What's the difference between counseling and therapy?
Do I really need counseling? I can usually handle my problems.
Why do people go to counseling and how do I know if it is right for me?
Do you take insurance, and how does that work?
↓How can counseling help me?
The main thing about counseling is that it gives you a space where you can be yourself and talk about what's bothering you in a safe and caring environment. My only interest is to help you become your most authentic self, unencumbered by low self-esteem, anxiety, fear, depression, grief or stress. Some people just feel overwhelmed, others notice negative patterns in their relationships, while yet others are suffering serious consequences from past trauma--or some combination of it all. In counseling, you will:
- learn positive coping skills
- discover more about yourself, why you are how you are and how you got to be that way
- learn different ways of thinking about yourself and your difficulties, get a fresh perspective
- learn and practice more positive ways of reacting to situations and people--responding rather than reacting
- improve your self-esteem and feel more hopeful and optimistic
- heal past attachment wounds and other trauma
↓What's the difference between counseling and therapy?
In some contexts, these terms can be used interchangeably. Clinical counseling is an approach that, while making diagnoses where necessary, sees the client holistically. We aim to go beyond symptom reduction, aiming for wellness in all areas of our clients' lives. The boundaries can be a bit fuzzy, and for legal purposes, counseling falls under the umbrella of "psychotherapy".
↓Do I really need counseling ? I can usually handle my problems.
You can usually handle your problems? Great! But you're here thinking about getting some help, which means you might be feeling a little overwhelmed. Having enough self-awareness to realize that what's going on is more than the usual ups and downs of life and being willing to get help are admirable. If you really don't know whether you need counseling, ask for a consultation. And anyway, who "needs" or doesn't "need" counseling? It's really down to whether or not you could benefit from a little outside guidance, and I reckon most of us need that at some point.
↓Why do people go to counseling and how do I know if it is right for me?
People have many different motivations for coming to counseling. Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts and creative blocks. As a trauma-focused counselor, my goal is to identify the hurts you carry from the past and clear them out so that they no longer control you. If you wake up every day and your heart sinks a little bit, or things feel heavy, you may well find that counseling can help. Also, counseling can be great for simple self-exploration and personal growth. Not everyone who comes to counseling has serious problems. These are things we can clarify during a free consultation.
↓What is counseling like?
The thing to remember is, counseling is a process. You didn't get to feeling how you do in one day, and it's going to take more than one day to do something about it. How much you get out of counseling depends on what you're willing to put in, both in session and at home or work. Sometimes we'll talk, and sometimes we'll do guided visualizations. I won't push you to do anything you don't want to, though I will try to nudge you out of your comfort zone. Counseling is a process of clarifying things, bringing things to the surface that you normally don't notice, learning new skills and trying out new behavior. Your mind and body want to heal, just like a broken bone knits itself back together. The important thing is that you will never be alone in this process. I'm 100% on your team and my only interest is for you to feel better and truly live your live.
↓What about medication?
Research shows that medication is usually not effective by itself for solving mental-health issues. However, sometimes it can really help. Some conditions respond well to medication, and in cases like depression, medication can give you the energy and stability you need to actively partake in the counseling process. It's hard to work on yourself when you are so anxious you can't think or can hardly get out of bed. We can talk through whether medication might be a good idea for you and take it from there.
↓Do you take insurance, and how does that work?
I currently accept Aetna, Cigna, Healthnet/MHN, Tricare/TriWest, Medical if administered through Blue Cross, and Victims of Crime.
To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers. Some helpful questions you can ask them:
- What are my mental health benefits?
- What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
- How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
- How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
- Is approval required from my primary care physician?