If you’re like most kids, you’re at least a little unsure about how therapy can help. There are lots of different ways therapy may help you. This will answer some of your questions about what it will be like to work with Dr. Wellborn. It tells you some things about how therapy can help, what to expect when you meet with Dr. Wellborn, and the ways he’ll be able to help.
Who Needs Therapy?!
Most of the time, people figure out on their own what to do about difficult situations and then do something about it. Sometimes, though, things can happen that are too big or complicated to deal with on your own. Therapy is one way to get help figuring out what’s going wrong and what you can do about it.
What good is a shrink?
When things go wrong and people need help, they usually talk with someone they trust to get support, ideas, or specific ways to deal with problems. But, what do you do when the people you know are too close to the situation to really help? What if it’s too difficult or uncomfortable to talk about your problem or concerns with the people you trust? What if they don’t really know how to help?
Dr. Wellborn knows how to help you when things get tough. He has a lot of experience helping kids solve problems that seem difficult and even hopeless. He can also help you solve problems you’re having with the people you usually rely on for help like your family, teachers, or friends. All of this is kept private and personal.
How does this work?
Dr. Wellborn will help in a couple of different ways. He will focus on helping you figure out strategies, plans, and what you can do to make things better. (This is called Cognitive/Behavioral Therapy.) He’s like a consultant who knows lots of different ways to solve problems. He will also help you see the possibilities for how things can change for the better. When you have personal goals, Dr. Wellborn will meet with you individually. This is a time when you can focus on what is important to you. Usually, he may also want to meet with your whole family. Families can often use some help learning how to get better at listening to each other, arguing, and settling conflicts. If the goals for therapy are family goals, family meetings may even be the only way you meet with Dr. Wellborn.
Where do we start?
Dr. Wellborn usually meets with your whole family for the first meeting. He tells you a little about himself and talks about your rights and what you can expect from therapy. He will also want to learn a little about you and your family. Then, he will try to get a clear idea about what everyone wants to get out of therapy. During this meeting, your job will be to decide whether it will be worth meeting individually with Dr. Wellborn. Before you decide, you’ll need to make sure you feel comfortable talking with him. You’ll also need to decide whether he seems to know enough to actually help. By the end of the first session, some important therapy goals will be agreed on. These will be things you want to change, problems you want to solve, or decisions you need to make. Future sessions will be focused on working toward achieving these goals.
If, after you meet with Dr. Wellborn you decide he is not the right therapist for you, he do his best to help you find someone to meet with who you feel more comfortable with. He wants to get you the help you need even if he can’t be that person for you.
How do I know Dr. Wellborn won’t tell what we talk about?
Psychotherapy is confidential and private. By law, everything you discuss stays between you and Dr. Wellborn. He doesn’t tell your parents, teachers, friends, or anyone else.
Unless
Some important limitations to confidentiality are related to safety. Dr. Wellborn will get people in to help if he is concerned you might try to kill yourself, kill someone else, or if you have been abused or neglected. Everything else will remain confidential and private.
What if I want to talk about my sex life?
Your sexual behavior is a very personal decision. Dr. Wellborn would keep any discussion of your sex life confidential and private, like anything else you talk about with him
BUT
In Colorado, it is illegal to have sex (any sexual behavior between people using or touching sexual organs) if a child is:
- 14 years old or younger and having sex with someone who is 4 or more years older
- 15-16 years old and having sex with someone who is 10 or more years older
Dr. Wellborn is required to report this kind of sexual behavior (known as statutory rape) to the police.
Do I get pills?
Not from Dr. Wellborn. He is not a medical doctor. There are lots of psychological problems that can be improved by medication. Dr. Wellborn will work closely with your physician to coordinate any medical needs.