Benefits of Life Therapy with Me

Mark W. Neville, MDiv

Since August I've participated in many local business networking groups. I also sponsored a local conference.

I've met many wonderful people at these events and engaged in thought-provoking conversations. Those conversations helped think about and articulate seven benefits of engaging in Life Therapy with me.

Here's the latest version. Heart-felt thanks to everyone who talked with me about Life Therapy and helped me identify these seven benefits!

Even more thanks to my clients who teach me so much in our sessions together!

Benefits of Having Me as Your Life Therapist

1.     Time: You do not wait. We meet at our scheduled time. I do not limit our sessions to 7 minutes (average length of physician visit) or 50 minutes (standard length of psychotherapy sessions). I spend 60 to 90 minuteswith you listening and asking questions about what is going on with you and your life, caring for you, and making sure I hear and understand what you’re telling me.

2.     You and Your Whole Life: I do not restrict my clinical assessment to one dimension of your life—physical vs mental health problems, personal vs professional, individual vs relationships, etc. Since the challenges you face affect you and every dimension of your life, together we attend to your whole life.

3.     Description, no Diagnosis: I do not diagnose you with a mental disorder and attach an ICD 10 code to your name that becomes a part of your permanent medical record. Rather than diagnosing, I work with you to accurately describethe challenges you’re dealing with in your life right now.

4.     Circumstances of Life, not Symptoms: I do not treat symptoms. Your symptoms are not the problem. They are your friends. Stress, pain, depression, anxiety, grief, shame, guilt, relationship problems, and unhappiness are usually, not always, but usually appropriate, normal, natural, healthy responses to the circumstances of your life. They are not primarily medical or mental health problems. Your symptoms are alarms indicating that serious difficulties are challenging your life. Together we attend to your life and circumstances, help you heal, gain insight, and identify how to get to a better place in life. I help encourage, equip, and empower you to make your way that better place. 

5.     Your Primary Health Care Provider: I am not your primary healthcare provider. You are. It’s your health. It’s your life. You are responsible for your life and health. I don’t tell you what to do and expect you to follow my orders. I educate you, explore options, and help you make informed decisions about what you’re going to do to heal and make your way to a better place in life. 

6.     Customized Care, not Conformity to a Protocol: I do not make recommendations based on protocols for treating the majority of people who have the symptoms you have. You’re a unique individual, living a unique life. You are a case of one.The recommendations I make emerge from our conversations about what you’re experiencing, your circumstances, and what you want for yourself. Your care must fit you rather than have you conform to protocols based on “most people” and averages. 

7.     Referrals to Other Providers and Ending Therapy: I know the scope of my practice and limits and work within them. When I think you need medical therapy, psychotherapy, or some other therapy that I do not provide, I tell you and refer you to a recommended provider. When I believe you’re ready to move forward on your own, without me, I tell you. We plan your discharge. I remain available to you as needed.