Common Questions

Answers to Your Questions About Therapy

                                                                                                       “Rest”                                                                              by Doug Cohen

Where do you conduct therapy?

I only offer in-person therapy which is held in my office in Washington, DC.  While virtual is convenient, it is simply not as effective as in-person for psychotherapy. Being able to see someone fully, make eye contact and be together in the same physical space increases connection between members of a couple or group and between therapist and patient.  In-person makes both spoken and non-verbal communication easier to read and understand. On the way to my office and in the waiting room, you also have the opportunity to get centered and think about what you need to work on in the session. In virtual therapy, people tend to jump onto the virtual call right after a meeting or another call so there is no time to get centered and think about what they need to work on in the session.

Is therapy right for me?

Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one’s life such as a becoming a parent, aging, divorce or work transition. Working in therapy can help provide insight, support, motivation and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general life transitions. I believe therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their life.

How can your therapy can also benefit your children and others important to you?

One of the wonderful benefits of therapy is that one person’s therapy can help generation after generation. A parent who learns to deal with their issues (anger, intimacy, etc.) will be a healthier model for their children. Those children will learn the good habits you have developed and they will pass along those good habits to their children. If your parents had worked in therapy on their issues, you would not need as much help as you do today. Working on your issues now will reduce the chance of your children from having to struggle with those issues in their lives. Not surprisingly, working on yourself will also have benefits for your partner, coworker or friends.

Is medication a substitute for therapy?

Medication is not a substitute for therapy but in some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. In those cases, I make a referral to a psychiatrist I respect who will meet with you and suggest medication options if he believes medication is a good choice for you. After meeting with you, he will call me to discuss possible medication options.  For some people, medication can help them get more out of their psychotherapy.  It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress.