Counseling
Women
CYNTHIA LUFT, M.A.
Certified Jungian Analyst
NYC
(212) 254-3950
&
Westchester
(914) 524-9488
Whether therapy works and under what conditions is an important question to ask as you consider beginning a therapeutic process. The neurotic figure in a Woody Allen films depicts the character in therapy that does nothing to change his obsessively neurotic traits. Woody Allen has become an iconic figure, a stereotype of the person in therapy that goes nowhere and resolves nothing. While this may be funny to watch in a comedic film, in the real life of a real person, this would be very unfortunate and tragic.
A review of research that answers the question
“Does Therapy Work ?”
This question was measured
in terms of improved social functioning, relief from anxiety, reductions in
depression, and in just about every other way that improvement and effectiveness
can be defined.
1.)
Consumer Reports magazine in cooperation with
Martin E.P. Seligman from the
“The Effectiveness of Psychotherapy”
Conclusion
of this Research:
Consumer Reports Consumer
Reports gave psychological health care a solid endorsement, and noted that
treatment by more highly qualified therapists - such as psychologists and professionals with advanced training - was
more likely to produce benefits.
2.) U.S. Surgeon General: "Mental disorders are treatable ... the
evidence for treatment being effective is overwhelming ... the inescapable
point is that studies demonstrate conclusively that treatment is effective."
3.) Kaiser Permanente: thirty
year study of 10,000 Kaiser patients.
4). Rand Corporation: studies on health insurance use.
·
Stress
contributes significantly to accidents at work.
·
Stress
reduces productivity.
·
Problems
related to stress lead to over-use of sick time and absenteeism.
·
Problems
related to stress will increased medical costs.
·
Employee
Assistance Plans have become standard features in employee benefit packages.
Mental health treatment is
one of the very best ways that