Counseling FAQs
What can I expect from Counseling?
Counseling is a process of exploring your inner world, deepening your understanding of yourself, while developing skills and strategies for navigating the world, all while reducing the overall impact that symptoms have on your functioning.
What can therapy help with?
Therapy can help with emotional regulation, interpersonal difficulties, life transitions, grief, mental health diagnoses (anxiety, depression, ptsd, etc.), and more. Therapy is meant to help improve overall quality of life.
How much does it cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on insurance plans. The best way to know how much you will pay for your sessions is to contact your insurance provider and ask about your benefits for mental health care. Our mental health services are considered in network with most Blue Cross Blue Shield, Health Partners, Aetna, Medica, United Behavioral Health and United Medical Resources. For those not using insurance, an intake therapy appointment costs $190 and subsequent sessions cost $165.
How will I know if it’s working?
Therapists and clients determine goals they are working towards together early on in the process. These goals should be reviewed periodically to help measure if progress is happening. Often progress is therapy occurs in small increments instead of a big moment or change. This is most readily seen in evaluating behaviors changes, emotional reactivity, and overall perceptions of one’s own capabilities.
How long does it Take to help?
The length of time someone is in counseling really depends on a few factors; their goals, the frequency of their sessions, participation in sessions, and implementation of skills/knowledge outside of sessions to name a few. For some people a few weeks of therapy feels like enough and others choose to participate for years.
IFS. CBT. EMDR… what do those things mean?
These are different types of therapy modalities that therapists use in their sessions. This includes how a therapist conceptualizes a clients presenting problem, ways to approach therapy goals, and interventions. There is not a right or wrong, better or worse, modality, just what the therapist is competent in and is most effective for the client. A lot of therapists use a combination of modalities.
Can you prescribe medication?
No. Mental health therapists (LPC, LPCC, LICSW, LCSW, LMFT) cannot prescribe medications due to having no medical training.
Do I need a diagnosis to get care?
Insurance companies require that clients receive a diagnosis from the DSM in order for their services to be covered by their health insurance. If you choose to use insurance, you and your therapist will discuss a diagnosis appropriate for your presenting symptoms.