Faq

Some Common Questions About Counseling

How do I know if counseling is needed or will help?
How do I know where to go or what counselor to choose?
How do I know if they are using the best approach?
What if I don’t want my child (or myself) on medication?
How much does psychological treatment cost?
What is the difference between a psychologist, psychiatrist, psychotherapist and counselor or social worker ?
How do I schedule an appointment?
How long will it take?
How often will I need to go?
What if we have a marriage problem and my spouse refuses to go?
My teenage son thinks only crazy people go see a psychologist

How do I know if counseling is needed or will help ?
Generally, when people have tried everything they can think of and things still aren’t improving, then it is time to seek help. It’s not that psychologists or counselors are smarter than everybody else is, but they are trained to understand the dynamics of emotions and relationships. They provide an objective place where you can share whatever fears, failures or feelings you have, without being judged, shamed or having your confidentiality violated. The more open and committed you are to working hard, the more you will get out of it. We can’t promise that your situation will change (for example, we can’t teach you how to turn your grouchy boss into a friendly optimist) but we can give you tools and strategies to help you to change or gain strength to cope more effectively.

The one recommendation we would make is that you don’t wait too long. Small problems are resolved much quicker than are ones that have built up major patterns of negative behavior or resentment. Don’t wait until it is too late.

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How do I know where to go or what counselor to choose?
Obviously when you are dealing with major life issues you want good quality care. You want to go to a Dentist, Eye Doctor or Physician, who is licensed, well trained and is keeping abreast of the latest techniques and developments. The same is true for your emotional or relational issues. Sure you can talk to your next door neighbor whose brother went through a similar situation to your three years ago, but chances are you won’t get an unbiased or research tested strategy. We recommend you see a therapist who is licensed by the State, has a higher degree of education and has pursued continuing education. Usually people in a clinic setting have more accountability and collaboration than solo practitioners. Obviously, years of experience and areas of specialty should be considered. Age, race, gender, values and socio-economic similarities will help you to feel more connected and understood, but make sure you get a feel for the professionalism and reputability of the agency and the individual you are considering seeing.

It is a good idea to call and talk to the therapist and get a feel for their approach and personality over the phone. If the fit seems good, set an appointment. Make sure you get to ask questions that are important to you. If you don’t feel comfortable, feel free to discuss your concerns or to interview another therapist.

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How do I know if they are using the best approach?
Part of your treatment will involve an initial assessment. This is a time to explain the problem and to explore the background and the dynamics of the individuals involved.

Following the assessment, your therapist should go over a treatment plan with you. This involves discussing what the problems and goals are, and what the alternatives for treatment are, a general idea of length of treatment and frequency of sessions. You should understand the general direction and philosophy of the treatment and be able to agree on it with your therapist. You have the right to decline any type of treatment that you are uncomfortable with. After several sessions you should have a feel for the direction and progress of the therapy. If at any time you are confused or unhappy, please discuss these issues with your therapist. A reputable therapist will always welcome and respond helpfully to your needs.
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What if I don’t want my child (or myself) on medication?
Putting a child or adult on medication is a decision that should be carefully made. You need to be able to discuss the pros and cons of medication and non-medication treatment. You should be made aware of the side effects and potential length of medication treatment. Once you weigh these factors you have the right to choose what approach you would like to take.

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How much does psychological treatment cost?
Like everything else these days, this kind of treatment is not cheap. Fees for mental health treatment can range from fifty to two hundred dollars a session depending on what degree of professional you see. Fortunately, most insurance companies provide coverage for such treatment. You need to check with your insurance company to see what level of coverage they provide for outpatient mental health services. The State, County, Social Service agencies or churches may also offer some types of services for a minimal fee,

Another question to ask yourself is, how much will it cost me (in money, time, broken relationships or misery) not to get treatment. Generally speaking, marital counseling is a whole lot cheaper than divorce, or helping an angry teenager now may save you from a number of other expenses in the future.

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What is the difference between a psychologist, psychiatrist, psychotherapist and counselor or social worker ?
It can be confusing trying to sort out all the initials after some professionals names and to understand what they all mean, and to know which type of helper to go to.

To explain these briefly: A Psychiatrist is trained in school as a Medical Doctor. They are experts in the understanding of the physiological, neurological and physical aspects of the human being. They are specialized in prescribing medication and they are also well trained in psychotherapy (the providing of counseling or therapy services.) Psychologists are trained at the doctoral level of education (but have not gone to medical school.) They are specialists in psychological testing or assessment and are also trained in psychotherapy and research of treatment effectiveness. Psychotherapists are generally academically trained at a Master’s degree level. This could be in the field of Psychology, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Nursing, or Counseling. These individuals all have studied various aspects of personality, psychological development, interpersonal dynamics, learning theory, psychopathology and a number of course in counseling and psychology. Any of these individuals (psychiatrists, psychologists or psychotherapists) can do an excellent job in working with individuals to help them resolve their psychological issues. There are also drug and alcohol counselors who have been specially trained to work with those types of problems. Any of these professionals may also have an area of specialty, such as Eating Disorders, Angry adolescents, Marital therapy… Feel free to ask questions and determine the type of professional best suited for your situation.

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How do I schedule an appointment ?
For our office, simply call 414-771-5002. Briefly describe your situation and request that a therapist call you back to discuss your situation. You can schedule directly with the secretary once you have decided whom it is you would like to see.

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How long will it take ?
It is hard to make an exact guess at the number of sessions or length of time treatment requires. We can’t say, for example, “Well depression takes 8 visits and Panic Attacks require 6. Treatment time depends on the severity of the problem, the duration of the problem, the motivation of the client, and the degree of support available outside of treatment. We will try to give you an estimate of how many visits or how long your problem is likely to require, but sometimes new situations arise and there may be a need to change the original plan. You should however, always have a sense of momentum and understanding of how treatment is moving forward in resolution of your situation. Your relationship with your therapist should not be one that fosters dependency and keeps you in treatment year after year.

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How often will I need to go?
This answer again is contingent on the degree of the problem. Most people initially come once a week and then taper off as progress is made. Critical situations however may require more than one session a week. Some people may only come once a month or just show up occasionally for a check-up. Our goal is to get you through your situation as quickly as possible.

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What if we have a marriage problem and my spouse refuses to go ?
This is a tough situation. Obviously in relationship situations both parties are part of the problem and both need to be part of the solution. However, they don’t need to do everything at the same time. If there is a problem that your partner won’t face, you need to get started and do what you can for yourself and the relationship. Hopefully your partner will see the value of your efforts and start working with you on the solution.

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My teenage son thinks only crazy people go see psychologists ?
Everyone can benefit from meeting with a therapist. We all are in the process of growth and therapists are like coaches who help people be successful in that process. Occasionally some people do have a nervous breakdown or become emotionally dysfunctional. The vast majority of our clients are high functioning individuals who are simply going through a tough phase in their life and want to make sure they don’t do anything that will make things worse for themselves. Though people call us Shrinks, we like to think of ourselves as professionals who Stretch others to reach their potential.

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If you have any other questions call us at 414-771-5002.