FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

How do I go about making an appointment?

There are various ways for you to contact me to arrange an initial appointment: These are either by phoning me on my cell phone – 082 485 9371; or contacting me on my office line 021 789 0279; you could also e-mail- info@romeyrussell.co.za or contact me by leaving your details on my website and I will get back to you within 24 hours to arrange an initial consultation at a mutually agreed upon time.

How long is the initial consultation and what can I expect?

In individual therapy the session is an hour and is usually weekly. We will explore what the salient issues are that are causing distress or discomfort and /or the challenges that you are facing (information gathering); explore what it is that you are needing and decide upon mutually defined treatment plan and goals if you feel comfortable in working with me.

It is also an opportunity for you to see whether you feel comfortable working collaboratively with me in a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship. The initial session will include elaboration about therapeutic expectations and contracting clearly defined therapeutic parameters.

Taking into account your treatment needs and goals, as well as practical concerns (such as time and finances), we will collaborate to develop a treatment plan that works for you.

I have offices both in Wynberg as well as in Noordhoek.

How long will it take?

This is a difficult question to answer but I do believe in the resources that people have as well as I do not create dependence in my therapeutic relationships with clients. The length of treatment will vary from individual to individual depending on the nature of the problem, the motivation of the client, the complexity of the client’s needs and the resources available. Initially some clients in crisis need biweekly sessions. The length of treatment would be something that I would collaboratively decide with the person seeking help.

What benefits can I expect from therapy?

By listening to you sharing your history/herstory of your struggles, trauma’s and challenges that you have faced in your journey thus far, I become a witness to your testimony and in so doing, your ‘story’ becomes a reality for you. This is often a painful process, facing your reality but a courageous one.

In individual therapy the benefits are:

• A safe, non-judgemental supportive space;
• A new perspective and insights about self, relationships and challenges;
• Balance, direction and freedom from self-defeating behaviours;
• A strengthened sense of identity and freedom to make choices in your life;
• A renewed sense of hope and freedom to be your authentic self in spite of…people, places and things;
• Hopefully you will experience change through ‘life-changing conversations and dialogue’.
• If you have any further questions or are curious about my approach refer to the ‘Therapeutic services’ on my website.

How are the fees structured?

Individual consultations are 60 minutes per session. Please contact me to discuss my fee structure. I run a cash practice so cash payments are made at the end of each session. You can then claim back from your medical aid. The account remains the your responsibility.

Do you work with adolescents /teenagers?

I am experienced and enjoy working with the varied and various challenges that adolescents face. I enable the teenager (as well as the family), in my understanding of what teenagers go through, turn conflict into connection and facilitate the development of a deeper understanding of themselves as well as one another.

I also do short term assessments and therapy for adolescents who are engaging in substance abuse.

I have worked with teenagers experiencing behavioural problems, suffering from eating disorders, self-mutilation, anxiety, depression, ADHD and obsessive-compulsive disorders.

I also offer family members- parents and siblings, supportive psychotherapy and psycho-education.

What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is a term used to describe the process of treating psychological disorders and emotional distress through the use of psychological techniques. These designed to encourage communication of conflicts and insight into problems, with the goal being relief of symptoms, changes in behaviour leading to improved functioning, and personality growth.

Depending on the approach of the therapist, a wide range of techniques and strategies can be used, for example, rational emotive therapy, group psychotherapy, cognitive behavioual therapy etc. All types of psychotherapy involve developing a psychotherapeutic relationship, communicating and creating a dialogue and working to overcome problematic thoughts (cognitions) and behaviours.

FAQ About Addiction:

Please take a look at the Addiction pages on my web page in order to get an understanding of addiction and what I offer in terms of addiction related assessments and help.

How do I know if I am addicted?

Sometimes an addiction is difficult to recognise in the early phases of the downward spiral. As the addiction progresses the affects of the ‘loss of control’ are no longer concealable. That is, changes occur that alert you and others that there is a serious problem. The severity and chronicity of the problem differs from individual to individual.

Things to look out for include:

• Problems/consequences/unmanageability at home, school or work;
• Problems/consequences/unmanageability in the various relationships at home school or work;
• Behavioural changes/consequences that have a negative effect on self and others;
• Emotional changes/consequences such as mood lability, irritability, anger, depression, isolation and anxiety;
• Financial problems as a result of the addiction;
• Legal problems/consequences.

I want to stop my addiction. But why can’t is to?

Addiction crosses a fine line that shifts the individual from having the choice to use to that of loss of control and therefore, loss of choice. When first using a mood or mind altering substance or participating in a potentially addictive behaviour/event there is a belief that they are able to control their behaviour and that they will not become addicted. But for some people the pleasurable and positive feelings that are caused by the mood or mind altering substance or event prove to be more powerful than expected. A symptom of the ever increasing addictive process is that of denial which shifts or distorts the person’s perception of reality, to justify there ever increasing loss of control and damaging consequences to self and others. It also prolongs the time it takes to get the help that is needed.

A few people manage to stop using alone, but invariably need support as well as a comprehensive treatment plan that address emotional, physical, social, financial and occupational aspects of addiction.

Does addiction have a cure?

Although there is no known cure for addiction, it is a highly treatable disease/condition. Thousands of people have found recovery and live qualitative lives free of addiction.

What should I do if I am an addict?

I would recommend that you seek help as soon as possible. You could certainly contact me and I could offer an assessment and make a  recommendation of the treatment options that you are needing and are available to you. If I am not the right person for you I am very willing to find you the help that you do need. You could also contact your general practitioner. I do believe that by the time the addict gets help, that there is a deep sense of “knowing” that they are ‘out of control’.

There are also 12 Step support groups that you could attend. Take a look at ‘support structures’ on my webpage. The question to ask yourself is “why would you do this alone, if you can do it with support?” Do not let SHAME get in the way of you asking for help.

Someone I care about is addicted. What can I do?

Addiction affects not only the addict but every aspect of the addict’s existence, which includes their relationship – with family members, work colleagues, finances, physical health etc. I would recommend that you seek help to get the process started. Often family members unwittingly enable the addict to continue their addiction and are co-dependently interacting in their relationship with the addicted person. You could certainly make an appointment to see me. I have worked extensively with family members and co-dependence.

What are the risk factors for addiction?

There are many factors predisposing a person to become addicted and this exact question has been researched for decades. Some risk factors for addiction include:

• Genetic predisposition – intergenerational family history of addiction;
• Dysfunctional family environment;
• Marginalised individuals experiencing a lack of belonging
• Those struggling with identity confusion;
• Limited life opportunities and circumstances;
• Feelings of emptiness or difficulty dealing with negative feelings.

Is cannabis (weed or dope) a gateway drug?

Everyone who starts using cannabis (or any other drug for that matter) starts for various reasons – curiosity, to be ‘part of’ a peer group, thinking that it is fun or actually wanting to escape. So there is initial experimentation, and they do not know if they are going to become recreational users or with time become addicted. By the time that they become addicts, their usage and the dire consequences thereof is out of control and they are helpless to manage and control what was in the beginning ‘fun’.