Common Questions
What is counseling?
According to the American Counseling Association, counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.
Counseling (or therapy) assists you examine the behaviors, thoughts and feelings that are causing you difficulties. It helps you understand effective ways to deal with your problems by building upon personal strengths. A professional counselor or psychotherapist will encourage your personal growth and development in ways that foster your interest and welfare. Therapists and clients work together to understand problems and come up with plans for fixing them. The focus is generally on changing ineffective thoughts, emotions or behaviors. Most therapy focuses on individuals, although psychotherapists also work with couples, families and groups. To find a counselor , ask your physician or another health professional or look up counselors by specialty using directory such as Psychology Today. Family and friends may also have recommendations, and you might consider inquiring at your church, synagogue, or Temple.
When should someone seek counseling?
From childhood through late adulthood, there are certain times when we may need help addressing problems and issues that cause us emotional distress or make us feel overwhelmed. When you are experiencing these types of difficulties, you may benefit from the assistance of an experienced, trained professional. A counselor can help you identify your problems and assist you in finding the best ways to cope with the situation by changing behaviors that contribute to the problem or by finding constructive ways to deal with a situation that is beyond your personal control. Professional counselors offer help in addressing many situations that cause emotional distress, including, but not limited to:
- Anxiety, depression, and other mental and emotional disorders
- Family and relationship issues
- Parenting concerns
- Substance abuse and other addictions
- Traumas including sexual abuse and domestic violence
- Eating disorders
- Career change and job stress
- Social and emotional difficulties related to disability and illness
- Adopting to life transitions
- The death of a loved one
(Source: American Counseling Association)
What is the difference between a counselor, psychologist, and psychiatrist (or psychiatric nurse practitioner)?
Counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, and social workers are all professionals who specialize in the treatment of emotional or psychological problems. The difference is in the type of education that each professional receives and the focus of training along the path to obtaining qualifications. For example, licensed professional counselors have either a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a related field which included an internship and coursework in human behavior and development, effective counseling strategies, ethical practice, and other core knowledge areas. Clinical psychologists usually have a doctoral level of training. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the branch of medicine that focuses on mental health issues while psychiatric nurse practitioners are Master’s or doctoral level nurses specializing in medications relative to mental health
All professionals who treat emotional or psychological problems adhere to a strict code of ethics that protects client confidentiality, prohibits discrimination and requires understanding of and respect for diverse cultural backgrounds.
What is Family Systems Therapy?
The Family Systems approach to therapy proposes that people are best understood as members of a complex social system (family, significant others, friends, colleagues, etc.) rather than as isolated individuals. Just as a mechanic would investigate the computer system of a car to diagnose problems, family systems therapists consider a client’s issues as symptoms of a problem within their wider social and family network. As therapists help clients become aware of their role in an interconnected system, it shifts the blame away from others and toward self-responsibility, leading to improved relationships, reduced emotional pain, and a more satisfying life.
Will my health insurance cover counseling sessions?
Insurance companies as well as Medicaid and government sponsored health coverage programs are required to cover mental health services by a psychologist, social worker or licensed professional counselor. However, you are still responsible for your medical deductible or copays. If you do not have health insurance, we may be able to offer reduced fee services or recommend a low cost service such as group therapy. We may also be able to recommend other agencies that provide services for low or no fee.
How much does counseling cost?
The cost of counseling varies depending on your geographic location and whether counseling is being provided by a community mental health center or similar agency or by a counselor in private practice (such as Still Waters Counseling). For clients without health insurance who cannot afford the counselor’s standard fee, some private practice counselors will lower their fee on a sliding scale basis or will work out a payment plan. Your counselor should explain to you, prior to beginning the counseling relationship, all financial arrangements related to professional services.
At Still Waters Counseling, we assist you in estimating what your insurance might pay and what your out of pocket cost may be. However, co-pays and deductible fees are payable at the time of service. See our Fee Agreement, found in our Client Forms tab, to learn more about specific costs. We are very willing to work with you regarding your bill if you have trouble paying your portion.
How do I choose a counselor?
As a starting point, a client should ascertain that the psychologist, therapist or counselor he or she is considering is licensed by the state where he/she practices. Ideally, a patient would have evidence that the therapist is effective — has this therapist helped patients in the past? Because this evidence may be difficult to find easily, consumers often rely on word of mouth — the testimonial of friends who have benefited from treatment from a particular clinician. When you call Still Waters our scheduling professionals will help you find the best fit for you.
After therapy begins, the best cue is the patient’s experience: Does this therapist understand me? Does the treatment plan make sense to me? Do I believe this therapist will help me? Apart from the therapist having legitimate training and credentials, the most important thing might be to assess the level of comfort you feel with the professional you choose
(Source: American Psychological Association)
How long does counseling take?
Together, a patient and therapist determine how often to meet and when treatment will end. Patients typically experience a positive response to psychotherapy quite rapidly at first and then the pace of progress might slow down as deeper issues start to get addressed. Ideally, counseling ends when the problem for which you pursued counseling becomes more manageable or is resolved. Treatment length depends on the problems or disorder, patient goals, patient history and characteristics, events occurring outside of therapy (e.g., divorce, change in employment status), and therapeutic progress.
Please note that some insurance companies and managed care plans may limit the number of sessions for which they pay. You should check with your health plan to find out more about any limitations in your coverage.
Is everything I say confidential?
All licensed members of professional organizations such as the American Counseling Association and the American Psychological Association subscribe to strict codes of ethics and standards of practice. This requires counselors, psychologists and other mental health professionals to protect the confidentiality of their communication with clients. Most state licensure laws also protect client confidentiality. As a client, you are guaranteed the protection of confidentiality within the boundaries of the client/counselor relationship. Any disclosure will be made with your full written, informed consent and will be limited to a specific period of time.
The only limitations to confidentiality occur when a counselor or psychologist believes that there is clear and imminent danger to you or to others, or when legal requirements demand that confidential information be disclosed, such as a court case. Whenever possible, you will be informed before confidential information is revealed.