What should I expect? Are you going to make me lie down on a couch?

When you come in for your first appointment, our receptionist will greet you. You can give the paperwork that you completed from our website to the receptionist. If you do not have your initial paperwork, the receptionist will give you a copy to complete. The therapists' offices are set up to be comfortable, with a couple of chairs and the therapist's desk. Most clients find the conversation to flow quite naturally once things get started. Together as a team, you and the therapist will decide in which direction to explore.

How long does counseling take?

Counseling is used to address a lot of different issues; therefore, to predict exactly how long counseling takes depends on a lot of issues. The length of treatment depends on the problems that the client is working on, the motivation of the client, and the frequency of the meetings. Across all problems, you can expect therapy to last 8 to 12 sessions. Of course sometimes therapy goes on for 2 sessions while for others or different problems it may continue for 20 sessions or more. Each individual counseling session will last for about 45-50 minutes.

How can therapy help me?

There are a lot of ways that psychotherapy can help. The therapists at PSY Family Services provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping with many issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship problems, grief, stress management, behavioral problems with children/teens, and many other issues. Our therapists can help you attain a better understanding of yourself, as well as your goals and values.

How much will counseling cost? Will my insurance cover it?

Fees vary somewhat, but the standard rate is $75.00 per session. Many insurance policies have some coverage for outpatient mental health, but it varies widely between insurance companies and even between different plans with each insurance company. Most health insurance plans will have a deductible and/or a copay that they expect you to pay for part of the costs of counseling. To find out the details of your coverage, you should call your insurance carrier. They will be able to tell you exactly what they cover. When you make an appointment, we will ask you about the details of any insurance you may have so that we can also contact your insurance carrier to let you know of your financial responsibility. We also have Master's level interns who do counseling on a sliding scale based on your household income. These interns are finishing up their Master's degree or have already completed their Master's degree and are working toward full licensure. All interns are supervised by a clinical supervisor that is fully licensed and the progress of clients are discussed weekly with the clinical supervisor. If you have questions about costs, these issues can be talked over with our office staff before making your first appointment.

Do you prescribe medication?

No. Therapists can not prescribe medication. Medications can be a useful tool in the treatment of certain disorders but must be prescribed by a psychiatrist or your primary care doctor. Theapists are very familiar with the medications that are commonly prescribed and we are glad to work closely with your physician or psychiatrist around any medication questions or issues you may have.