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Benefits of Therapy

There are many potential benefits of therapy.

Having a counselor who is truly present with you can make it easier to talk about and process painful emotions, thoughts, and situations.  When people have processed painful thoughts and emotions, they have more options for responding to situations.

There are many paths to healing.  One benefit of working with a therapist is that you are not alone on the journey.  Regardless of whether or not you decide to see a counselor, I encourage you to find supportive people that you can talk with, as having that support makes a big difference in the healing process.

Neurobiology (or the study of the mind and brain) has begun to give us explanations for why therapy works and how therapy might be helping our brains heal and grow.  One explanation is that processing our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors begins to create more integration in the brain, which leads to more resilience and health.  The connection with a compassionate, caring therapist, as well as feeling seen and understood, also seems to benefit brain development.

Why Talk to a Therapist Instead of a Friend?
Friends are important too.  For some issues, talking to supportive friends is all that is needed.  Other times, therapy is more helpful.

A benefit of working with a therapist is that therapists are hopefully objective and unbiased, which is not always the case with friends and family members.  I have often been told by clients that it is a relief to talk with me about confusing issues since I am able to listen well and help them explore what they feel and think, instead of telling them what they should do.  So often, our friends and family members try to be ‘helpful’ and tell us what they think we should do without truly being able to listen to our concerns.

Of course, therapists also have been trained to help people make changes and heal.  I use techniques that I think are very compassionate and effective in helping people make the changes that they want in their lives and heal from past difficulties.

Also, therapy is confidential.  Sometimes having that confidentiality is necessary to feel comfortable enough to talk about an issue.  (If an issue is too difficult to talk about or if you would prefer to maintain your privacy, some therapy techniques require very little talking.)

Everyone Can Heal
I strongly believe that everyone can heal and grow.  Sometimes in the middle of painful situations, people can lose hope of the situations ever improving.  There is hope, even if the situation feels hopeless.  Although it can be painful, a crisis can be an opening to greater growth and healing.  Sometimes, a crisis can be the motivation that we need to make certain changes in our lives.

704 Soquel Ave., Suite C
Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Please visit my home page for more information about me.  (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, MFC40414)

I offer a free phone consultation to give you a chance to ask questions, better understand how I work, and decide if we are a good fit.

To schedule an appointment or ask questions, you can call me at (831) 419-2019 or email me at stacy@stacyoleary.com.

704 Soquel Ave., Suite C, Santa Cruz, CA 95062  ~  (831) 419-2019  ~  stacy@stacyoleary.com

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© Stacy O’Leary 2004-2011

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Therapy and counseling in Santa Cruz, serving Soquel, Aptos, Capitola, Watsonville, Scotts Valley, and Santa Cruz / Santa Clara / Monterey Counties.  Helping children, teenagers, and adults with depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma, grief, and self-esteem.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.