Long Island Therapist

How Does Therapy Help?

There are things in life that we cannot change. However, we can learn how we process life, as well as how these variables impact our daily life and our emotional stability. We can learn how to address these events, chronic situations through emotional relearning and implementing coping skills to make them manageable and, perhaps, no longer destructive. There are behaviors that we have learned that all-too-often make situations worse or prolong them. The first step forward in therapy is to understand that change is necessary and professional help is available.

In psychotherapy, we work together to understand the beginnings of beliefs and coping mechanisms. Many of these go back to early childhood and are related to the bond between a mother and child. How a young child’s sense of the world and their place in it develops is a major determinant in how the world is seen and dealt with for the rest of one’s life. Learning how your family interacted and your place in those interactions are very important. This can connect quickly with family therapy. These dynamics typically drive how you interact with people today, your expectations, and your responses. The goal of psychotherapy is to rediscover those early experiences and the beliefs that evolved from them. What we needed or wished to have learned as a child can still be learned as an adult by working with a therapist. Therapy also facilitates a journey of self-discovery, where clients explore their emotions and develop insights for personal growth.

Benefits of Seeking Therapy

Seeking therapy can have numerous benefits for individuals struggling with mental health issues, self-esteem issues, or simply looking to improve their emotional health. Through therapy, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of themselves, develop coping strategies, and work towards achieving their personal goals. Therapy can also provide a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to express themselves and work through challenging emotions. By seeking therapy, individuals can experience improved relationships with family members, increased self-awareness, and enhanced overall well-being.

Types of Therapy

There are various types of therapy available, each with its unique approach and techniques. Some common types of therapy include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This type of therapy focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. It helps individuals identify and challenge distorted thinking, ultimately leading to healthier emotional responses and behaviors.

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Combining cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness strategies, DBT helps individuals manage emotions and behaviors. It is particularly effective for those struggling with intense emotions and relationship issues.

• Group Therapy: In this setting, a group of individuals works together to achieve common goals. Group therapy provides a supportive environment where participants can share experiences, gain insights, and learn from each other.

• In-Person Therapy: This traditional form of therapy takes place in a physical location, allowing for face-to-face interaction between the therapist and client. In-person therapy can foster a strong therapeutic relationship and provide a more personal touch.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a type of therapy that combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness and acceptance-based strategies. Developed by Marsha Linehan, DBT is designed to help individuals manage emotions, behaviors, and relationships. Through DBT, individuals can learn skills such as emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT is often used to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder, but it can also be effective for individuals struggling with other mental health issues.

Who Comes to Mental Health Counselors for Help?

Although experienced mental health professionals such as Dr. Schaefer work with adults and children across a wide cross-section of challenges, most people can benefit from psychotherapy. Many therapy clients have successful business and professional lives, but find it difficult to develop and maintain lasting and meaningful relationships. They find it difficult to identify their feelings, to express these feelings in words, and very often to modulate how they impact on their behaviors.

A diverse range of therapeutic techniques is available, including traditional methods like talk therapy and structured approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT).

In these situations, the patient and therapist work together to discover issues in the person’s early life. These can include coping mechanisms that worked great at age five, not so well at age twelve, and not at all in adulthood. Sometimes a person has been so focused on material success that they simply have never had the opportunity to develop interpersonal and emotional skills nurturing of successful intimate relationships. But, these skills can be learned, practiced, and improved upon for a better personal environment. The key is to work with an experienced therapist to define the issues involved, identify the contributing causes, and move forward to workable solutions in present-day life.

What Are the Personal Goals of Therapy?

You may consult a therapist with particular problems in mind, such as depression. And, you may discover that the problems or issues were different, or more complex, or even simpler than you believed. The first goal in psychotherapy is to discover the truth. This is both the truth as you have seen it for years and the truth as experienced by others.

The old saying that the truth will set you free really does apply to psychotherapy and other forms of mental health therapy. The more you understand yourself, your emotions, your beliefs, and your methods of dealing with life, the better equipped you are to live a happy, content, and successful life. The goals you set will come from your understanding of yourself as that understanding emerges during therapy, and family therapy.

As such, the goals of psychotherapy may evolve over time. It is the job of the therapist, with years of experience, to keep the fact-finding and goal-setting on track. The point of good psychotherapy is to arrive at solutions that improve the quality of a person’s life. This is what you will discover when working with a Long Island therapist such as Dr. Schaefer.

Finding the Right Therapist

Finding the right therapist can be a daunting task, but there are several steps you can take to ensure you find a therapist who is a good fit for you. Here are some tips:

• Research: Research different types of therapy and therapists in your area. Look for therapists who specialize in the issues you are struggling with.

• Referrals: Ask for referrals from friends, family members, or healthcare professionals. Personal recommendations can be invaluable in finding a trustworthy therapist.

• Credentials: Make sure the therapist you choose is licensed and has the necessary credentials. Verification of their qualifications ensures you are in capable hands.

• Insurance: Check if the therapist accepts your insurance plan. This can help manage the cost of therapy and make it more accessible.

How to Find a Therapist on Long Island

If you are looking for a therapist on Long Island, there are several resources you can use to find one. Here are some steps you can take:

• Online Directories: Use online directories such as Psychology Today or GoodTherapy to find therapists in your area. These platforms allow you to filter by location, specialty, and insurance.

• Professional Organizations: Contact professional organizations such as the American Psychological Association or the National Association of Social Workers to find therapists in your area. These organizations often have directories of qualified professionals.

• Word of Mouth: Ask for referrals from friends, family members, or healthcare professionals. Personal recommendations can lead you to trusted therapists.

• Insurance: Check with your insurance provider to see if they have a list of in-network therapists in your area. This can simplify the process of finding a therapist who accepts your insurance.

By following these steps, you can find a therapist who meets your needs and supports your journey towards better mental health.

How Long Does Mental Health Therapy Last?

Mental health treatment, such as psychotherapy, is meant to help us with life’s difficulties. Many patients experience some relief in a relatively short time. They learn key insights that they can put to work with relative ease. Other patients have more complicated issues that require time to uncover and explore. 

Some may have deep-seated issues that require time to uncover. The frequency of therapy visits is generally weekly with additional sessions scheduled based on mutual agreement. In Dr. Schaefer’s psychotherapy practice the treatment is always consistent in its approach and focus on what is therapeutic for the individual, but of course if needed, family therapy.

There are many Long Island therapists, but not many that give you multiple decades of experience.  Dr. Schaefer’s office is in Manhasset and very close to Northern Blvd.  Neighboring Long Island towns are Great Neck, Roslyn, and Port Washington.  If you are in need of a therapist and NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in family therapy, relationship problems, anxiety disorders, and other mental health issues please contact Dr. Schaefer.