therapy that helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to depression.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): This is a form of therapy that focuses on improving communication and relationships with others, which can help reduce symptoms of depression.
Behavioral Activation (BA): This involves increasing engagement in positive activities, such as hobbies or socializing, to help individuals overcome feelings of hopelessness and low motivation.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT): This combines elements of CBT with mindfulness techniques to help individuals develop skills for managing negative thoughts and emotions.
Problem-Solving Therapy (PST): This involves teaching individuals how to identify and solve problems that contribute to their depression.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): This focuses on developing psychological flexibility and acceptance of difficult emotions, rather than trying to eliminate them.
Psychodynamic Therapy: This type of therapy explores the unconscious and past experiences to help individuals gain insight into the underlying causes of their depression.

It is important to note that different individuals may respond better to different treatments, and a combination of approaches may be necessary for some individuals. Additionally, medication may also be used in combination with therapy for the treatment of depression.

Call today to schedule a consultation visit. Appointments remote via Zoom for your Call today to schedule a consultation visit. Remote appointments via Zoom for your convenience. I look forward to helping you!