Do You or Your Family Need a Therapist?

We have produced a partial list of situations that have proven time and again to respond well to therapy. We are not saying that everyone with these conditions needs or would absolutely benefit from counseling. But we believe you might consider individual or family psychotherapy after you visit a professional and your situation is diagnosed. A therapist may be able to help if you

Feel stressed, depressed, or hopeless.

Are unhappy with your marriage or primary relationship.

Are going through separation or divorce.

Need help with your child's behavioral, emotional or school problems.

Need help communicating with or caring for an elder parent.

Have eating, sleeping, or sexual problems.

Have panic or claustrophobic attacks.

Are involved in an abusive relationship.

Have a life threatening illness such as cancer or AIDS

Have debilitating fear, anger or guilt.

Are concerned about alcohol or drug use.

Experience profound mood swings.

Experience flashbacks.

Think of suicide.

Experience loneliness and isolation.

Have an overwhelming fear or worry.

Have fears about your own death or the death of a loved one.

Feel like you're wasting your life.

Behave in self-destructive ways.

Feel deep dissatisfaction with your job.

Have persistent conflicts with co-workers.

Wonder about the direction and meaning of your life.

Are often sick or have chronic health problems (headaches, stomach, back pain, M.S., etc.).

Are undergoing divorce or separation.

Have survived a trauma, accident, or are in crisis.

Have unexplained fatigue or lack of motivation.

Experience severe emotional stress or anxiety.

Show problems with inappropriate behavior.

Have persistent feelings of loneliness or isolation.

Are disturbed about your sexual functioning or activities.

Have unusual eating patterns.

Have experienced a major injury or illness in the past.

Feel your alcohol or drug use has become "abuse."

Your family thinks you have an alcohol or drug problem .