Frequently Asked Questions

One-on-one therapy, also known as psychotherapy or talk therapy, is a type of treatment where a client works with a trained therapist to address issues in a safe, confidential environment. It can help people with a variety of challenges, such as: Alcohol or drug addiction, Stress, Bereavement, and Other life-related stressors.

One-on-one therapy can help break down barriers that interfere with mental and emotional well-being. The therapy process usually involves several stages, including: Relationship building, Problem assessment, Goal setting, Counseling intervention, and Evaluation, termination, or referral.

One-on-one therapy sessions can take place in person or on-line.

Group psychotherapy is an effective form of therapy in which a small number of people meet together under the guidance of a professionally trained therapist to help themselves and one another. There are many different approaches to group therapy but they share in common creating a safe, supportive, and cohesive space to address personal, relationship and societal issues.

While the specifics of each intensive outpatient program (IOP) differ, every IOP provides a highly structured treatment program that addresses substance use disorder (SUD) issues and relapse prevention for individuals who do not require medical detoxification or 24-hour supervision. Individuals participating in IOPs are able to maintain responsibilities at home, school, or work since they can return home or to a sober living environment at the end of each day.

Though they may involve the same or very similar therapeutic approaches as other levels of care for addiction treatment—such as individual and group therpy, medication (if necessary), behavioural therapies, psychoeducation, case management, and more—IOPs offer a higher level of intensity than standard outpatient programs but a lower level than inpatient rehab. Individuals may transition to an IOP from withdrawal management or inpatient programs, or they may begin treatment in an IOP.

While programs vary, IOPs generally require participants to attend treatment at least 9 hours per week, which is often delivered in 3, 3-hour sessions over a period of 8 weeks.

The common experience among members of a support group often means they have similar feelings, worries, everyday problems, treatment decisions or treatment side effects. Participating in a group provides you with an opportunity to be with people who are likely to have a common purpose and likely to understand one another.

Benefits of participating in a support group may include:

• Feeling less lonely, isolated or judged
• Reducing distress, depression, anxiety or fatigue
• Talking openly and honestly about your feelings
• Improving skills to cope with challenges
• Staying motivated to manage chronic conditions or stick to treatment plans
• Gaining a sense of empowerment, control or hope
• Improving understanding of a disease and your own experience with it
• Getting practical feedback about treatment options
• Learning about health, economic or social resources

A support group provides an opportunity for people to share personal experiences and feelings, coping strategies, or first-hand information about diseases or treatments.

For many people, a health-related support group may fill a gap between medical treatment and the need for emotional support. A person's relationship with doctor or other medical personnel may not provide adequate emotional support, and a person's family and friends may not understand the impact of a disease or treatment. A support group among people with shared experiences may function as a bridge between medical and emotional needs. These groups are provided free of charge, and can be used in conjunction with structured therapy sessions or groups.

Psychological assessment is the process of evaluating an individual’s mental health and behavioural functioning through the use of standardised tests, observations, and other methods. It is typically conducted by a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatric nurse practitioner, and is used to diagnose mental health conditions, determine appropriate treatment options, and measure progress in treatment.

Most broadly, psychological evaluation involves an objective manner in which one’s “psychological functioning” is assessed.

A psychiatric consultation is intended to establish a deeper understanding by both the physician and the patient as to what the patient’s condition is and the type of treatment plan that is required to meet the agreed upon mental health goals as set forth by the information gathered during the doctor and patient consultation.

Psychiatric treatment plans are meant to improve the patient’s quality of life through better social interactions, fewer emotional lows, and elevated physical health. Coping strategies, medications, and an open dialog between the Psychiatrist and the patient are the most common treatment procedures used in the pursuit of these mutual goals.

These vary on each client need, and [resenting issues. For CBT based approaches, these are traditionally undertaken over a period of 10 sessions, whereas someone who maybe undertaking deeper psychotherapy will require much longer. You therapist should always provide you with a collaborative treatment plan, so that you can see a pathway to where and what your treatment process will entail, this may well evolve overtime.

On almost every instance, therapy is absolutely confidential. You therapist is required to maintain confidentiality about everything said in sessions between the two of you, just like a doctor is required to keep your records private. While there are laws and regulations in place to protect your privacy, confidentiality is also a key part of Samarpan’s code of ethics. This means your therapist understands from the very beginning that in order for you to feel comfortable sharing openly with them, you need to know your information is safe.

For your own safety, there are some exceptions to the rule when it comes to confidentiality in therapy. Generally, these rules have to do with the well-being of the patient or people in the patient’s life.

For example, therapists are required to report if a patient is a threat to themselves or others. This may mean the patient has threatened suicide, is repeatedly harming themselves, or has threatened to harm another person. In this case, a therapist may recommend hospitalization so the patient can be monitored. Once the patient is deemed stable, the therapist may then work with close friends or family members to develop a support plan for the patient in order to maintain that sense of stability.

Additionally, therapists are also required to report cases of ongoing child abuse or neglect. In these cases, a variety of public servants may be brought into the fold, including law enforcement or child protective services. Again, this is a measure created to ensure the safety of a patient and it should not deter you from being open and honest about your situation with your therapist.