Is coaching, counseling, therapy, or mediation right for me?

Seeking a personal professional service like coaching, counseling, therapy, or mediation is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people choose these services. Sometimes it is in response to unexpected changes in one's life such as a divorce, changes in a relationship, or a work transition. Other times it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Many seek the advice of a coach, counselor, or therapist as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with me can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges.

During our initial conversations we'll decide whether coaching, counseling, therapy, or mediation would be the most effective  primary service model to address your current needs and issues. All of my professional services are client-centered so I will be continually checking in with you to see if what we are doing is working for you. We might start with a primary service model but because of my training and experience I can offer you other options as we work togther.

Coaching is goal-directed, action-oriented and forward moving. It assists people to identify specific goals and then reach those goals faster and with ease. It provides clients with the tools, perspective and structure to accomplish more through a process of accountability. It helps clients reframe beliefs and create a point of focus to reflect upon.

Counseling is similar to coaching, and in addition to the features mentioned above it may work with you to seek an understanding how the past has influenced the present. Also, in counseling more specific information or advice may be offered to the client.

Therapy helps address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general life transitions. Within the therapy process there may be times when coaching or counseling are done to help you in your current situation. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.

Mediation is a process to help facilitate disagreements between two or more people. It is goal-directed, action-oriented and forward moving.

Do I really need coaching, counseling, or therapy?  I can usually handle my problems.

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, my services are usually used by people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking coaching, counseling, or therapy. My personal professional services provide long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.


How can coaching, counseling, or therapy help me?

A number of benefits are available from participating in personal professional services. I can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that I am a tremendous asset to managing their personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Working with me  can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from coaching, counseling, or therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from using my personal professional services include:

• Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
• Developing skills for improving your relationships
• Finding resolution to the issues or concerns
• Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
• Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
• Improving communications 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

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What is coaching, counseling, and therapy like?

Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. It is standard for therapists to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around fifty minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect out of therapy:

• Compassion, respect and understanding
• Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
• Real strategies for enacting positive change
• Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance
  

Is medication a substitute for therapy?

In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you. It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.

Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?

To determine if you have mental health coverage, the first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage carefully and find the answers to the following questions:

• 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?

Is therapy confidential?

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.

However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:

• Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.
• If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.