FAQ Could therapy help me? Questions by members with answers by 7cups Online Therapists
These are questions where members are wondering if therapy might help them with what they are struggling with.
The 7cups online Therapy FAQ and articles about online therapy is here https://help.7cups.com/hc/en-us/categories/360001799094-Online-Therapy
Member: Do you provide mental health support?
Therapist Serene Sarah George reply
Of course yes! That is what we primarily do! We do have paid one-to-one online therapy services by a team of professionally trained therapists.
Besides therapy, 7cups also has a pool of volunteer listeners who can lend you an ear and also a wide variety of support forums and groups where you can join in.
Member: How do I stop my overthinking and not let it consume me?
Therapist Parvathy reply:
One of the most important ways to gain control of your thoughts is to recognize that you are overthinking or ruminating. Sometimes it can help to just say to yourself- 'I'm overthinking. Journaling and keeping track of your repetitive thoughts can help you to manage them better. Journaling is also a great way to process and let go of your thoughts. Mindfulness and meditation can help you to get more in touch with reality. Do try out the mindfulness exercises and guided meditation exercises on 7 cups. In a therapeutic setting, a mental health practitioner can help you to cope with anxiety and embrace uncertainty. A therapist can help you with skills of problem-solving and be confident about decision making. So seeking therapy can be a good way to relieve the anxiety that comes with overthinking.
For more info and bio on Parvathy click here.
Member: Why do we have a lot of whys? Can we answer our own whys?
Therapist Lisa Groesz reply
It is human nature to be curious. Sometimes the whys can lead into “buts.” I would do this “but.” I encourage you to answer your own whys and, if there are buts, to kick those buts and change them to “ands.” I would do this “and” I am in pain. Or I will do this “and” I am sad. (Lisa Groesz)
Member: Can 7cups bill Medicare for the therapy as I have no other way to pay for it?
Therapist Lisa De Regt, Director of Clinical Operations
Hi there!
Thank you for your question. You would need to ask Medicare directly if you can bill for 7 Cups online therapy and we would be happy to assist!
Member: I was wondering if you accept any form of health insurance when asking about online therapy. I understand that it costs $150 dollars a month. Also, is there any payment plan you do?
Therapist: Lisa De Regt, Director of Clinical Operations reply
Thank you for your question! It's best that you ask your health insurance provider if they'll cover the cost of 7 Cups online therapy. It is $150 USD per month and unfortunately we do not have a payment plan option.
For more info and bio about Lisa Click Here
Member: What are the possible reasons for me to cringe internally every time I talk to someone, be it someone close or not? How can I stop or reduce that from happening?
Therapist Lisa Groesz reply
I’m struck that you use the word “internally.” We are not responsible for our thoughts or emotions, only how we act on them. Letting go of guilt around the cringing may help. I’m also interested in your thoughts around the conversation. The Cognitive Behavior Therapy model argues that it is our interpretation that drives emotions and behaviors. Are you assuming rejection? Is there self-judgment or other-judgment? That can influence your body reactions: psychologically and physiologically. Taking some slow deep breaths is one tool to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, putting the breaks on any stress response and coming to a more balanced interpretation.
Member: I have completed several DBT modules and have been in therapy(emdr) and feel I have "worn out" my coping mechanisms and distractions. I understand the "ebb and flow" of needing to sit with my emotions and learn from my depression but feel lost/gone & realize I need to do more problem solving however do not know how. So I guess my question is what is the first step to changing my self sabotaging behaviors to start making changes in my life for the better instead of going down the same path of feeling like I am nothing and being depressed and ending up accomplishing nothing because of this?
Therapist Lisa Groesz reply
You have the coping tools. You have processed through distressing memories with EMDR. I recommend considering the Acceptance and Commitment Based Value Compass to aid in problem solving. It helps you hone in on your values in various domains. ACT posits that each day is broken up into a series of choice points and you can decide to go in the direction of your values or away from your values.
Therapist Graham Barrone
I agree with Lisa. Its often the way that we find something that works well for us and then we feel better and when we feel better we dont pay as much attention to the skills we learned before. Routines are crucial elements to wellbeing. Staying on top of the skills we have learned and staying practiced in them is a better way to ensure calm, confidence and competency as and when we really need those skills.
I would also suggest reminding yourself of why it is important for you to keep on keeping on with your practice. Being able to access your motivation will give you strength and determination when it seems like those two things are in short supply.
Member: I have deep emotional scars from childhood and adult trauma. I suffer with severe untreated depression and anxiety too. Will I ever lead a normal life after decades of this and emotional, physical, mental, sexual and financial abuse?
Therapist Parvathy reply:
Yes, it is possible to heal from the trauma that you have suffered from. It is never too late to seek help. Psychotherapy can help you to grieve, cope and recover from the experiences that you have had.
For more info and bio on Parvathy click here.
Member: How can you get over PTSD?
Therapist Parvathy reply:
PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which may have resulted from the stress of a life-threatening trauma takes time to ease. Treatment of PTSD isn't about forgetting a trauma or feeling as if it never happened, The goal is to eliminate or reduce its ability to disrupt your life. A mental health practitioner can help you to process the trauma effectively. Hence it is very important to seek professional help. Gradual exposure to the triggers along with anxiety management techniques can help to manage the symptoms. Mindfulness and meditation have also been found to be effective on PTSD symptoms. Physical activities such as exercise or dance have been found to have positive effects on mood. Medication can also help, depending on the severity of the symptoms.
For more info and bio on Parvathy click here.
Member: I've tried therapy before and it really went sideways. I've got lots of reasons not to trust anyone and i'm not sure i can/should/want try again.
Therapist Parvathy reply:
I'm so sorry that you had such a bad experience with therapy. Such an experience can indeed break your trust and lift your faith off the treatment. However, there are so many researches that prove the effectiveness of psychotherapy. We are all vulnerable human beings and sometimes, we need professional help to get us back to good health. One way to see if your therapist is a good fit would be to ask a lot of questions right at the beginning. You can ask your therapist about their therapeutic style, their experience with similar problems or discuss any questions you have about therapy. You can even talk about your bad experience and discuss your expectations from the sessions. Asking your therapist for a treatment plan and getting details about what they plan to do in your time together, the skills you will be learning, and the goals that you will be setting together can be extremely beneficial.
For more info and bio on Parvathy click here.