General questions
general questions
Contents
Confidentiality ⬦ Interacting with the therapist ⬦ Therapy expectations ⬦ Duration of sessions ⬦ Frequency between sessions ⬦ Discontinuation of therapy ⬦ Therapist credentialing ⬦ Remote therapy
What happens during therapy?
We will start by discussing the reason that brought you to me.
It's important to understand that immediate resolutions to a quantifiable list of concerns per session are plausibly unrealistic.
We will discuss your goals and develop a plan during sessions as well as homework expectations outside of therapy.
Revealing past experiences and current circumstances can be emotionally challenging. The process of therapy is an awakening journey allowing clients to assemble their own resolutions.
Imagine the therapist as a guide to psychological discovery: revealing resources for each client to move forward in their life.
This article gives an excellent perspective of anticipations and expectations of therapy.
Schedule sessions where there is downtime post-session to reflect; i.e. not rushing to work
Interview your clinician
Talk about anything including therapy itself
Set goals to accomplish each session
Set goals to accomplish between sessions
Use discretion with whom you reveal therapy life to avoid undermining your decision
How do I contact you? I'm shy. I feel embarrassed.
Reaching out to a therapist can be intimidating at first. I understand. Emailing provides a simple low-intensity method of reaching out with a concern. Just simply state that you want to talk about something & we’ll go from there.
Our phones & various devices dominate our lives now it seems. Phone notifications are great. Just be aware that normal therapy practice workflows will result in alerts sent to you such as email notifications; e.g. booking sessions will generate an email from SimplePractice each time.
Just be aware of this and understand the consequence with respect to your privacy.
I respond the quickest through this contact form, then direct email, then phone. When calling, please leave a voicemail with your name and number.
Am I protected by client confidentiality?
By default, yes.
Privilege will be revoked if you have plans on harming yourself, others; or if you have knowledge of another party with plans to do so.
It is also my choice to revoke privilege to prior undiscovered criminal acts.
Refer to the intake forms in SimplePractice for more information.
Can I come more than originally prescribed?
Clients may inquire about maintenance sessions.
What if I decide not to continue therapy?
This is each client's choice. I may follow up to verify that you are okay, but I will not pressure you to continue therapy. There is no legal requirement to have therapy unless it is court-ordered.
How many sessions will I need?
A broad template approach is one session per week for four to eight weeks, however, there is no script determining how clients will respond to therapy. It is fluid and dynamic.
It is the opinion of the clinician to prescribe a schedule and the discipline of the client to commit to the schedule. Some clientele possesses a higher frequency of several times per week for several months.
I will recommend a schedule to you and it is your choice to proceed with the recommendation.
What are the differences between providers?
The client decides to choose a therapist with who they feel most comfortable. Each provider has a unique academic path and clinical philosophy having diverse salience to each client and provider.
In summary ..
Psychologists claim a doctorate of philosophy either a Ph.D. or Psy.D. that provides an opportunity for research and gain specialty in a psychological field such as forensics for expert testimony. Psychologists have more professional lateral movement than master-level clinicians. They offer diagnostic testing for disorders, in addition, provide therapy.
Note: A doctorate of philosophy is typically a prerequisite for academia.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors either allopathic, MD; or osteopathic, DO, that have completed a residency in mental health. Psychiatrists can utilize psychotherapy in conjunction with prescribing medication and have expanded lateral choice as to what psycho-physical capacity they desire to act.
A licensed professional counselor—LPC credentialing allows master of art, MA; or master of science, MS, degree level to become a provider. Licensing boards have varying requirements per state with a cumulative graduate hour of either 48 or 60 appearing to be the most common variant. LPCs typically possess more professional lateral movement compared to other colleagues such as MFTs, as LPCs can work with anyone including individuals, couples, with any mental disorder affecting mental health.
An LPC Intern may not accept insurance unless authorized by their supervisor, thus, they typically offer compressed cash-only fee schedules until the granting of a full license. LPC Interns may not be in private practice.
Other types of social workers include LCSW, MSW, LCDC. There are varying degree levels per each credential status with varying hour requirements.
Specialty certifications have their respective prerequisites including the length of time as a post-graduate practitioner, degree level, and provide training in exciting fields such as trauma; incorporating for example the theory of EMDR.
Applied behavioral analysis or ABA is a divergent branch of psychology that focuses only on controlling external factors without considering the psychological profile of a person. Behavior therapy has shown high efficacy in treating persons with autism.
Can I seek help for issues outside of your specialty?
Yes. Specialties are areas that I'm either passionate about or have direct experience with although I am not confined to what I've openly described.
Remote therapy?
The pandemic has allowed virtual sessions to flourish, in addition, I desire to be progressive in my field and extend the therapeutic setting in a video conferencing format. Remote therapy is simply speaking to me either on the phone, as in a typical phone call, or a Skype/ Zoom video conference.
I am licensed to practice by the State of Texas only. Therefore, all clients must be either a) physically located within the geopolitical borders of the State of Texas, or b) a Texas resident without respect to your physical location to be eligible for remote sessions.
I feel functional. Do I need therapy?
Although results vary for each client, studies show talk therapy enriches the well-being of those that participate and express a desire to improve the compartments of their person.