Frequently Asked Questions about Counseling & Therapy
How can I find a therapist that is right for me?
While opinions differ, one of the first questions I encourage clients to ask is whether a therapist has engaged in their own therapy. A healer who has not worked on their own healing is akin to the blind leading the blind. Whether consciously or unconsciously, a therapist who has not done their own work may steer clients away from discussing concerns that may be important for the client to address. Clients may also ask about the treatment modality to which their clinician adheres, whether the clinician has prior experience working with a specific concern as well as their level of training
What should I expect when I come in for an appointment?
No session is exactly alike, but appointments generally last 45 to 50 minutes, with the initial session focused upon the reason(s) you are seeking counseling. Your therapist will listen carefully to more than just the words you use, they will be attentive to the way you share your thoughts and feelings (the therapeutic process). Being able to “listen on different levels” is one of the ways therapy differs from talking to a friend.
How long does therapy take?
The length of time people spend in therapy varies upon a number of different factors, such as why a person is seeking treatment, how long it has been interfering with the person’s sense of well-being, and the client’s willingness to address and heal from their suffering. At times client concerns may be addressed in a handful of sessions, at other times, depending upon the complexity of the presenting issue, long-term therapy is required to achieve further reaching goals. These goals might include increased self-esteem based upon realistic self-evaluation, increased insight into themselves, an ability to identify and utilize feelings and emotions in a helpful manner, or an increased capacity to love, work, and interact with others in rewarding ways.
How much does this cost?
Individual and couples sessions (45-50 minutes) are $150.00, while group sessions (90 minutes) are only $75.00. In an effort to make mental health care available to all, each therapist accepts a limited number of clients based upon their ability to pay (sliding-scale). Please discuss this directly with the therapist with whom you would like to work.
Why don’t you take insurance?
In order to file a claim with an insurance company, the client must be diagnosed with a mental illness; despite the fact that most people who seek therapy do not have a diagnosable mental illness. In addition, insurance companies often treat therapy in a “one size fits all” manner, when each person is unique and their needs differ. The clinicians at DFWCPS develop individualized treatment plans based upon the needs of the client. A “super-bill” can be provided to clients so that the billing can be submitted to their insurance companies for reimbursement.
Resources
Child Abuse: 1-800-422-4453
Depression Hotline: 1-800-784-2433
Drug and Alcohol Treatment Hotline: 800-662-4357
Eating Disorders Hotline: 1-800-931-2237
Exhale: After Abortion Hotline/Pro-Voice: 1-866-439-4253
LifeLine: 1-800-273-8255
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization information line: 800-658-8898
Panic Disorder Hotline: 800-647-2642
Pregnancy Helpline: 800-230-7526
Project Inform HIV/AIDS Treatment Hotline: 800-822-7422
Post-Abortion Care/ Project Rachel: 1-800-593-2273
Rape and Sexual Assault: 1-800-656-4673
STD Helpline: 800-342-2437
Self-Harm Helpline: 800-366-8288
Sexuality Support: 1-800-246-7743
Suicide Hotline: 1-800-784-8433
Trevor Project (LGBTQ helpline):1-866-488-7386
Veterans Crisis Line (Worldwide): 1-800-273-8255
Last Updated: 9-25-15