Bradley Sears

1200 W. SHERWIN AVE. • CHICAGO, IL, 60626 • 847-250-2326

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F.A.Q.

F.A.Q.

Q:  WHAT IS COUNSELING?

A:  Counseling, or talk therapy, is a structured, active process that helps people develop insight into themselves and create change in their lives. Regularly schedule sessions are usually 45-50 minutes in length, and may be conducted with individuals, couples, groups, or families. The process is confidential, which helps to create a safe atmosphere to explore or share intimate, personal feelings, thoughts, and experiences.

Q:  WHY DO PEOPLE SEEK COUNSELING?

A:  People can seek counseling for a number of reasons. There may be a change in social support and key relationships such as bereavement, breakups, and divorce. Sometimes one is experiencing difficulty coping with a recent or long-term crisis. Other examples include feeling overwhelmed by anxiety or depression, a sense of emptiness, abusing drugs or alcohol, feeling stuck in one’s career, contemplating making a major change in life, or a desire to lead a healthier lifestyle.

Q:  WHO BENEFITS FROM THERAPY?

A:  Psychotherapy may benefit anyone with an interest in learning and improving something about their ways of acting in the world and in relationships. People often come to the process because they feel stuck in their capacity to be successful in some area of life: in their important relationships, in their success at work, or some inner state that has become problematic for them.

Q: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THERAPY?

A:  A good therapist will help you to: find new ways to cope with stress, anxiety, anger, depression, and other emotional difficulties; improve your communications skills by becoming a better listener and having others listen to you; get “unstuck” from past relationships and family issues; improve your self-esteem and boost your self-confidence; increase your ability to love yourself and love others for more enriching relationships and a greater capacity for respect, compassion, and joy.

Q:  WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE FIRST FEW SESSIONS?

A:  This is an opportunity for us to meet, for you to ask questions, and to discuss your current dilemma. We will try to clarify your concerns, understand the impact of your personal history, and then collaborate on ways to heal, grow, and what achieving your goals would look like. I am very flexible and encourage you to ask questions, at the beginning as well as later, about what I’m thinking, why, or whatever may be on your mind.

Q:  HOW LONG WILL THERAPY LAST?

A:  The length of treatment depends on how much change an individual is seeking.  Some people have a specific situation which they would like some professional guidance and insight, and don’t want to do more than “tweak” the problem or gain some insights.  Brief psychotherapy or consultation may take 5-7 sessions over a couple of months.

If the individual’s situation warrants it, longer-term or intensive psychotherapy may be recommended.  This can take many more months.  Consistency of structure is an important part of the process, so often, weekly visits are recommended.  This process is often recommended for those who realize that their life leaves them dissatisfied in some key aspect, such as their primary relationships, at work and home, and would like to undertake to get to the bottom of it.

Q: DO YOU ACCEPT INSURANCE?

A:  Yes, I am currently an in-network provider with Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Anthem, Optum, and UMR.

Q:  WHAT WILL BE MY RESPONSIBILITY?

A:   Simply a willingness to be candid and honest with your thoughts and feelings. Therapy  requires concentration, energy, and commitment by both parties.

Wellness

Living to 100: What’s the secret?

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Book recommendations

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Mindfulness

Suffering? Try Meditation.

He who binds to himself a joy, Does the winged life destroy, He who kisses the joy as it … [Continue reading...]

Book recommendations

"The Enlightened Mind" and "The Enlightened Heart," by Stephen Mitchell.  Authentic spirituality, … [Continue reading...]

Integrating Mindfulness Into Everyday Life

Meditation In Action: 5 Tips For Integrating Mindfulness Into Everyday Life, By … [Continue reading...]

Psychology

Bowen Family Systems Theory

Murray Bowen, M.D., based his theory of the human family on biology and evolutionary theory.  … [Continue reading...]

Humanistic-Existential therapy

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Example of positive psychology

The scientific study of happiness is referred to as positive psychology. Traditionally, clinical … [Continue reading...]

Self-Help

You Are What You Think

What Are Cognitive Distortions? Which came first: the chicken or the egg? Which came first: the … [Continue reading...]

Book recommendations

"The Enlightened Mind" and "The Enlightened Heart," by Stephen Mitchell.  Authentic spirituality, … [Continue reading...]

Clinical Issues

One-Two Punch: A diagnosis of depression & anxiety can leave a guy feeling less than manly

One-Two Punch Guys diagnosed with both depression and anxiety take a double blow to their … [Continue reading...]

Anger Management

Do you have an anger management problem? Many people do and may not even realize it. That’s because … [Continue reading...]

Anxiety Disorders

What’s anxiety? Normal anxiety is that nervous feeling stressful situations produce. But for some … [Continue reading...]

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1200 W. SHERWIN AVE. • CHICAGO, IL, 60626 • 847-250-2326

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