Why do people seek therapy?
People seek therapy for a variety of reasons. Some people come for a major life transition, like a divorce, getting ready for college or a new job, help with grieving, to reorganize after a job loss, etc. Others come for help managing longstanding challenges like depression, anxiety, attention, emotional regulation, or relationship issues. Many people assume that if they are reaching out for help, it means they are “crazy” or not able to do it on their own. In contrast, in my experience the people who seek out therapy are intelligent, skilled, and have the desire for more in their life. It takes courage, strength and insight to decide to get out of the rut and consider change.
What can I expect in a therapy session?
That depends on where we are in the process. I do advise calling for my free initial consultation. This will help you and I determine if we are a good fit, whether I have experience addressing your goals, if my scheduling and fees work for you, and you can determine if what I say makes sense to you. When we meet, we will discuss the therapeutic process, confidentiality, policies, and begin to gather information so I have a good picture. Our initial meetings will lay the foundation for our work, and we will progress to working on the issues you are struggling with. When you feel like you have a good foundation and are coping in a way that feels more comfortable and effective to you, we will begin to space sessions further apart and begin to close our work together.
What benefits can I expect from working with a therapist?
You can expect to feel more in control of you life and your choices, a reduction in the symptoms that brought you in to therapy, and better coping skills for dealing with the symptoms that brought you in. Good therapy can lead to more insight, better problem-solving, improved relationships, and increased confidence as you move through challenges in your life.
What if I don’t know my goals?
That’s okay; plenty of people don’t actually know their goals before they get started. Just knowing what pains you and reaching out to get started is a good beginning. As we work together, I can help you define goals and target your efforts.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes, therapy is confidential. In doing work with a licensed psychologist, you have both “confidentiality” and “privilege.” Confidentiality refers to my obligation to protect any information relevant to your care, even extending to not saying “hello” if we pass on the street so I don’t cause others to wonder if you are a client, protecting my written and electronic records, and not answering any questions from others about you. Privilege refers to the right of refusal to provide information when subpoenaed or requested from others. Interestingly, in the state of Georgia, you, the client actually holds privilege. What that means is that if I were to be subpoenaed for my records regarding you, I would first contact you for permission to release information. As with any therapist, confidentiality legally must be broken in situations where you are a danger to yourself or others, or if you or someone else is being abused.
Do you take insurance?
I do not take insurance. However, depending on your insurance policy you may be eligible for out of network benefits. If you would like to pursue this, I can provide you with a receipt that includes billing codes that you can submit to your insurance company. Please bear in mind that in submitting to your insurance company, they have the right to contact me for further information about our work together, including treatment plans and diagnoses. This information then becomes part of their file and I have no control over what they do with it once it is released.
