Frequently Asked Questions


Q: What is Marriage and Family Therapy?
A: A family's patterns of behavior influences the individual and therefore may need to be a part of the treatment plan. In marriage and family therapy, the unit of treatment isn't just the person - even if only a single person is interviewed - it is the set of relationships in which the person is part of. Marriage and family therapy is: brief, solution-focused, and specific, with attainable therapeutic goals

Q: Why do people come to therapy?
A: It can be helpful have someone listen and understand. People seek professional help when there is need to respond to unexpected changes in their lives, while others seek self-exploration and personal growth. When coping skills are overwhelmed by guilt, doubt, anxiety, or despair, therapy can help. Counseling can provide support, problem solving skills, and enhanced coping for challenging life situations such as grief, loss, transition, depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, unresolved childhood issues, stress management.

Q. What can I expect in a therapy session?
A. During sessions you will talk about why you have come to therapy. At the beginning of therapy we will explore your primary concerns. Regularly, we will evaluate how well therapy is meeting your needs and make adjustments when needed. Sessions are typically once per week lasting 50 minutes. Yet, your personal needs and goals will determine how long and how often we meet. Sometimes it can be helpful to return to a therapist you have an ongoing relationship with for occasional “tune-ups”, when you feel stuck on need extra help with a difficult situation.

Q: What benefits can I expect from working with a therapist?
A: There can be multiple benefits received in therapy. A counselor can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. Many people find therapy to be a tremendous help when trying to cope with challenging life changes; loss of a loved one, family relationship problems, career moves, life cycle transitions, loss of purpose. The benefits from therapy depend on your commitment to practicing what you’ve learned during the process. Some benefits of therapy include:

  • Attaining a better understanding of yourself and your personal goals and values
  • Developing skills for improving your relationships
  • Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek counseling
  • Find new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
  • Managing anger, depression and other emotional pressures
  • Improving communications skills – learn how to listen to others, and have others listen to you
  • Getting “unstuck” from unhealthy patterns – breaking old behaviors and develop new ones
  • Discovering new ways to solve problems
  • Improving self-esteem and boosting self confidence

Q: Why don’t you accept insurance?
A: There are several advantages to paying for therapy sessions out-of-pocket (also called fee-for-service or self-pay), a few very important ones include:

1) Privacy: When you are not going through an insurance company for mental health services, your private health information stays in my office. I am the only person who has access to it except under specific circumstances which are outlined in the Informed Consent packet and discussed in the first session. Insurance companies have numerous people examining your files at various stages.

2) Control: The number of sessions you may attend when you pay out-of-pocket is up to you. Often, insurance companies will authorize a certain number of sessions. They also reserve the right to stop paying for sessions for a variety of reasons.

3) Your future: Did you know that you can be denied insurance benefits for a previous mental health diagnosis? If you use your insurance to pay for mental health, your practitioner must designate a diagnosis for your issue (e.g. major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder). If you wish to purchase health insurance in the future, your mental health records will be reviewed and you and your family maybe be denied coverage. Paying out-of-pocket ensures that no insurance company ever knows you were seen by a therapist.

4) Is therapy confidential? In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and a psychotherapist. Information is not disclosed without written permission. However, there are a number of exceptions to this rule. Exceptions include:

  • Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
  • If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s. The therapist must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
  • If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in insuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, further measures may be taken without their permission in order to ensure their safety.