FAQs
How does therapy work?
Therapy can be viewed as a collaborative partnership between therapist and client with the goal of helping you make better sense of your world. By providing a safe, nonjudgmental atmosphere to freely explore thoughts, feelings, and concerns, the therapeutic process can lead you to better understand your situation and solve problems more productively. In addition, some people find that the structure, consistency, and accountability of the therapeutic relationship are what make therapy effective.
Is therapy effective?
Psychotherapy is an effective way to make fundamental changes that can have lasting results. In fact, a 1995 Consumer Reports study of over 4000 subscribers who had previously sought help for psychological problems concluded that the majority were highly satisfied with their treatment, with almost 90% reporting that they were handling life better since seeking help. The study also established that the longer people stayed in therapy, the more they tended to improve. Specifically, those who reported the most successful outcomes were those who remained in treatment for more than six months and those who started out feeling the most distress. In addition, we find that the clients who have the greatest treatment results are those that are highly motivated and dedicated to actively working toward their treatment goals.
What can I expect from the initial session?
The first session is a time for both client and therapist to assess whether there is a good fit between them. Generally, the bulk of the session will be spent gathering information about your current concerns. Your therapist will review the therapy process, including confidentiality, cancellation policies, fees, and paperwork. Toward the end, your therapist will make some initial treatment recommendations, respond to any questions you might have, and help you decide on the appropriate next steps.
How long will therapy take?
The course of treatment will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the nature and severity of the issue that brought you into treatment, the treatment goals that you and your counselor agree on, and your motivation and commitment to the process of therapy.
Longer-term psychotherapy is usually the most effective treatment when the reasons for treatment stem from firmly entrenched negative beliefs, deep-rooted relational patterns, or issues such as depression and anxiety. In other instances, such as during a time of acute crisis or to help one navigate through a specific life transition, it is possible to address a client’s problems in a briefer, more time-limited manner. After an initial assessment period, your counselor should be able to help evaluate an approximate course of treatment.
Can’t I just solve my problems on my own or talk to friends?
The ability to be self-sufficient and rely on your support system is healthy and is one of the skills that is learned and encouraged in therapy. Nevertheless, most people tend to have blind spots in the way they feel, think about, and experience themselves and their circumstances. In therapy people find a professional, supportive, confidential, and nurturing environment where they can explore these blind spots without being judged, blamed, or shamed. Friends and family may be well meaning but may share some of these same blind spots and might lack the skills that a trained professional can provide.
A therapist is removed from the rest of your life in a way that creates a unique opportunity to help you gain a new perspective, insights, and safely experience your thoughts and feelings in a way you may not feel comfortable sharing with those closest to you.
What happens in couples counseling?
Unlike individual therapy, in couples counseling the focus is on the relationship and the ways in which the two individuals interact. The work entails helping the couple enhance their connection and intimacy without losing their individuality. It is important to note that the therapist’s role is not to keep the couple together, but rather to build skills and foster awareness of the relational patterns that may be keeping the couple stuck. These patterns often involve communication, conflict, intimacy, boundary management, and stress.
Another important focus of couples treatment is to aid the couple in increasing the level of positivity in their relationship. Research has shown that successful couples, no matter how conflictual, succeed because they are able to maintain at least a 5:1 ratio of positive to negative interactions. Not only can therapy help to achieve this ratio, but it also encourages partners to take more personal responsibility and reduce blame.
How does insurance work?
Each insurance plan is different, depending on the insurance company and the type of plan your employer has chosen. If your counselor is a provider for your insurance plan, he/she will submit the necessary paperwork for reimbursement. You will likely be responsible for a co-payment for each session and the insurance company will cover the remainder, up to the set rate (which they determine). If your counselor is not a provider for your insurance plan, it may still be possible that your insurance company will cover a portion of the fee. When you have a PPO, for instance, there are different rates of coverage for in-network versus out-of-network providers. If your counselor is not a covered provider, you are responsible for paying the full fee for each session. Your counselor will then provide you with a statement that you can send to your insurance company along with your claim forms so that you can be reimbursed directly by the insurance company. Your counselor will be happy to help you with this process; it usually is fairly straightforward and often only requires filling out one page of information.
Many insurance plans require that you meet a deductible before they start covering your treatment. If so, you are expected to pay your counselor the full fee until your deductible is met, at which time you will then start paying your co-payment.
It is always advisable to contact your insurance company ahead of time to verify your specific coverage for outpatient therapy. This treatment is often referred to by insurance companies as “outpatient psychiatric services” or “behavioral health care.” Please be advised that regardless of your insurance situation, payment is ultimately your responsibility. You are encouraged to talk directly about any questions or concerns you have regarding insurance and fees with your counselor.
Will I require medication?
Medication is not for everyone and it is certainly not a “cure-all,” but there are times when taking medication is either clinically indicated or an option for us to consider as part of the treatment plan.
Depending on the nature and severity of the concerns addressed in therapy, together we may decide that medication is warranted as part of a comprehensive treatment approach. If, after sufficient assessment and discussion, we agree to consider medication as a supplement to the psychotherapy process, referrals will be made to one of the skilled and competent psychiatrists with whom we collaborate.