Common Questions
How can counseling help me?
A number of
benefits are available from participating in counseling. Licensed Addiction
and Mental Health Counselors can provide an individualized treatment plan,
assist with problem-solving skills and enhance coping strategies in dealing
with life's challenges. Counselors can provide a fresh perspective on a
difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits
you obtain from counseling depends on how well you use the process and put
into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from counseling
include:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
- Developing skills for improving your relationships
- Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek counseling
- Learning new ways to cope with addiction issues
- Managing anger, grief, 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
Do I really need counseling?
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, counseling is for 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 counseling.
Counseling provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools
you need to avoid triggers, relapse, re-direct damaging patterns, and
overcome whatever challenges you face.
Why do people go to counseling and how do I know if it is right for me?
People have many different motivations for coming to counseling. Some
may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new
job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well and have
developed unhealthy coping skills. Some people need assistance
managing addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts and creative
blocks. Counseling can help provide some much needed encouragement and
help with skills to get them through these periods. Others may be at a
point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more
effective with their goals in life. In short, people seeking
counseling are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make
changes in their lives.
What is counseling like?
Because each
person is unique and has different goals, counseling sessions will vary
depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the
current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to
your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the
previous counseling session. Depending on your specific needs and
circumstances, a Chemical Dependency Evaluation may be scheduled, Early
Education/Intervention, or a different level of treatment may be
required. If the legal system is involved, it may require working
within the correctional system and courts.
It is important
to understand that you will get more results from counseling if you actively
participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of counseling is to
help you bring what you learn in session back into your life.
Therefore, beyond the work you do in counseling sessions, your
counselor may suggest some things you can do outside of the sessions to
support your process - such as journaling on specific topics, noting
particular behaviors or taking action on your goals. People seeking
counseling are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to
new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives.
Do you take insurance, and how does that work?
To determine if you have mental health coverage through
your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them.
Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their
answers. Some helpful questions you can ask them:
- What are my mental health benefits?
- What is the coverage amount per counseling session?
- How many counseling 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?
Does what we talk about in counseling remain confidential?
Confidentiality is one of the most important components
between a client and Licensed Addiction Counselor. Successful counseling
requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is
usually not discussed anywhere but the counselor's office. Every
counselor should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure
agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be
shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”.
Sometimes, however, you may want your counselor to share information
or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your Physician,
Naturopath, Attorney), but by law your counselor cannot release this
information without obtaining your written permission.
However,
state law and professional ethics require counselors to maintain
confidentiality except for the following situations:
*
Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders
to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on
information provided by the client or collateral sources.
* If the
therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming
him/herself or has threated to harm another person.