f.a.q
frequently asked questions
What can I expect with my first visit with Dr. Hershman?
During the first (and sometimes the second) session, Dr. Hershman will take a history of the problem as well as a developmental and family history as it relates to the problem.
How long will therapy take?
The length of therapy varies on the particular problem. Some issues are quite discrete, i.e. a simple phobia such as a fear of flying. Others are intertwined with a person's personality, such as lack of motivation or reluctance to do the things one needs to do.
How confidential are sessions?
Adults (over the age of 18) have complete confidentiality and no information can be released without signed consent. For younger adolescents, there is no legal right to confidentiality, but the degree to which sessions remain confidential is individually determined with the support of the teen's parent(s)
I tried therapy before and it didn't work, should I try it again?
Yes. If you are still suffering or otherwise troubled by something in your behavior/mood/emotions or in your relationships with others, it is surely worth trying therapy again. Finding a therapist you can work with is complex. You should feel that the match is good. Some people know this immediately, while others take longer to determine it. It is usually best to give the therapist a few sessions (maybe 4) for you to know whether you can work well together.
I think I'm depressed, where should I start?
If you are depressed or experiencing feelings of depression that hinder your day-to-day activities, the first step should be to contact a therapist, set an appointment and get started talking about it. A therapist is trained to assess the degree of depression and the degree to which it is interfering in your life. He/she may also encourage you to consult a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner to add some medication to your treatment.
What happens in family therapy?
In family therapy, either the whole family or a combination of family members comes in together. The focus is not individual functioning but the functioning of the family as a unit.
What is trauma?
Trauma is the experience of an event or ongoing situation, which surpasses an individual's ability to integrate his/her experience and emotions. It can be experienced as a threat to life, a threat to the patient's body or the patient's sanity.