Why do people come to counseling?

 

The reasons that people enter counseling are as diverse as the people who seek treatment. Sometimes it is overwhelming life stress or a crisis that causes a person to decide to go to counseling. In addition, many times people enter counseling to gain insight and acceptance about themselves and to achieve personal growth. We all have different ways of coping with what life brings and we all need to find meaning and a sense of purpose. It is very difficult to discover that our old ways of coping no longer work and we are not been able to sort things out, or make ourselves feel any better. Therapy can then be useful in helping to make sense of what is happening and provide an opportunity to learn how to live life in a more fulfilling and satisfying way. People seeking counseling are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives.

 

What can I expect in a counseling session?

 

A session lasts between 45-60 minutes, but each case is unique and people have many different goals that affect the length of treatment. Always, you should expect to be attended to and treated with respect and dignity. You should also expect the therapist to invest energy, attention, and time to you by trying to keep a very regular schedule to promote a sense of consistency in the changing process. During session you are expected to talk about any concerns and the issues that brought you to counseling. Counseling both supports and challenges clients to use their existing strengths to shed light on how they can overcome their problems and create a life that they find more rewarding, healthy, happy, and fulfilling. Developing treatment that is centered on developing both insight and real observable change is a hallmark of the work expected in counseling.  

 

What benefits can I expect from working with a therapist?

 

A number of benefits are available from participating in counseling. Counseling is a very effective treatment for mental and emotional problems. In order to profit from its benefits, it’s important to choose a therapist you can trust, someone who makes you feel cared for and has the experience to help you make changes to better your life. A good therapist knows how to listen, helps you identify and understand self-defeating thoughts and behaviors, encourages you to make positive changes, and motivates you to learn and grow. The therapist cannot do the work for you, you must be an active participant in the process. The benefits you obtain from counseling depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn.

 

How do I pay for counseling?

 

Payment for counseling services is based upon an hourly fee. The standard counseling hour for insurance purposes is 45-60 minutes. Your payment options include cash, credit card, or health insurance. Payment is expected at the time of services. Our therapists are on panel with most insurance companies. For some insurance providers, our therapist might be considered out-of-network. You are ultimately responsible for payment of services. Payment plans can be arranged so counseling can be provided under most conditions.