Questions and answers
In a recent study by Consumer Reports of four thousand people who used a therapist, 90 percent reported being able to manage their lives better. There are numerous other studies that have also shown the effectiveness of counseling for dealing with many of life’s problems, and our experience bears this out to be true as well. However, it is important for a person to be willing to take responsibility for his/her behavior and be willing to do things differently in order for counseling to be the most effective.
While each therapist has her own approach to counseling, there is a general format you can expect when you come in. During the first session, we will be gathering as much information about the problem as possible, as well as finding out what you hope to get out of counseling. The remaining sessions will focus on helping you move in the direction of achieving your therapy goals.
The process is fairly straightforward. When we sit together we will simply talk about what you see as your troubling issues. Your therapist will listen intently, asking questions along the way to try to determine what kinds of things need attention and further exploration. As we progress, we will both begin to form a better idea as to how to proceed, how long we might need to meet, and what might need to happen in your life and the way in which you meet your struggles.
This decision will be made between you and your counselor after some initial assessments. Most clients come in on a weekly basis initially.
In counseling the results depend entirely on how much work you are willing to do. Your counselor will help to facilitate that process. Some people come in for a few months and others come in for a few years. It is not uncommon for people to maintain the relationship and return to counseling when other concerns arise in their lives.
Insurance plans vary widely concerning coverage, so you should refer to the specifics of your particular plan. Some basic questions you might want to ask are:
- Is outpatient mental health a covered benefit?
- Does the plan pay for “out of network” or “non-plan” providers?
- Is there a deductible that needs to be met?
- Does your plan restrict the number of outpatient mental health sessions per year?
- Is preauthorization or a referral from your doctor required?
You may qualify for a reduced fee based upon your income level and any extenuating circumstances.
We accept cash, checks and credit or debit cards.
Your confidentiality is extremely important to us. We use software that is properly encrypted and double lock any written records to ensure that your information is safe. We can only release information with your written permission.
Both counselors and psychologists have been trained to listen to and to help people with their problems. The primary difference between the two lies in education and training. In general, a psychologist has received a doctoral level of training, while a counselor has received a master’s level of training.
No classes are available.