WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "THERAPY" and "COUNSELING"? We have come to think of "counseling" as being more like coaching. For example, if a parent is always yelling at his/her child, taking a parenting class might offer some effective discipline techniques to deal with the issue. This is much like counseling. Sometimes, that is all that is needed. If, after learning the new techniques, the parent is still yelling ..., then it is a deeper issue and would require therapy. Therapy is not about learning new ways to do something. It is more about helping a person deal with his/her emotional reactivity. Such "reactivity roadblocks to personal growth" are usually a product of our early childhood experiences. Old beliefs and perceptions may need to be explored before we can expect positive change.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED THERAPY? Everyone has problems that they could work on with a therapist. The important question for you to ask yourself is "How well is my life working for me as it is?" If your personal "quirks" are not damaging your ability to live a satisfying life, then you probably do not need to start therapy. You deserve to have meaningful relationships, a satisfying career path, and a general sense of well-being about your life experience. If you feel you do not have these things, you may want to consider exploring what therapy might offer you. Check the scroll-down menu at the top of this page to find self-evaluation tools on specific issues, including the following: relationships, depression, codependency, anger, self-esteem, and parenting. AREN'T THERE MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF THERAPY? Yes. Here at the Center in Danville, we use several approaches to help clients reach their personal goals. The type of therapy employed depends upon a variety of factors, including the following: (1) the specific goal, (2) the urgency, (3) the client's ability and willingness to explore difficult topics, (4) the client's willingness to make behavioral changes, (5) the client's level of functioning and intellectual capacity, and (6) the presenting issue.  We have generally found that most clients benefit from using a variety of theraputic interventions, including: cognitive, behavior modification, family-system restructuring, inner-child work, hypnotherapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR ). This last technique works extremely rapidly. More information about this and other topics can be found by using the drop-down menu above. HOW DOES THERAPY WORK? It works differently depending upon the type of therapy being used. In general, therapy involves creating a "safe-place" to explore life issues. In all other interactions, the person you are with has their own agenda and needs that may hinder the free flow of ideas and feelings. In the therapist office, an environment of trust is extablished that encourages learning and change.  At the Danville Center we have seen people of all ages make amazing life-affirming changes. For example, one 53 year old man, who thought he was born with a "short-fuse" (which had gotten him into many unpleasant situations), discovered a new way to percieve and evaluate hostile situations. He found out that he actually had a choice about the way he would deal with frustrating problems.  HOW WILL I KNOW IF I HAVE COMPLETED THERAPY? This is an excellent question. At the Center, we work with each client to set specific goals for treatment. These are agreed upon during the initial sessions, and a time frame to achieve them is established. The specifics are obviously different for each client. It is important that you, the client, feel comfortable with the goals set, and the time frame agreed upon. That way, when it is time to end theapy, you will know!	Starting therapy can be scary. We promise be here to support you in reaching your personal goals. _____________________________ "Most of the difficulties a man encounters in life can be traced to his inability to sit peacefully in a room by himself."         -Pascal
HOW MUCH IS STRESS IMPACTING YOUR LIFE? In the past year, which of the following has happened? 1. Death of a spouse.................................................... 100 _____ 2. Divorce.................................................................... 73 _____ 3. Marital separation................................................... 65 _____ 4. Death of close family member................................ 63 _____ 5. Personal injury or serious illness............................ 53 _____ 6. Marriage................................................................ 47 _____ 7. Loss of job / fired.................................................. 47 _____ 8. Change in family member's health......................... 44 _____ 9. Pregnancy.............................................................. 40 _____ 10. Sex difficulties...................................................... 39 _____ 11. Addition to family................................................. 39 _____ 12. Major change in work situation............................. 39 _____ 13. Change in financial status ( up or down ).............. 38 _____ 14. Death of close friend............................................ 37 _____ 15. New mortgage or loan over $50,000.................... 31 _____ 16. Foreclosure of mortgage...................................... 30 _____ 17. Son/daughter leaving home................................. 29 _____ 18. Difficulties with in-laws....................................... 29 _____ 19. Spouse begins working....................................... 26 _____ 20. Starting/finishing school/educational program... 26 _____ 21. Change in living situation/moving...................... 25 _____ 22. Difficulties with boss/employer........................... 23 _____ 23. Change in work hours/assignment...................... 20 _____ 24. Change in recreational habits/new hobby............ 19 _____ 25. Change in church/religous institution.................. 19 _____ 26. New mortgage under $50,000............................. 18 _____ 27. Change in sleeping habits.................................... 16 _____ 28. Change in eating habits/weight........................... 15 _____ 29. No away-from-home vacation of 4 days or more... 12 _____ 30. Having a mortgage on your home......................... 10 _____ 31. Minor violation of law (tickets, etc.)........................ 10 _____ 32. Having children...................................................... 8 _____ Total : ____________ Scores of 100 to 200 and above are linked to stress related health problems. (from HOLMES-RAHE STRESS TEST data) _________ If your score is high, perhaps you would benefit from discussing this with us at the Center. We can teach you self-soothing and relaxation techniques that have been shown to reduce tension and help people manage stress.	WHICH WAY DO I GO ?! WHICH WAY TO I GO ?! When Alice was lost and seeking help to find the right path, she was given this sage advice by the caterpillar: "If you want to know which path to take, you must first know where you want to end-up." ________________________________________ ________________________________________                ABOUT SETTING PERSONAL GOALS  -              A part of successful living involves learning how to set personal goals. It has been said that the most important thing about GOALS is to have them. Studies show that successful people tend to have a life-habit of setting personal goals. Many of us learned to feel deep shame when, at an early age in our life, we failed to meet certain goals. We may have established a habit of avoiding the pain of defeat by giving up our goals. Such a habit may have served a purpose earlier in our life. It may be time to re-evaluate the benefit that setting personal goals can have. At the Center, we help clients explore their life-values. We can then establish meaningful personal goals. Perhaps it is the right time for you to begin this journey? AREAS TO CONSIDER (listed alphabetically): We can help you set specific personal goals in any and all of the areas listed below. Career Community Service Education Family Financial Personal growth: MEN ( Web-resources for men at : http://rickbelden.com/references ) Personal growth: WOMEN Physical well-being & health Relationships Spiritual growth Once a clear goal is set, you are much more likely to have success in achieving it.
CONFIDENTIALITY :                      The Center of Creative Living adheres to a strict policy of CONFIDENTIALITY for all clients. A written Policy Statement, explaining this and other policies at the Center, will be given to you during your initial sessions.                                    FEE:                                Our fees for service are in the normal range for counseling in this area. We ask that we be paid at time of service. We DO NOT take insurance, but you may be reimbursed by your insurance. All or part of your therapy may be covered. This depends upon the coverage you have. Check with your insurance provider. All of our policies will be explained during your initial sessions. Please let us know if your situation requires special consideration.                PHONE  CONSULTATIONS:	Setting Life Goals: If you wish to begin the process of exploring your personal life goals, you may want to download the "Goals and Positive Habits..." form. Simply click on the underlined words below to download the document. (Remember, it will be important for you to give yourself all the time you need to complete this personal-growth form.) Download     GOALS AND POSITIVE HABITS...
WHY NOT TALK WITH US BY PHONE? PHONE CONSULTATIONS ARE AN EASY WAY TO PROBLEM SOLVE.  Please give us a call at 925-855-1745 if you would like to discuss your particular issue. We are here to help. Seeking therapy support outside the Bay Area? Click on the link below to find a counselor or therapist almost anywhere in the United States.	"Life is no brief candle. It is, rather, sort of a splendid torch... make it burn as brightly as possible!" - George Bernard Shaw Center for Creative Living 199 East Linda Mesa, Suite 4 Danville, California 94526 Phone: (925) 855-1745 Fax: (925) 829-9426 email: 4creativeliving@sbcglobal.net ________________________________________________ Serving Alamo, Concord, Dublin, Danville, Lafayette, Pleasanton, Pleasant Hill, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County and the entire Bay Area since 1994