FAQ
What is therapy?
When a client enters therapy, their has given the opportunity to discuss and talk about issues that are important to them, while having a trained objective person (the Therapist) assist them in working through not only their current situation, but also how to deal with future situations that may be similar.
Therapy can be focused on a single problem or it can be focused on a number of problems.Something to keep in mind is that therapy is a collaborative endeavor in which both the client and the therapist must take an active role in order for change to take place.
What does the first session look like?
The initial session will be an initial assessment to discuss the client’s history and needs for treatment. During this first session the client will have the
opportunity to see how therapy will work, review office policies, privacy and confidentiality, as well as determine whether or not they are comfortable with the therapist.
Side note: It’s vital to have a positive working relationship with your therapist, so it’s recommended that the client and therapist will meet 2-3 times before deciding whether or not the relationship will continue. The therapist will provide client with referrals of specialists or trusted colleagues if they feel someone else might better be able to work with the client.
How can therapy help me?
There are far too many advantages to participating in therapy to list them all. Counselors can assist with a wide range of issues by providing emotional support, problem-solving skills, and coping strategies.
The objective nature of therapists allows them to provide a different or new perspective on a problem that you have been struggling with.
The benefits of therapy are dependent on your level of commitment and readiness.
One or more of the following benefits may occur: increased self-confidence or self-esteem, improved communication skills, learning/discovering new coping skills, attaining a better understanding of oneself, changing old patterns and developing new ones, or managing your emotional feelings such as sadness, anger, or other highly charged emotions you may be experiencing.
What are the different types of therapy?
The client has one-on-one sessions with their therapist to address any concerns they may have and to work through and seek positive alternatives to those concerns.
The clients have the opportunity to work through and support one another with similar interests in a group setting, guided by a therapist facilitator.
Group counseling allows a client to benefit from the experiences of others while also realizing that they are not alone in their struggles.
It is beneficial to both couples and families because it helps to reduce tension and conflict while also improving communication skills among members of the family unit.
How long is therapy?
Therapy sessions are typically 45-50 minutes long, whereas group sessions are typically longer than 45 minutes.
Clients typically meet once a week or twice a week, depending on the needs of the client.
The length of time spent in therapy will vary depending on the circumstances of each individual client.
That will be decided by the therapist and the client in collaboration.
• How do therapists work with other professionals?
In order to preserve the continuity of care, it’s important to work with school counselors, pediatricians, primary care physicians, psychiatrists, etc.
With written permission, therapists can provide treatment plans or answer questions that other professionals may have. If a client needs their therapist to
work with other professionals in their life, please don’t hesitate to ask.
What are all the letters behind a therapist's name?
When searching for a therapist, the letters that appear behind their name can provide information about their training.
Here are a few illustrations:
Masters Degree (MA, MS, or MD) is the highest educational level.
PHD, PsyD, and EdD are all Doctoral Degrees.
License: LPC, LCSW: Licensed professional counselor, licensed clinical social worker (Professional Counselor, Clinical Social Worker)
supervised hours have been completed
Provisional therapists (PLPC and PLCSW) are those who work on supervised hours after obtaining a graduate degree.
Therapy can be focused on a single problem or it can be focused on a number of problems.Something to keep in mind is that therapy is a collaborative endeavor in which both the client and the therapist must take an active role in order for change to take place.
What is the difference between seeing a therapist, a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
The scope of treatment for mental health therapists and counselors is limited to talk therapy.
Typically, therapists have a master’s degree and attend continuing education courses on a yearly basis. Psychologists not only provide counseling services, but they also conduct psychological testing for schools, courts, and other organizations as part of their job. A psychiatrist’s talk therapy and counseling services are typically limited, but the individual is always on call to provide medication management.
If your therapist believes that you may require medication, they will provide you with a referral to a doctor who they believe will be beneficial to you.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in the treatment of mental illnesses.
If medication is required, it is common for these clients to receive both medication and talk therapy at the same time.
Medication therapy is not intended to be a substitute for talk therapy.