Self-help versus therapy: Which is right for me?

With so many self-help books and curricula available, why should you pay for therapy? I'm going to point out the differences, and the places where each thing can be useful. 

Self-help books abound at the library and at used bookstores. They have varying usefulness, but a good cognitive behavioral therapy or dialectical behavior therapy book can be a great way to learn some basic skills. The books usually come with worksheets and are written for the layperson. 

If you're highly motivated, you can get a lot from these materials. You'll need to work on your skills every day, and you'll probably have some questions that you'll want to search on the internet. For people who are having a hard time finding a place in their schedule for therapy sessions, and whose symptoms are mild, I often recommend something like this between sessions. 

Therapy is different. While we'll work on some of the same skills between sessions, and we'll talk about them in the office, I will also be helping you to connect the events and feelings in your life so that you can better understand what's holding you back from your goals. An outside observer can often see your story more clearly, and I've been trained to notice the patterns and connections in human behavior. 

I will be there to answer any of the questions you have and the guide you to master the skills you learn, and to address the day-to-day challenges in your life. Some days, you may just need to tell someone what's happening in your life and get some neutral feedback. One of the questions I often answer for people is, "Is this normal?" I can help you examine your options in a given situation, and I also help people who want to rehearse a difficult conversation. 

If you are looking for the insight and personal attention that a therapist can provide, use the contact form on the website to get in touch with me!