Questions About Counseling and Therapy?
Is therapy right for me?
There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it’s in response to unexpected events in one’s life such as a work transition or a divorce. Often, it is to work on long-standing problems, or psychological issues with depression or anxiety. Many seek their own exploration and growth and work with a therapist to do so. Working with a therapist can help provide new strategies, support and insight for all types of life challenges. Therapy can address issues such as relationship issues, stress management, crisis, anxiety, depression, grief and general life transitions. Therapy is for someone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by creating greater self-awareness by taking responsibility and working towards positive change in their life.
I can usually handle my problems. Do I really need therapy?
You have faced and navigated successfully through difficulties or challenging situations in your life. Good for you! You probably already have plenty of tools in your toolbox to help you work through certain issues. However, it can be important to seek that extra support when you need it. Therapy is for individuals who have enough self-awareness to realize, and accept where you are in life right now as well know that at times, you need a helping hand to change your current situation. Therapy provides support and long-lasting benefits, giving you the coping skills you need to re-direct damaging patterns, avoid triggers, and overcome the challenges you are facing. Our individual toolbox is sometimes not quite enough. Therapy can add new perspectives and insight that can decrease or eliminate your suffering and enhance your life.
How can therapy help me?
Numerous benefits derive from participating in counseling. I can provide you with support while you learn problem-solving and enhance your coping strategies for issues such as relationship troubles, anxiety, depression, stress management, anger, and unresolved childhood issues. Many also find that a therapist is a tremendous asset to managing the hassles of daily life, marriage issues, interpersonal relationships, conflicting family patterns while enhancing personal growth. I can provide you with a fresh perspective to help you find your solutions. Using the process of therapy well and putting what you learn into practice will help you experience those benefits. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
- Improving communications and listening skills
- Increasing your joy and satisfaction with your life
- Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
- Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
- Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
- Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
- Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
- Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
- Developing skills for improving your relationships
What should I expect while in therapy?
Therapy can be as long and as specific as you want or need. We will address a specific issue or we can focus on ongoing, more complex issues. Through it all you will achieve personal growth through the process. With each session you have the opportunity to schedule a particular location where you feel most comfortable or you can schedule to meet me in my office. During your therapy sessions, it is standard for you to discuss with me your primary issues and concerns in your life. It is also common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around fifty to sixty minutes. To advance your therapy more quickly, often I will suggest things you can do between sessions. After your session it will take a few days to process what has been discussed so it is important to integrate what you learned and discovered in your session into your life between sessions. Being an active participant during and between your sessions will create a more effective therapeutic outcome.
What about medication?
Medication alone is not a long-term solution to emotional and mental problems. In some cases the right course of action is a combination of medication and counseling. You can determine what’s best for you by working with your medical doctor. Medication treats the symptom but therapy addresses the cause of your behavior patterns and distress that is challenging your progress. With an integrative approach you can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well being.
Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?
I accept most health insurance but to protect confidentiality, most of my clients self-pay. I am an in and out-of-network provider so the first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier to determine if you have mental health coverage. While checking your coverage, carefully find the answers to the following questions:
- How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
- What is my co-pay?
- Is approval required from my primary care physician?
- Does my plan cover telehealth or telemental health behavioral outpatient therapy?
- If I do not have in-network benefits, then what is my out of network deductible and how much have I met?
Most health insurances allow telehealth counseling. If you are out of network, I will provide you with a superbill you can submit on your own for reimbursement from your insurance provider.
Is therapy confidential?
In general, I am required by law to protect the confidentiality of all communications between you and I. I will not disclose any information without your written permission.
However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:
- Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse.
- If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person.
- If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety.