Q: I’m a bit uncertain about coming in for counseling. Can you help me with this issue?
First of all, congratulations on the courage it takes to recognize that you may be in need of help or support. Being able to reach out is a critical life skill, and we commend you on that. Considering therapy can be scary and we encourage you to call and find out more about our practice. We welcome the opportunity to answer any questions you may have and let you get a feel for who we are and how we work.
Q: What is psychotherapy?
The less aware we are of our thoughts, feelings, motives and behaviors, the more they control us. Psychotherapy or counseling helps people understand their “stories”; the experiences that shaped them, the defenses that have helped protect them and the patterns or habits that are now preventing them from living a satisfying life.
Psychotherapy is a dialogue. Each client presents information, the therapist offers ideas about its meaning, the client responds with their interpretation, and so on. It is important that psychotherapy progresses at a pace that is comfortable and safe for each person. Change can feel frightening or overwhelming, and may not occur quickly.
Q: What can I expect from my first appointment with a therapist?
Many people feel nervous before their first appointment, wondering what their therapist will ask, or what they should tell their therapist. Your therapist will primarily want to hear the reasons you made the appointment, what you have already done to try and solve the problem, and what you hope to accomplish in therapy. To better understand you, your therapist will likely want to know how things are going in the important parts of your life (relationships, work, school, etc.) as well as information about your background. If you and your therapist decide to continue working together, you will begin developing goals for therapy. If you do not feel comfortable with your therapist for any reason, please say so, and your therapist will be happy to provide you with a referral to another therapist.
Q: Will counseling really help me?
Some people begin to feel better as soon as they make their appointment or at the time of their first session. There can be a sense of relief when you make the commitment to address an issue that is problematic. More often, however, people do not feel better immediately. Therapy is sometimes emotionally painful, because it involves an active effort to look at yourself and your life situations in a very deep and honest way, and to make some difficult changes. If the problems that bring you to therapy were easy to solve, you would have solved them without the guidance of a professional. Though the short-term distress of addressing problems and making changes may feel challenging, keep in mind that the potential long-term gains can feel well worth it. When therapy is successful, the positive gains in self-esteem, improved relationships and coping skills will far outweigh the distress of making changes.
Q: What can counseling or psychotherapy do for me that a self-help book can’t?
Self-help books contain generalizations, based on someone else’s story, or on a combination of stories. While self-help books play an important role in our culture, they don’t offer the flexible, individualized approach that is often needed to bring about lasting life changes. In addition, books do not offer the therapeutic relationship that can encourage us and hold us to a greater level of accountability.
Q: How often are the sessions?
Psychotherapy, or “talk” therapy, is most effective when done in a consistent manner, so most often psychotherapy sessions are once weekly or twice each month. That said, we are flexible and can personalize a schedule that works best for you.
Q: How do I choose the right therapist for me?
Read our therapist’s profiles to determine which person’s approach and specialties feel right for you. If you need additional help in choosing a therapist, feel free to call the office, and our Director will assist you.
Most people can tell after an initial session whether they feel comfortable with a therapist’s style. Please feel free to speak up if you do not feel comfortable with the therapist, it will not offend us whatsoever. We want you to feel that you can develop an alliance of trust with your therapist – that is when therapy works best. We want to help you get to the right therapist.
Q: Do you have evening or weekend hours?
Yes, we have day, late afternoon, evening, and weekend appointments available.
Q: I’m concerned about the cost. Do you take insurance?
We are in network with most commercial insurances. Please see our insurance page for more information. Some insurance companies require the insured to call and pre-certify the first session. Our office also collects co-pays, co-insurance and/or outstanding deductibles at each visit. It is always best to contact your insurance company before coming in for your first visit to determine what your specific coverage is.
Q: Do you accept credit cards?
Yes, we accept Visa and Mastercard. We are also able to accept payment from most HAS or Flexible Savings Account debit cards or credit cards.
Q: Where are you located?
We are located at 391 South Shore Drive Suite #214 Battle Creek, MI 49014 in the Oakridge Office Park.
Q: What about medication?
Although our training is to treat you using sound therapeutic skills, there are times when a medication referral is warranted. If your therapist thinks that medication might be helpful, he/she will discuss a referral to a health professional who is trained in working with emotional and behavioral issues – most often, a psychiatrist. At other times, there may be medical issues your therapist believes should be addressed, since feeling good requires being physically as well as emotionally healthy. As with other aspects of treatment, whether or not you choose to accept your therapist’s recommendation is ultimately your decision.
Q: Can I ask more questions?
Sure! Just give us a call at (269) 964-0153