Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can therapy help me?

A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide empathy, support, insight, problem-solving skills, education, interventions and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, marriage and relationship issues, parenting, unresolved childhood issues, grief, transition & change, personality disorders, addictions and codependency. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal dynamics & patterns, family concerns, marriage conflict and the struggles of daily life. Therapists can help to mend broken attachments, provide a fresh perspective or guide you in the direction of change. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on your motivation, how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

  • Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your spouse and children.
  • Developing skills and techniques for improving your relationships
  • Implementing change for the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
  • Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
  • Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
  • Improving communication and listening skills
  • Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
  • Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
  • Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

Q: Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.

Everyone goes through challenging situations and seasons in life. While you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need to seek out help like one would with a medical doctor for a physical illness. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and taking a step to grow. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to repair and heal relationships, avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome issues you face.

Q: Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it is right for me?

People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy. 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. Others may be in crisis such as on the verge of a divorce, infidelity or alcohol or drug addiction. Therapy can help provide some much needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods. And some may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their values & goals in life. People seeking psychotherapy may be hurting, lonely and feel stuck making changes in their lives.

Q: What is therapy like?

Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and discover your feelings, fears or needs. Education and new insights will be gained as well as practical applications to bring change. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or personal development.

Q: What about medication vs. psychotherapy?

It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the root cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that may block our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. Working with your medical doctor we can determine what's best for you, and in some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.

Q: Do you take insurance, and how does that work?

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?
Q: What kind of therapy services are offered?

We offer:

  • Individual Adult Therapy for men and women
  • Couples Therapy
  • Family Therapy
  • Couples Intensives
  • Family Intensives
  • Individual Intensives
  • Couples Workshops & Retreats
  • Groups for Men & Women
  • Groups for Couples
  • Trainings for Church Leadership & Staff
Q: What is a Marriage Intensive?

A marriage intensive is a customized focused individual treatment program for couples in need of help. The process has been proven to be more effective in increasing the likelihood of a couple staying married than individual weekly sessions over a longer period of time.

An Intensive is equivalent to months of Individual couples session in a compacted period of time where there is room and space to unpack the deep root issues and causes to the issues. Education, insight as well as experiential exercises are used as desired.

There are breaks for snacks & meals. Couples choose from 2, 3 or 4 day intensives. There is scheduling flexibility depending on your needs.

You will receive a workbook, a personal video of your communication dynamics with your spouse if desired, and an assessment summary and recommendations as individuals and as a couple. You will also leave with customized tools, skills and exercises to take home.

Q: What will I learn in an Intensive?

You will learn to:
* Repair and Past Hurts
* Gain insight & understanding to your conflicts and behaviors
* Deepen your Bond and Connection
* Develop Empathy
* Take Responsibility
* Change Patterns & Cycles
* Reduce Blame
* Dialogue about feelings & needs
* Provide Comfort
* Listen with Compassion
* Express your Authentic Self
* Restore Trust
* Understand & Strengthen Attachment
* Increase Safety
* Learn to Forgive
* Rekindle Intimacy

Q: Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called "Informed Consent". Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your Physician, Naturopath, Attorney), but by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.

However, state law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:

* Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
* If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threated to harm another person.

In the case a report needed to be made the therapist would inform the client.

Q: How long are therapy sessions?

This depends on your needs and situation. Most people come weekly for 50 minutes, 1 hour, 1.5hrs or 2 hrs. Sometimes when working with couples we have longer blocks of time booked. During Intensives we can go up to three or four days in a row to get comprehensive treatment more quickly.

Q: What do I wear?

Dress however you like whether you're coming from home or work. Please feel free to dress is casual and comfortable in jeans, shorts or sweats.

Q: What about food, drinks and bathrooms?

We have bathrooms on site and water available for all clients. Please feel free to bring any food or drink to therapy sessions that you like! For intensive days we provide snacks, coffee and drinks throughout the day.

Q: What about bringing dogs to therapy?

We love dogs and actually believe pets can be healing and soothing. We also believe they can facilitate attachment and help with loneliness.

Q: What is the price?

Please call or email for a price list as it depends on the service and amount of time requested.

Q: What services do we provide?

Trainings for other licensed therapists on giving Intensives.