ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS ABOUT COUNSELING
DOES PSYCHOTHERAPY REALLY HELP?
Research over the past fifty years has shown that
psychotherapy is an effective treatment for many of life’s
problems. On average, individuals, couples and families
who engage in therapy are better off than 80% of patients
who do not receive therapy. Research has also
demonstrated that therapy is cost effective. Patients who
successfully complete a course in therapy often benefit
from reduced absenteeism, lost days at work and reduced
medical expenses for related disorders. Patients can also
benefit from increased self-esteem, increased satisfaction
and improved quality of life.
WHEN SHOULD I CONSIDER COUNSELING?
The decision to seek counseling is very personal choice.
Asking for professional help can be hard. It is often made
when people are feeling vulnerable, stressed or a
significant amount of emotional pain. A good therapist will
be able to help put your mind at ease and assist you in
deciding whether or not therapy is the right course for you.
You may want to consider counseling if you or someone
you know is experiencing: persistent negative thoughts;
overwhelming emotions; depression or mood swings;
excessive stress or anxiety; problems involving the
inappropriate use of drugs, alcohol, sex or food; excessive
anger, frustration, or guilt; persistent worries, obsessive
thoughts or compulsions; loneliness, relationship
problems, or difficulties with communication; problems at
school, work or with employment; changes in life
circumstances; problems related to traumatic events or
childhood abuse; sexual issues, marital distress, domestic
violence or other forms of abuse.
SHOULD CHILDREN OR ADOLESCENTS ENGAGE IN
COUNSELING?
Children and adolescents may benefit from counseling
when their problems are persistent, serious and affect
numerous areas in their family and social lives. Children
may be reluctant to share their problems. They may show
that they are distressed indirectly in a number of ways.
They may be more irritable than usual. They may exhibit
changes in personality, mood, eating habits, sleep
disruption, or develop physical complaints. They may
experience problems with family members, develop
problems at school, or have trouble making or keeping
friends.
Working with children and adolescents frequently involves
working with the entire family in one form or another. If
your child is experiencing problems adjusting then you may
want to consider contacting a counselor to assist you in
assessing the situation.
WHAT TYPE OF THERAPY SHOULD I BE LOOKING FOR?
Make sure the therapist you choose works your age group
and is knowledgeable about your presenting problem.
There are many effective types of therapy. Check to see if
the therapist you are considering offers the kind of therapy
you need—individual, couple, family or group therapy. Ask
the therapist how he or she would help you work on your
problems, then see if the response makes sense to you.
HOW DO I KNOW I WILL BE UNDERSTOOD?
Counselors specialize in different areas of practice, have
different theoretical orientations and unique personal
styles. Choosing a counselor will depend on what you want
to work on and how well your therapist works with you. You
should interview the counselor to determine if he or she
understands your specific concerns. Studies have shown
that the therapeutic relationship is an important factor
associated with successful treatment outcomes. In
choosing a counselor you should be comfortable with his
or her approach to problems, level of expertise, and
personality.
Once you begin counseling, you have the right to ask
questions about the procedures your counselor uses and
how the work you do together will help you achieve your
goals. You have the right not to receive therapeutic
assistance from your counselor if you choose. You have
the right to review any records or files if you wish to do so.
You also have the right to end therapy at any time without
any moral, legal or financial responsibility other than those
you have already incurred.
WILL THE ISSUES I DISCUSS BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL?
Confidentiality is an important part of the work that
counselors and clients do together. In order for clients to
feel that the counseling sessions are a safe place to
discuss issues openly and honestly, it is essential that the
counselor respects the client’s right to privacy. Maintaining
confidentiality is essential to preserving trust.
It is important that you understand your right to privacy, as
well as the obligations that your counselor has to keep
information shared in the counseling sessions private. Any
information revealed to your counselor will be kept in the
strictest confidence. The records he or she maintains will
be kept in such a way that they will not be available for
viewing by anyone outside the counseling session. Records
will not be released to a third party unless the clients have
signed a waiver giving permission to release the
information. Even when all participants have agreed to
release these records, they will only be released to those
individuals that you specify. Communications between you,
the other participants, and your counselor will also be kept
confidential, and may only be shared between the parties
who are directly involved in the counseling sessions.
In some instances it may be necessary for counselors to
disclose information revealed in the counseling session.
You can look to the next column on this page for more
information on the limits to confidentiality.
HOW I DO I GET STARTED?
Think about what you want to work on in therapy. Then,
select the kind of therapy you think will be appropriate for
you. If you are not sure, you can call for an initial
consultation to determine what might work for you. An
interview should help you choose a counselor that is right
for you. A trusting, open and honest relationship is crucial
for therapy. In your first few sessions try to notice if you are
comfortable with the therapist. If you have any concerns,
discuss them with your therapist.
HOW LONG DOES THERAPY TAKE?
Developing trust, understanding the problem, and building a
working relationship can take time. The length of therapy
will depend on how well you are able to meet your goals. In
general, the first few sessions involve a through
assessment of the client’s presenting problem. Once the
problem has been thoroughly assessed, the counselor and
client may develop an agreed upon treatment plan.
Subsequent sessions may be spent working together on
the problem until the client feels that it has been adequately
addressed.
According to Consumer Reports, most clients found some
relief in both brief and long term therapy. However those
who engaged in therapy for six months or longer reported
the greatest benefits. In most cases, therapy doesn’t take
that long. Some clients may only require a few sessions,
while others may require more time to come to a resolution.
On average, clients tend to end therapy after twelve
sessions. The majority of clients are likely to experience
significant progress in twenty sessions or less. The length
of time required to complete your treatment is a decision
that should be made between you and your counselor.
HOW DO I PAY FOR COUNSELING?
Most clients do not require an extensive course in therapy.
In general, most clients remain in therapy for fewer than 20
sessions, so the cost can be quite manageable. Although
we have a set baseline fees for services, we are willing to
consider adjusting our fees on a case by case basis
depending individual client’s needs and financial
circumstances.
It is important to be aware of the disadvantages associated
with using your insurance coverage or managed-care
benefits. Most managed care and insurance companies
require a clinical diagnosis before they will consider
reimbursing patients for psychotherapy. Receiving a
diagnosis means that the condition may become part of
your permanent medical record. Many managed care and
insurance companies also limit the duration and type of
treatments available to you. They may also require
oversight by a third party to insure that the treatment plan
they dictate is followed. In many instances we do not
believe that this is in the best interest of our clients. For
those reasons, we do not accept third party payments at
this time. We can provide you with the necessary
documentation for you to file for reimbursement from your
insurance company if you wish.
QUESTIONS ABOUT COUNSELING
DOES PSYCHOTHERAPY REALLY HELP?
Research over the past fifty years has shown that
psychotherapy is an effective treatment for many of life’s
problems. On average, individuals, couples and families
who engage in therapy are better off than 80% of patients
who do not receive therapy. Research has also
demonstrated that therapy is cost effective. Patients who
successfully complete a course in therapy often benefit
from reduced absenteeism, lost days at work and reduced
medical expenses for related disorders. Patients can also
benefit from increased self-esteem, increased satisfaction
and improved quality of life.
WHEN SHOULD I CONSIDER COUNSELING?
The decision to seek counseling is very personal choice.
Asking for professional help can be hard. It is often made
when people are feeling vulnerable, stressed or a
significant amount of emotional pain. A good therapist will
be able to help put your mind at ease and assist you in
deciding whether or not therapy is the right course for you.
You may want to consider counseling if you or someone
you know is experiencing: persistent negative thoughts;
overwhelming emotions; depression or mood swings;
excessive stress or anxiety; problems involving the
inappropriate use of drugs, alcohol, sex or food; excessive
anger, frustration, or guilt; persistent worries, obsessive
thoughts or compulsions; loneliness, relationship
problems, or difficulties with communication; problems at
school, work or with employment; changes in life
circumstances; problems related to traumatic events or
childhood abuse; sexual issues, marital distress, domestic
violence or other forms of abuse.
SHOULD CHILDREN OR ADOLESCENTS ENGAGE IN
COUNSELING?
Children and adolescents may benefit from counseling
when their problems are persistent, serious and affect
numerous areas in their family and social lives. Children
may be reluctant to share their problems. They may show
that they are distressed indirectly in a number of ways.
They may be more irritable than usual. They may exhibit
changes in personality, mood, eating habits, sleep
disruption, or develop physical complaints. They may
experience problems with family members, develop
problems at school, or have trouble making or keeping
friends.
Working with children and adolescents frequently involves
working with the entire family in one form or another. If
your child is experiencing problems adjusting then you may
want to consider contacting a counselor to assist you in
assessing the situation.
WHAT TYPE OF THERAPY SHOULD I BE LOOKING FOR?
Make sure the therapist you choose works your age group
and is knowledgeable about your presenting problem.
There are many effective types of therapy. Check to see if
the therapist you are considering offers the kind of therapy
you need—individual, couple, family or group therapy. Ask
the therapist how he or she would help you work on your
problems, then see if the response makes sense to you.
HOW DO I KNOW I WILL BE UNDERSTOOD?
Counselors specialize in different areas of practice, have
different theoretical orientations and unique personal
styles. Choosing a counselor will depend on what you want
to work on and how well your therapist works with you. You
should interview the counselor to determine if he or she
understands your specific concerns. Studies have shown
that the therapeutic relationship is an important factor
associated with successful treatment outcomes. In
choosing a counselor you should be comfortable with his
or her approach to problems, level of expertise, and
personality.
Once you begin counseling, you have the right to ask
questions about the procedures your counselor uses and
how the work you do together will help you achieve your
goals. You have the right not to receive therapeutic
assistance from your counselor if you choose. You have
the right to review any records or files if you wish to do so.
You also have the right to end therapy at any time without
any moral, legal or financial responsibility other than those
you have already incurred.
WILL THE ISSUES I DISCUSS BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL?
Confidentiality is an important part of the work that
counselors and clients do together. In order for clients to
feel that the counseling sessions are a safe place to
discuss issues openly and honestly, it is essential that the
counselor respects the client’s right to privacy. Maintaining
confidentiality is essential to preserving trust.
It is important that you understand your right to privacy, as
well as the obligations that your counselor has to keep
information shared in the counseling sessions private. Any
information revealed to your counselor will be kept in the
strictest confidence. The records he or she maintains will
be kept in such a way that they will not be available for
viewing by anyone outside the counseling session. Records
will not be released to a third party unless the clients have
signed a waiver giving permission to release the
information. Even when all participants have agreed to
release these records, they will only be released to those
individuals that you specify. Communications between you,
the other participants, and your counselor will also be kept
confidential, and may only be shared between the parties
who are directly involved in the counseling sessions.
In some instances it may be necessary for counselors to
disclose information revealed in the counseling session.
You can look to the next column on this page for more
information on the limits to confidentiality.
HOW I DO I GET STARTED?
Think about what you want to work on in therapy. Then,
select the kind of therapy you think will be appropriate for
you. If you are not sure, you can call for an initial
consultation to determine what might work for you. An
interview should help you choose a counselor that is right
for you. A trusting, open and honest relationship is crucial
for therapy. In your first few sessions try to notice if you are
comfortable with the therapist. If you have any concerns,
discuss them with your therapist.
HOW LONG DOES THERAPY TAKE?
Developing trust, understanding the problem, and building a
working relationship can take time. The length of therapy
will depend on how well you are able to meet your goals. In
general, the first few sessions involve a through
assessment of the client’s presenting problem. Once the
problem has been thoroughly assessed, the counselor and
client may develop an agreed upon treatment plan.
Subsequent sessions may be spent working together on
the problem until the client feels that it has been adequately
addressed.
According to Consumer Reports, most clients found some
relief in both brief and long term therapy. However those
who engaged in therapy for six months or longer reported
the greatest benefits. In most cases, therapy doesn’t take
that long. Some clients may only require a few sessions,
while others may require more time to come to a resolution.
On average, clients tend to end therapy after twelve
sessions. The majority of clients are likely to experience
significant progress in twenty sessions or less. The length
of time required to complete your treatment is a decision
that should be made between you and your counselor.
HOW DO I PAY FOR COUNSELING?
Most clients do not require an extensive course in therapy.
In general, most clients remain in therapy for fewer than 20
sessions, so the cost can be quite manageable. Although
we have a set baseline fees for services, we are willing to
consider adjusting our fees on a case by case basis
depending individual client’s needs and financial
circumstances.
It is important to be aware of the disadvantages associated
with using your insurance coverage or managed-care
benefits. Most managed care and insurance companies
require a clinical diagnosis before they will consider
reimbursing patients for psychotherapy. Receiving a
diagnosis means that the condition may become part of
your permanent medical record. Many managed care and
insurance companies also limit the duration and type of
treatments available to you. They may also require
oversight by a third party to insure that the treatment plan
they dictate is followed. In many instances we do not
believe that this is in the best interest of our clients. For
those reasons, we do not accept third party payments at
this time. We can provide you with the necessary
documentation for you to file for reimbursement from your
insurance company if you wish.
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Consumer Reports
In 1995, Consumer Reports published the results
of a nationwide survey examining the
effectiveness of psychotherapy. Among the
findings they reported that:
Limits of Confidentiality
Confidentiality may be limited or waived under
certain circumstances. The following is a list of
reasons confidentiality may be waived.
Consultation
Your counselor may need to consult with a
colleague to assist in the progress of treatment.
In those instances, he or she will disclose as
little information as possible in order to consult
on issues that may bear directly on the work that
you are doing together. In every instance, he or
she will seek your permission first before
discussing your case with any third party
professional.
Duty to warn
Under certain circumstances, counselors are
obligated by law to disclose information in order
to prevent anyone from harming themselves or
others. He or she may be obligated to report
cases involving child abuse, child neglect, or if
you or any other participant threatens to do harm
to himself, herself or to anyone else, to the
proper authorities. He or she may also be
required to warn any individual when a threat is
directed toward them.
Court Proceedings
In cases involving criminal proceedings or if
mandated by a court of law, your counselor may
not be able to keep all communications that take
place in the counseling session confidential.
Counseling Orientations
There area many different types of counseling
theories, and practices available. Most
psychotherapists are somewhat eclectic in their
approach, but tend to work under the umbrella of
an overarching theoretical orientation.
There are many different techniques, and
approaches to therapy. In nearly every instance,
the establishment of a trusting, empathetic, and
secure relationship is critical to the successful
completion of a course in therapy. The list below
is not intended to be complete.
The brief descriptions are designed to give you
some idea of the focus of attention for each
theoretical orientation in order to help make you
a more informed consumer.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapists concern themselves
with unconscious drives and motivations that
influence behavior.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapists concern themselves with
positive and negative reinforcers that tend to
shape and maintain behaviors.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapists concern
themselves with repetitive thought processes
and the underlying beliefs that support these
processes, which can contribute to distress.
Social Constructionist Therapy
Social constructionist therapists concern
themselves with the way that social structures
become internalized and influence ongoing
behavior.
Experiential Therapy
Experiential therapists concern themselves with
emotions and the meaning making process by
creating enactments to evoke and resolve
problems in the hear and now.
Solution Focused Therapy
Solution focused therapists concern themselves
with client's innate abilities to cope by
emphasizing, and drawing upon what the client
already knows, but is not applying to his or her
current situation.
Family Systems Therapy
Family systems therapists concern themselves
with the circular interactions that trigger, and
maintain current problem behaviors.
In 1995, Consumer Reports published the results
of a nationwide survey examining the
effectiveness of psychotherapy. Among the
findings they reported that:
- The longer people stayed in therapy the
more likely they were to improve. - Patients who started out feeling the worst
said that they made the most progress - Nearly 75% of those seeking help went to
a mental health specialist - People who saw a mental health
specialist for more than six months did
better than those who sought help from
their family physician - 44% of those who said their emotional
state was ‘very poor’ when they started
treatment said that they now feel good - Another 43% of those who started
treatment feeling ‘very poor’ improved
significantly - People who received psychotherapy
alone improved just as much as those
who received psychotherapy in
combination with medication for anxiety
and depression. - People who took medication for anxiety
and depression thought they were helpful,
but nearly half reported side effects.
Limits of Confidentiality
Confidentiality may be limited or waived under
certain circumstances. The following is a list of
reasons confidentiality may be waived.
Consultation
Your counselor may need to consult with a
colleague to assist in the progress of treatment.
In those instances, he or she will disclose as
little information as possible in order to consult
on issues that may bear directly on the work that
you are doing together. In every instance, he or
she will seek your permission first before
discussing your case with any third party
professional.
Duty to warn
Under certain circumstances, counselors are
obligated by law to disclose information in order
to prevent anyone from harming themselves or
others. He or she may be obligated to report
cases involving child abuse, child neglect, or if
you or any other participant threatens to do harm
to himself, herself or to anyone else, to the
proper authorities. He or she may also be
required to warn any individual when a threat is
directed toward them.
Court Proceedings
In cases involving criminal proceedings or if
mandated by a court of law, your counselor may
not be able to keep all communications that take
place in the counseling session confidential.
Counseling Orientations
There area many different types of counseling
theories, and practices available. Most
psychotherapists are somewhat eclectic in their
approach, but tend to work under the umbrella of
an overarching theoretical orientation.
There are many different techniques, and
approaches to therapy. In nearly every instance,
the establishment of a trusting, empathetic, and
secure relationship is critical to the successful
completion of a course in therapy. The list below
is not intended to be complete.
The brief descriptions are designed to give you
some idea of the focus of attention for each
theoretical orientation in order to help make you
a more informed consumer.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapists concern themselves
with unconscious drives and motivations that
influence behavior.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapists concern themselves with
positive and negative reinforcers that tend to
shape and maintain behaviors.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapists concern
themselves with repetitive thought processes
and the underlying beliefs that support these
processes, which can contribute to distress.
Social Constructionist Therapy
Social constructionist therapists concern
themselves with the way that social structures
become internalized and influence ongoing
behavior.
Experiential Therapy
Experiential therapists concern themselves with
emotions and the meaning making process by
creating enactments to evoke and resolve
problems in the hear and now.
Solution Focused Therapy
Solution focused therapists concern themselves
with client's innate abilities to cope by
emphasizing, and drawing upon what the client
already knows, but is not applying to his or her
current situation.
Family Systems Therapy
Family systems therapists concern themselves
with the circular interactions that trigger, and
maintain current problem behaviors.
Copyright 2008 Life Course Solutions
In St. Louis, Missouri In Indianapolis, Indiana
7649 Delmar Blvd. 6225 Central Ave.
Saint Louis, MO 63130 Indianapolis, Indiana 46220
Phone: (314)369-4729 Phone: (317)414-0106
7649 Delmar Blvd. 6225 Central Ave.
Saint Louis, MO 63130 Indianapolis, Indiana 46220
Phone: (314)369-4729 Phone: (317)414-0106