Many years ago, when health insurance companies still paid for everything, psychotherapy was very popular. In fact, it was a status symbol. People could spend years trying to understand their childhoods and the motivation behind some of their behaviors. My clients of today want answers. And they want new skills. Small wonder that psychotherapy is yesterday’s news.

Today people want solutions

Brief, solution-focused therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy, are what my clients seek. They want to feel better quickly, and they want to know how to help themselves without having to come into my office every time life throws them a curve ball. Long-term psychotherapy is a thing of the past.

I still have many clients who prefer to touch base with themselves every week, but today’s therapy is focused on today and tomorrow. Fewer and fewer people are interested in reliving the past unless their history is to blame for regrettable choices they continue to make. These days, my weekly clients want to process their lives. They want a personal secret keeper to safely bang their ideas around. So few are interested in analysis that Freud would need anti-depressants – and coping skills.

Psychotherapy is too expensive

Coverage for good mental health care is getting more and more skimpy. Insurance companies cover about a third of my fee. I know because my office processes every claim for every one of my clients. In that way, I am still old school! But as I see it, my job is to get my clients off my couch as soon as possible, armed with a new understanding of themselves and a suitcase-full of learned skills. Besides, some of the best therapy I can suggest for my couples is to take my fee and go out for a lovely date instead.

Psychotherapy takes too long

Thirty years ago, many clients had therapy twice a week. And it was for an hour, whether you liked it or not. If I have an extra few minutes free for a client, I am more than happy to continue moving forward in order to save time, and expense. Many of my clients work and it is incredibly difficult to find the time, the sitters, and the stamina to slog to another therapy session week after week. I know their pressures, so therapy with me really has to be useful and effective.

Tune-ups

Most clients come in for tune-ups every three months, once their big work is done. It’s a gentle reminder that we all have to take care of ourselves, as well as our relationships. My clients know that I am only a phone call away when things get tough. I’m glad the old kind of psychotherapy is a thing of the past. I’d rather my client be out living their lives today, and planning for their tomorrows, instead of talking about their yesterdays.

So come in and sort out a few things. And then be on your way. You’re busy! Call me at 203-226-8800.