FAQ

What Is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy, also known as counseling or “talk” therapy, is an intentional processes in which trained professional enters a relationship with a client for the purpose of helping him or her in problems of living (mental illness, behavioral problems, emotional problems) and personal growth.

How long do I need to be in therapy?

The length of therapy differs for each individual and depends on many factors including the type and severity of the problem, the interest, motivation and commitment of the client. Sometimes brief interventions may be very helpful, other times longer work is needed for an in-depth exploration. Generally, I recommend coming for at least 6-8 sessions to see if a positive relationship, which will facilitate desired changes, has been created. After an initial relationship is formed, most clients are in treatment for at least four to six months and often for longer periods of time.

How is therapy different than talking to a good friend?

Therapists are trained to listen and focus in ways that are different from how a friend will hear you. A therapist’s function is simply to understand what you are stating in comparison to a friend whose motivations are often more complex and personal. The therapeutic relationship allows a deeper exploration of meaning and feelings. Knowing a session will end and begin at certain times, that all material is held strictly confidential, and that the therapist’s interests are only in the therapeutic process allow for a unique setting.

What is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and was developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro. EMDR can reduce the intensity of disturbing thoughts by having a direct effect on the way that the brain processes information. Traumatic events often become “frozen in time” and remembering the trauma can be as bad as when it happened. With successful EMDR therapy a client no longer relives the images, sounds, and feelings when the event is brought to mind. You still remember what happened, but it is not as upsetting. If you have further question you can call me at 415-255-2553 or visit EMDR International Association’s web site  www.emdria.org.

Is EMDR the right treatment for me?

EMDR was originally used for treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and is considered by American Psychiatric Association and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies as effective treatment. However, it can be successfully used in treatment of other conditions such as anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, compulsive behavior, self-esteem issues, sexual and/or physical abuse, complicated grief, stress reduction, and performance anxiety.

What is a session with you going to be like?

After initial contact we will set up an Intake session, where we will talk about why you decided to come to therapy and ways I can help you. I will ask you questions about your personal, family and medical history, and address any concerns you have.

Regular sessions might look like a focused and important conversation between two people sitting opposite each other in a tranquil environment. We will explore the issues you bring into therapy. I will listen and try to get good understanding of what you are saying and what you are experiencing. I might ask you questions and give you feedback. When appropriate I will introduce a technique or an exercise to clarify, explore, facilitate or deepen the process.

How is EMDR therapy different from a standard “talk” therapy?

EMDR therapy includes “talk” therapy and has the same setting and boundaries. The difference is that it follows EMDR protocol that is divided into eight phases.
First, I will ask you about the issue, your personal and family history, and we will identify a specific problem and create a treatment plan. In phase two, we are going to focus on your resources – ways that can help you to handle distressing thoughts, feelings and body sensations, and I will introduce the actual EMDR mechanics. Third phase is called the Assessment Phase, and we will identify the disturbing issue or event and your current thoughts and beliefs about it. Desensitization is the fourth phase in which I will use the Eye Movement or other dual attention stimulation of the brain. You will hold in your mind the disturbing event and I will facilitate a bilateral stimulation of the brain, you will be only noticing and reporting whatever comes to mind. Sets of bilateral stimulation are continued until the original memory is less disturbing and is associated with a positive belief about one’s self. In the fifth phase we will link the positive cognition with the residual of the disturbing event. The sixth phase is focused on bodily feelings and removing any negative body sensations that still might be present after reprocessing. The seventh phase is a formal closing of working on a specific issue, or of a session when the reprocessing was not completely finished. In the eighth phase we will re-evaluate our EMDR work and explore if there is other material we need to work on.
There are clients who come to me specifically for EMDR therapy, with some clients I use EMDR as an adjunctive to standard “talk therapy”, and with others we never use EMDR.

How often should I come to therapy?

Most clients come once a week. In the times when you need greater support or want to focus on an issue more deeply you can come more frequently. When you are away from San Francisco, we can skip a session or have a session over the phone.

How long are the sessions?

The sessions are fifty minutes long.

How do I get the most out of therapy?

Therapy is a good investment into your life and your future. To get the most out of it requires you to come to our weekly sessions and to be an active participant in the process. Speak about what is going on for you, how is the therapy and our relationship feeling for you, ask questions, and reflect on your experience. I can give you suggestions on how and what to focus on between our sessions, so you can get the most of our time together.

Are the sessions confidential?

Yes, the sessions are confidential. I cannot tell anyone that you are a client, or what we talk about in our sessions without your written consent.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule that we will talk about in our Intake session. Confidentiality will be broken if you let me know about a serious threat to another person, including yourself, if there is a suspicion or evidence of elderly abuse or neglect, if there is a suspicion or evidence of child abuse, if I was mandated by court to produce a copy of your file, and if you asked for insurance reimbursement.

What if I am in a crisis or there is an emergency?

If you are in a crisis or there is an emergency, immediately call 911.

Other emergency and hotline numbers:

• S.F. General Psychiatric Emergency: 415-821-8125
• Woman against rape 24 hour LINE:  415-647-7273
• Suicide prevention and crisis hotline: 415-781-0500
• Talk Line for Kids:  415-441-5437
• Friendship Line for Elderly:  415-752-3400
• Youth Line:  1-800-943-5200
• Abortion Help Line:  1-866-439-4253

Veronika Gold-Charalambous #MFTi 60689 under supervision of Sam Markewich #MFC 39836