Some of our most common questions.
Have other questions? Please don't hesitate to contact us.
Is therapy right for me or my family?
The proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child” has been widely quoted when examining the partnerships required during the growth of our youth. Our “village” has never been more necessary than it is today. We live in a fast-paced, instant information, and pressure-packed world. Today we are faced with a myriad of both challenges and opportunities. Navigating parenthood can be an incredibly daunting undertaking that brings us to the highest of highs then to the lowest of lows. Partnerships and supports are necessary to prepare for tomorrow. We believe at NURTURE that therapists can be a part of your “team” during times that are challenging. Please feel free to email or call NURTURE to discuss whether therapy is appropriate at this time and whether we are a good fit for you.
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
In our experience, even people who have good a social support structure and strong coping skills can be overwhelmed when the circumstances of their lives shift suddenly. New stresses, such as an illness, divorce, new diagnosis, multiple losses, or a series of difficult changes, can erode coping skills. If you are facing these challenges, then therapy may add a valuable layer of support so that you can re-assess and strengthen your coping skills. Therapy can also provide a supportive, caring and outside perspective that may help you uncover harmful patterns and improve upon existing strengths. We fully believe that seeking support is a good indicator of your overall strength to cope.
What is therapy like?
Every therapy session is unique and focused on the client’s specific goals and therefore therapy differs from person to person. In an initial session, questions will be asked about your social, medical, and family history, so that we are able to establish a solid foundation from which to assess how therapy can be most useful to you. In subsequent sessions, which last for approximately 50 minutes, we will work together to develop a set of goals for your time in therapy. The frequency of your sessions based on your needs.
We are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for each of our clients. While you are in our office, you will feel heard, valued, and cared for. We want you to feel physically and emotionally comfortable.
Is medication a substitute for therapy?
Research has consistently shown that while medication can be useful in treating depression, anxiety and other conditions, the best outcomes are obtained when medication is combined with therapy. Therapy focuses on understanding the causes of your emotional experience and on developing long-term coping strategies for managing emotions in a healthy way. Medication is useful to relieve the symptoms of emotional distress, but does not resolve underlying issues. We are happy to work with your psychiatrist or other physician in coordinating your mental health care.
Will you put a label on me?
Many clients are very concerned about diagnostic labels in mental health. We will be happy to talk with you more about diagnosis, and what is involved in diagnosis. With each client we see, we think about their presented concerns, the challenges they face related to those concerns, and what course of treatment will be most helpful. If after several therapeutic sessions it is determined that an individual has a mental health condition it will be discussed and addressed throughout treatment. If medication is necessary you will be referred to a psychiatrist in the area. As stated under the “Insurance” section, if a therapist bills your insurance company, then they are required to have a diagnosis. Insurance companies will not release your benefits without a diagnosis. For clients paying out of pocket, it is not required to have a specific diagnosis (which is one of the primary reasons we do not bill insurance at NURTURE). We are able to develop a treatment plan that best fits your needs without adding a label.
Is therapy confidential?
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and therapist (HIPAA). No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.
However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:
• If you use insurance, the therapist will need to submit identifying information and diagnostic information to your insurance company. This may become part of your permanent health record. You provide permission to share information with insurance as part of the intake paperwork (Again...we do not bill insurance at NURTURE).
• Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse. As mandated reporters, we are required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. We are required to take necessary steps to promote safety, which will include notifying the police.
• If a client intends to harm himself or herself we 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.