Psychotherapy Services
Why Psychotherapy?
Do you find yourself in the same painful situations time and time again? Do you seem to choose the same “type” of partner only to find yourself in a pattern of unproductive and unsatisfying relationships? Has your past been riddled with rejection and disappointment and left you wondering if you can ever be happy? You may ask yourself questions like, “How can I get a grip on this anxiety?” “Why do I always feel like this?” “Why do I keep acting like this?” or “Will I ever be able to move past this horrible thing that happened to me?” These are questions many of us face. It’s part of being human. Psychotherapy, or “talk therapy,” is a form of treatment that addresses these types of concerns and many more. By talking through these issues over time, patients are able to make sense of and “untangle” their thoughts and emotions, laying the groundwork for new patterns of behavior to emerge.
Through the process of psychotherapy, we gain insight into our motivational patterns and reactions and thus develop a sense of power over our lives rather than being controlled by the impact of our past experiences and relationships. Because everybody comes to therapy with different needs and levels of comfortability, Dr. Megan Rotondo allows the patient to set the pace and guide the course of treatment. Therapy is an investment in your future, your quality of life and your most treasured relationships. Patients often report that therapy has helped them to build stronger attachments, become less afraid in pursuing their goals and has closed the gap between what they envisioned for their life and the life they are actually living. They report a greater level of self-knowledge and, most importantly, a greater level of self-acceptance.
What is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a collaborative process that takes place between a patient and therapist in which there is an interchange of listening and talking between both parties. In psychotherapy, a patient talks about their thoughts and emotional struggles in the presence of a psychologist, a trained and professional listener. Being able to speak your mind freely and truly being heard and understood by another person provides the strength to endure the painful realities of life. Oftentimes, many people in our lives may serve this function, but a psychologist is much different from a friend or family member for several reasons. Most importantly, a therapist-patient relationship is “privileged,” which means that in-therapy disclosures remain private and are kept confidential. Also, because the therapist does not have any other type of relationship with the patient, they are able to remain neutral and help the patient see things from a fresh perspective without the interference of their own emotions and motives.
The focus and types of interventions used in psychotherapy vary across theoretical orientations and can range from a more fluid approach to more structured, didactic sessions depending on the patient’s needs and preferences. Regardless of a therapist’s primary therapeutic approach, research has consistently supported the idea that a warm, trusting relationship between a patient and therapist is an essential component to effective treatment. Dr. Megan Rotondo strives to create a safe haven for her patients as establishing a place of emotional safety is a foundational aspect of any treatment. By maintaining a nonjudgmental and empathic stance, patients are able to build trust and feel comfortable talking about their thoughts, feelings, and reactions as they arise during session. While the patient ultimately decides the length of psychotherapy, it can last from months to several years depending on patient goals and characteristics, as well as the specific issues being addressed.