How can counseling help me?

An individual can benefit from participating in counseling in a number of different ways. Counselors can provide support, problem-solving skills, and coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, and body image issues. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal and spiritual growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the struggles of daily life. Counselors can provide a fresh biblical perspective on a difficult problem or point to solutions as you walk through a difficult time in life. The benefits obtained from counseling depend on how you engage with the process and put into practice what you learn. 

Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

  • A better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
  • Developing skills for improving your relationships
  • Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek counseling
  • Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
  • Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
  • Improving communication and listening skills
  • Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
  • Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
  • Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

Do I really need counseling?

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life. While you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you’ve faced, there’s nothing wrong with seeking extra support when you need it. In fact, counseling is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand. That is a strength to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you are in life and making a commitment to change the situation through counseling. Counseling provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.

What is counseling like?

Because each person has different issues and goals for counseling, counseling will differ depending on the individual.  In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous counseling session.

Prayer will be offered, but you are free to decline if you wish. Christian faith, the Bible, and prayer will be integrated into the counseling process to whatever extent you are comfortable with.

Depending on your specific needs, counseling can be short-term (for a specific issue) or long-term (to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development). Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your counselor (usually weekly or biweekly).

It is important to understand that you will get more results from counseling if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of counseling is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in counseling sessions, your counselor will suggest some things you can do outside of counseling to support your process – such as tracking thoughts, feelings, or behaviors, doing a take-home assignment with your spouse, reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, or taking action on your goals. People who receive the most benefit from counseling are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives, and take responsibility for their lives.

Does what we talk about in counseling remain confidential?

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and counselor. Successful counseling requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the counseling office.  State law and professional ethics require counselors to maintain confidentiality except for situations that affect safety. If you desire for your counselor to share information with someone else (such as your Physician, Psychiatrist, Attorney), you can provide written consent. 

Do you accept insurance? How does that work?

We accept Blue Cross / Blue Shield insurance. If you have another insurance, we can provide you with a written statement that you can submit to your insurance carrier for reimbursement.

To determine if you have mental health coverage, the first thing you should do is call your insurance provider. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers. 

Here are some helpful questions you can ask:

  • What are my mental health benefits?
  • What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
  • How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
  • How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
  • Is approval required from my primary care physician?

It is important to know that insurance usually does not cover marriage counseling.

What is the cancellation policy?

Your therapist has set aside that time for you and you only. Another client who needs an appointment may have missed an opportunity to be seen if you don’t arrive at your scheduled time. Appointments must be cancelled 24 hours in advance to avoid paying for the session. Please speak with your therapist to discuss the reason for the late cancellation or missed appointment if the reason was out of your control.