STEWART HOCKENBERRY, Ph.D. Psychologist * Philadelphia

WHY SEE A THERAPIST?

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The Benefits of Psychotherapy

Who can benefit from psychotherapy? Anyone who struggles with difficult change, those stuck in old, unproductive patterns in relationships, work, or self-satisfaction, and those confronted with loss. Psychotherapy is recommended when we are attempting to make sense of patterns in living that are no longer serving us well, when we fall short of fully utilizing our potential, creativity, and freedom, and, of course, when we are in emotional pain. Often fulfillment of our potentials has been blocked by depression, various kinds of anxiety, self-doubts, past traumas and fears of future traumas.

Nearly EVERYONE can benefit from psychotherapy at one point or another in one's life. While many of us take satisfaction in being self-reliant, there are areas of our life involving fears, conflicts, attitudes, and habits that are only clarified though an intensive relationship with someone who can listen, respond, and, most importantly, reflect a deeper insight into our life in ways that friends or family are not equipped.

Psychotherapy, however, is not simply about insight but primarily about reconciling emotional conflicts that hold us back and cause suffering in ways that we may often have "insight" but not yet the capacity to change. The psychotherapy relationship is one where emotional conflicts are experienced and explored in a way that they can be better mastered. In the course of psychotherapy, greater confidence emerges about what is important to us and in our abilities to pursue these priorities.

Like everything of value, psychotherapy can be at times hard emotional work that requires dedication and perseverence. But the rewards are liberating and life-changing.

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Stewart Hockenberry, Ph.D. * 255 South 17th Street, Suite 1909* Philadelphia, PA* USA * 19103