Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently

Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they don’t mean exactly the same thing.
Counseling tends to focus on specific problems and to help you deal with that specific issue.
Examples may include learning specific techniques, focusing on certain coping skills, or improving communication skills.
Counseling tends to be more short-term focused.
Therapy/Psychotherapy tends to focus on a broader range of issues.
Examples may include exploring how you interact with others and yourself, how your thinking affects you, or learning to understand underlying patterns in your behaviors.
Therapy/Psychotherapy tends to be longer-term focused.

I believe it can be the first step towards a new understanding of yourself.
It’s the process of meeting with a licensed professional to discuss and process whatever you’re struggling with right now, or any of the things that may have been problems for you your entire life.
You’ll have an opportunity to learn that you’re not alone, no matter what you’re experiencing. There are many others that are struggling with the same or similar problems, emotions and difficulties.
It’s also an opportunity for you to connect with another person in an authentic way without fear of being judged, abandoned or ridiculed.

I’m not problem focused like many other therapists, I’m life focused.
If we focus on just the problem you have right now and resolve it, great, but there are always going to be other problems in life.
That’s why I focus on your entire life and ways of improving how you manage your life.
I don’t act like I’m the authority on your life, because I’m not – YOU are!
We work together in sessions as collaborators.
I use self-disclosure as a way of normalizing life’s difficulties, as a way of increasing the therapeutic connection/relationship, and hopefully as a way of instilling some hope in you.

I believe the most important aspect of therapy is the relationship between the client (you) and the therapist.
Anytime someone asks me about starting therapy, I tell them the number one thing to look for is how you connect with the person, whether that’s with me or another therapist.
Go with your gut feeling – make sure you feel you can trust the counselor and that he/she gets you.
There’s nothing wrong with “shopping” for therapists by having consultations with therapists before you schedule an appointment.

I believe therapy provides people with an opportunity to meet with a trained professional that’s completely unbiased.
You can talk to friends, family members or coworkers, which can be helpful, but they all have some sort of bias because they know you – it’s not possible to have an unbiased conversation with them.
Their perspective is skewed in some way, so you will not be getting the neutral perspective you need.
In therapy you do!
Plus, I don’t tell you what to do like family, friends, and coworkers might do – I help you with choosing the best options available at the time.

It’s pretty much just like therapy in an office, but with Online Therapy, that office in virtual.
We’ll be having our session via a secure video platform through the Internet using your computer or mobile device.
There’s also the options of doing phone therapy or direct messaging therapy. These are different since we won’t be seeing each other during these types of sessions.

One of the things I enjoy about being a therapist is there isn’t a “one size fits all” approach – everyone is unique.
Typically, each session is about 50 minutes long and we meet once a week or every other week.
Some people are able to accomplish what they want from therapy quickly, sometimes in 1-3 sessions.
Other people find extreme value in ongoing therapy and will continue for years.
Most people tend to be somewhere in between.
It’s been my experience that when clients make at least a six month commitment to therapy, they tend to have the best outcomes.
Ultimately, it will be up to you how long you remain in therapy, but it’s important to realize that it takes effort and active participation from you in order to succeed.

Yes, therapy, as well as Online Therapy, are completely confidential.
Typically, the confidentiality and privacy of each client is protected by state and federal law.
The two exceptions are when there’s suspected child or elder abuse.
When there’s reasonable concern that the person is an imminent danger to self or others.
The Online Therapy platform I use is 100% HIPPA compliant – video, email, messaging, forms, billing, and storage.
There is end-to-end encryption which means your video, email, and messaging therapy sessions are protected ensuring your privacy is maintained.
I’m only allowed to provide protected health information if you sign a release of information allowing me to do so.
It’s your choice whether information is shared with your doctor, other medical providers, or anyone else.
Additional information is provided in my Notice of Privacy Practices. Please read this document carefully, and please ask me any questions you may have.

This is a simple one to answer – No.
You must meet with your PCP, a psychiatrist, or a psychiatric nurse practitioner to be prescribed psychotropic medications.
We’re able to discuss medications during sessions, and explore if they are helping, but it’s up to you and your medical provider if and how you take the medications.

People meet with a therapist for many different reasons including going through major life transitions – divorce – loss of job – grief – etc.
Being in a High Stress Career – First Responders – Military Personnel – Doctors – Executives – Airline Pilots – etc.
Anxiety and depression are very common reasons people meet with a therapist – don’t forget, these are specialties of mine.
Other problems can be substance abuse issues – relationship problems – other addiction issues – mental illness – pain/physical health issues – etc.
Another reason people see a therapist is to learn more about themselves – to increase their self-awareness and hopefully improve life.

If you feel I might be the right fit for you, please contact me so we can get started.

Call 402-999-7640 to schedule an appointment or a free 15 minute consultation.