Please see below for commonly asked questions about counseling, If you have any additional questions please feel free to contact me for more information.
Do I need counseling?
I believe anyone can benefit from counseling as everyone struggles to overcome challenges at some point in their life. People attend therapy for a variety of reasons ranging from a desire to learn better stress management and coping skills to learning to manage symptoms of a mental health diagnosis. Some clients are simply looking for someone to listen and provide non-judgmental, compassionate understanding.
How do I find the right counselor for me?
A counseling relationship is like any other relationship in your life, it has to be a good "fit". It is important to feel comfortable with your therapist for counseling to be successful; it may take a few counseling sessions to determine this. You can ask questions about a counselor’s theoretical approach and their "style" as some counselors are directive and provide homework assignments while other therapists are completely non-directive. The most valuable indicator of successful therapy is a good relationship between client and counselor.
What happens in counseling?
Many therapists will have you complete paperwork prior to the first appointment. Typically the first session will be spent completing the initial assessment, gathering information regarding clients history and need for treatment. Office policies, limits of confidentiality will be reviewed at this time. Following initial assessment, client and counselor will work together to identify goals for counseling. Client and therapist should take the first few sessions to determine if they are comfortable working together; sometimes it is not a "fit" and the therapist will provide referrals to another counselor who is able to serve the client’s needs.
How long do people go to counseling?
Individual counseling sessions are 55 minutes. . A counselor can adjust time as needed. Some people attend counseling for as little as a month; others may attend therapy for a year. Client and counselor will work together to determine goals for therapy which will determine length of counseling attendance.
What is an LPC, what does that mean?
Licensed professional counselors (LPCs) are master’s-degreed mental health service providers, trained to work with individuals, families, and groups in treating mental, behavioral, and emotional problems and disorders. To obtain licensure in the state of Missouri an individual must obtain a Master's degree, complete 2,000 hours of post graduate experience as a Counselor in Training or a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor, and must pass the National Counselor Exam (NCE). In order to maintain licensure, an LPC is required to complete a predetermined number of continuing education and uphold the legal and ethical codes in order to maintain licensure.
How confidential are the sessions?
Information disclosed by clients is held completely confidential. However, by law, there are times that confidentiality must be broken. If you threaten to harm yourself or someone else, if child abuse is suspected/reported or if disclosure is ordered by a court of law. If any of these circumstances were to arise, I would do my best to disclose only required information which we would discuss at length and I would proceed in the most professional way possible. If you choose to use insurance, be advised, that therapists are required to submit information to the insurance company regarding your sessions. Information required varies depending on insurance company policies.
Do I need counseling?
I believe anyone can benefit from counseling as everyone struggles to overcome challenges at some point in their life. People attend therapy for a variety of reasons ranging from a desire to learn better stress management and coping skills to learning to manage symptoms of a mental health diagnosis. Some clients are simply looking for someone to listen and provide non-judgmental, compassionate understanding.
How do I find the right counselor for me?
A counseling relationship is like any other relationship in your life, it has to be a good "fit". It is important to feel comfortable with your therapist for counseling to be successful; it may take a few counseling sessions to determine this. You can ask questions about a counselor’s theoretical approach and their "style" as some counselors are directive and provide homework assignments while other therapists are completely non-directive. The most valuable indicator of successful therapy is a good relationship between client and counselor.
What happens in counseling?
Many therapists will have you complete paperwork prior to the first appointment. Typically the first session will be spent completing the initial assessment, gathering information regarding clients history and need for treatment. Office policies, limits of confidentiality will be reviewed at this time. Following initial assessment, client and counselor will work together to identify goals for counseling. Client and therapist should take the first few sessions to determine if they are comfortable working together; sometimes it is not a "fit" and the therapist will provide referrals to another counselor who is able to serve the client’s needs.
How long do people go to counseling?
Individual counseling sessions are 55 minutes. . A counselor can adjust time as needed. Some people attend counseling for as little as a month; others may attend therapy for a year. Client and counselor will work together to determine goals for therapy which will determine length of counseling attendance.
What is an LPC, what does that mean?
Licensed professional counselors (LPCs) are master’s-degreed mental health service providers, trained to work with individuals, families, and groups in treating mental, behavioral, and emotional problems and disorders. To obtain licensure in the state of Missouri an individual must obtain a Master's degree, complete 2,000 hours of post graduate experience as a Counselor in Training or a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor, and must pass the National Counselor Exam (NCE). In order to maintain licensure, an LPC is required to complete a predetermined number of continuing education and uphold the legal and ethical codes in order to maintain licensure.
How confidential are the sessions?
Information disclosed by clients is held completely confidential. However, by law, there are times that confidentiality must be broken. If you threaten to harm yourself or someone else, if child abuse is suspected/reported or if disclosure is ordered by a court of law. If any of these circumstances were to arise, I would do my best to disclose only required information which we would discuss at length and I would proceed in the most professional way possible. If you choose to use insurance, be advised, that therapists are required to submit information to the insurance company regarding your sessions. Information required varies depending on insurance company policies.