Is therapy right for me?
Do I really need therapy?  I can usually handle my problems.
How can therapy help me?
What is therapy like?
Is medication a substitute for therapy?
Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?
Is therapy confidential?

Is coaching or therapy right for me? 

Seeking out coaching or therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to me for assistance. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety, depression or managing anger and conflict. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one's life such as a divorce or work transition. Many seek the advice of a coach as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a counselor or coach can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, anger, conflict, grief, stress management, and general life transitions. Coaching or therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change and solutions to problems in their lives.

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Do I really need therapy?  I can usually handle my problems. 

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, coaching or therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation. Coaching or therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.  Solutions are possible!

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How can therapy help me? 

A number of benefits are available from participating in coaching or psychotherapy.  I can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, anger management, grief, and stress management.  Many people also find that counselors and coaches can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. We can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy or coaching depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

• Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
• Developing skills for improving your relationships
• Finding solutions to the issues or concerns that led you to seek services
• Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
• Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
• Improving communications and listening skills
• Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
• Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

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What is coaching or therapy like? 

Every session is unique and caters to each individual or couple and their specific goals. It is standard for therapists or coaches to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly or bi-weekly sessions. Treatment can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For coaching or therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. Clients must be willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect out of working with me:

• Compassion, respect and understanding
• Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
• Real strategies for enacting positive change and solutions to problems
• Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance
  

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Is medication a substitute for therapy? 

In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your medical doctor or a psychiatrist you can determine what's best for you. It is well established that the long-term solution to emotional and behavioral problems, and the pain they cause, cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of distress and the behavior patterns that curb progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.

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Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work? 

I do not accept insurance as direct payment for services.  However I can provide a Super Bill regarding the type of service provided and the fee that was charged.  You can then submit this to your insurance provider for reimbursement according to the terms of your insurance policy.  To determine if you have mental health coverage, the first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage carefully and find the answers to the following questions:

• What are my mental health benefits?
• What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
• How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
• How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
• Is approval required from my primary care physician?

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Is therapy and coaching confidential? 

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.  I also apply this protection to my coaching clients.

However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:

• Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.
• If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.