Chicago Relationship Counseling – What Is Psychotherapy?
Chicago Relationship Counseling – What Is Psychotherapy?
Chicago Relationship Counseling
By: Robert J. Smith, LCSW
241 Golf Mil Center, Suite 708
Niles, IL 60714
Ph. (847) 824-8366
Email.  [email protected]
I view therapy as a partnership between myself and those coming in to see me for treatment. How therapy is implemented is different for each person coming in to see me.  Everyone has their own needs and views about their concerns. Treatment and approaches used are tailored to your needs. I make every effort to listen to people in order to understand their views of their life situation, and to validate their concerns and feelings. I strive to instill hope about the present and the future in a realistic manner. I encourage people to look at alternative ways to view their life issues. Some people want education about managing stress and pain. Others want help with how to think differently about their issues. And, still other people have difficulty with their spiritual beliefs and concerns and may wish to address existential life issues. Some people are flooded with emotion and negative thoughts and wish to learn how to better manage and cope. Some learn through changing behaviors, and others benefit from gaining insight into their problems. Therapy is often focused in the present and what people are thinking and feeling in the here and now. There may also be a need to discuss the past and how it affects the present. I believe that we can only change in the present with a specific awareness of ourselves, and therefore, what we do now will lead us towards reaching our goals. There are discussions about peoples’ views and perceptions for the reasons they are coming to therapy. Some people come in with specific problem issues that they wish to resolve in a short period of time. This therapy is brief in nature or called short term therapy usually lasting 1-20 visits. Goals and timeframes are established to work towards, so that therapy has a known ending. Assignments, tasks, and readings may be suggested as a means of working towards goals. When the goals are met, the therapy is complete unless a discussion occurs about working on additional problems and goals. Some of these problems may be with family, marriage, or other relationships, specific work related problems, feeling stuck in patterns of problematic thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, divorce and other life transitional issues. Some people come in to therapy for treatment and support of longer term problems. These people need ongoing assistance because of the significance of their problems. These problems may be related to having mental health problems of loss of meaning and purpose in life, depression and other mood disorders, anxiety, stress and panic attacks, post-traumatic stress, schizophrenia, suicidal ideation, low self-esteem and self-confidence, complicated grief and loss, or a history of abuse, and addiction. Others, contact me regarding having medical problems, such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, neurological conditions, pre or post-surgical matters, various forms of arthritis, and pain, etc. These problems may often interfere with daily functioning.
Confidentiality
Therapy must be confidential for patients to trust and feel safe. In most instances, that means that what is discussed is kept in the office between patients and therapist. There are important things to consider when in therapy. If you use insurance, personal information may be requested in order for payments to be made. You can decide not to use insurance and pay directly for your own services.  Courts can order records pertaining to child and elder abuse, child custody matters, and other legal matters.  Information must be divulged to health care professionals or law enforcement when necessary for patients who are suicidal, homicidal, or are unable to care for themselves.
You are generally protected under HIPAA Federal Rules and Laws in the State of Illinois. Information is released to referral sources, physicians and others only with your written consent.  I prefer to work with primary care physicians, psychiatrists, and other health care specialists when providing treatment so that all providers are working in cooperation and in the best interests of the patients involved.
Contact Robert now at Chicago Relationship Counseling to schedule your appointment. Come in together or come in alone. You can be on the way to healing and building hope in your relationship.
Email:  [email protected] or Ph. (847) 824-8366.
