1. How
do I make an appointment?
2.
What are the advantages of
not using my health insurance?
3.
How many sessions will I need?
4.
What about medication?
5.
I am concerned about how others
will react to my changes. How do I handle this?
6.
How can counseling or psychological
services help me?
7.
How do I know if I need counseling?
8.
What are “women’s”
or “men’s” issues?
9.
What are the differences between
a Psychiatrist, a Counselor, and a Psychologist?
10.
What are the differences between
the terms therapist and psychotherapist?
11.
What happens in therapy sessions?
12.
What if I don’t like
my counselor?
1.
How do I make an appointment?
Call our office
at (330) 475-1870 and let our office staff know some
basic information about the problem, the urgency of the problem, and
the times you are available. Also let us know if you wish to
use your health insurance or not.
2. What are the advantages of not using my health
insurance?
The advantages
of not using your health insurance are that no pre-authorization is
required, there is no hassle about pre-existing conditions, your treatment
is more confidential because no diagnosis is recorded with your insurance
company, and you control the length of your therapy.
3. How many sessions will I need?
This depends
on your personal situation. Some problems can be resolved briefly,
within 4 to 5 sessions. Some problems are complicated and require
more time or more frequent sessions. You and your counselor
will determine the best option for your goals.
4.
What about medication?
Many clients
can resolve their problems without medications. If medication
is necessary, Dr. Smith can address this need and consult with your
therapist about your progress, conveniently keeping all of your services
within the same office.
5.
I am concerned about how others will react to my changes. How
do I handle this?
Change usually
brings with it some initial discomfort, until new habits become more
comfortable and familiar. We will help you make these adjustments
within yourself and also tolerate the reactions of others. Family
or marital sessions can be scheduled to assist with the adjustment
process.
6.
How can counseling or psychological services help me?
A counselor or
psychologist serves as an unbiased observer to your problems. They
can help you identify the nature of your problems and the best way
to deal with them. They can assist you when the difficulty is
changing yourself or coping with something that is out of your control.
7.
How do I know if I need counseling?
Counseling is
typically recommended when a person recognizes a problem or an ineffective
pattern in their life that they feel is interfering with their goals
significantly. Often, their own attempts to correct the problem
have not been effective. Just a few examples are difficulty
having successful relationships, difficulty maintaining sobriety,
or difficulty managing anger or stress effectively. Counseling
can also be used to assist people in getting through a crisis, recovering
from a trauma, improving relationships, developing skills or self-esteem,
or improving their quality of life.
8.
What are “women’s” or “men’s”
issues?
Typically, these
issues involve a feeling of dissatisfaction with the traditional expectations
placed on men and women. The person may have “everything
going for me,” as a successful man or woman according to societal
standards, yet feel a dissatisfaction within their life and/or a yearning
for more. Women’s and men’s issues can also encompass
any issues that are specific to being male or female.
9.
What are the differences between a Psychiatrist, a Counselor, and
a Psychologist?
A Psychiatrist
is a medical doctor who specializes in the area of psychiatry. They
attend medical school and can prescribe medications. Although
they are trained to do psychotherapy, many focus on the medical aspect
of psychology such as managing medications and performing psychiatric
evaluations.
A Counselor
attends graduate school and has an advanced degree in some area of
psychological counseling. They are trained extensively in several
aspects of psychotherapy and specialize in diagnosing and treating
mental and emotional disorders. Their role is to help people
solve problems, make desired changes, and cope with life challenges.
They do not prescribe medications.
Psychologists
are very similar to Counselors in that they also attend graduate school
and have received an advanced degree in some area of psychology. They
are trained extensively in psychotherapy and specialize in diagnosing
and treating mental illness and administering a variety of psychological
tests. They do not prescribe medications.
10.
What are the differences between the terms therapist and psychotherapist?
The terms therapist
and psychotherapist are often used interchangeably in the mental health
field. These terms refer to the counselor, social worker, psychologist,
etc., who assists people with psychological issues.
11.
What happens in therapy sessions?
Coming to counseling
for the first time can be a frightening experience for some as they
do not know what to expect. Although therapists have different
personalities, philosophical ideas, and approaches to therapy, these
general rules usually apply. The therapist will talk to you
in order to determine what brings you to therapy and how this conflict
is affecting your life. You and your counselor work together
to explore the issues in greater depth, and the therapist assists
you in identifying problematic patterns and setting goals for your
therapy. Together, you will generate an individual plan of action
based on the goals you have set. Although the therapist may
offer suggestions at times, you are encouraged to actively participate
in your sessions. Therapists help you to feel comfortable and
provide a safe environment for you to share your thoughts and feelings.
They do not force you to divulge information you do not choose
to share. Counselors cannot change you or “fix”
you but they do provide support and encouragement as you make the
changes necessary to live a happier life. The counselor cannot
read your mind or take control of your mind in any way.
12.
What if I don’t like my counselor?
It is important
that you establish a good relationship with your therapist in order
to do the work required in therapy. There are many personalities
in the world and it is inevitable that some will clash at times. An
important part of therapy is to provide a safe environment so that
you can express your thoughts and feelings constructively and directly.
With that in mind, we encourage you to address any conflict
with your counselor. After discussing the issues with your counselor,
if you are still unable to resolve the problem, you can schedule with
a different counselor.
