Frequently Asked Questions

What is therapy? 

Therapy is an excellent opportunity for clients to discuss important issues with a trained and objective professional. Through therapy, clients can work through both their present and future challenges. It can be about one specific problem or address multiple issues. The Therapist helps the client by providing them with tools they need to manage their emotions, gain insight, and learn strategies for coping. Therapy can also help clients better understand themselves and their interactions. It can support them in developing new strategies for dealing with difficult situations. Therapy requires an active role from both the client and the Therapist to bring about change. Ultimately, therapy is a collaborative event that can be an enriching experience for those participating. 

Why do people attend therapy sessions?

People seek therapy for various reasons, such as stress management or to address a specific diagnosis. Some individuals may attend therapy due to a particular event that occurred, while others may seek it as a means to work through long-standing issues with the help of a trained and objective professional. Therapy can be beneficial as it empowers clients to feel more in control of their lives and equips them with tools to make better decisions and positive changes. 

How long is therapy? 

A typical therapy session lasts between 45-50 minutes, while group therapy sessions usually run longer. The frequency of therapy sessions depends on the client's needs and circumstances, with most clients meeting weekly or bi-weekly. The duration of therapy will be determined by the therapist and client together.

What is the difference between a therapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist?

As mental health therapists/counselors, the scope of treatment is talk therapy and skill-based interventions. Typically, therapists have their master's degrees and post-master's supervision. This can include people who specialize in clinical counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, and addictions counseling.

Psychologists also provide counseling services and psychological testing for schools, courts, and other entities. This includes Phd and Psyd in Psychology.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in behavior. If medication is necessary, typically in these clients, medication and talk therapy are used together. Medication therapy is not a replacement for talk therapy.

Psychiatrists tend to limit their talk therapy/counseling services and are typically available for medication management. If your therapist feels that you may need medication, they will provide you with a referral to doctors that they may recommend.

What does the initial session look like? 

The initial session will be an initial assessment to discuss the client’s history and needs for treatment. During this first session, the client will have the opportunity to see how therapy will work, review office policies, privacy, and confidentiality, and determine whether or not they are comfortable with the therapist. Side note: Having a positive working relationship with your therapist is vital, so it’s recommended that the client and therapist meet 2-3 times before deciding whether or not the relationship will continue. The therapist will refer the client to specialists or trusted colleagues if they feel someone else might be better able to work with the client.

How do therapists/psychologists collaborate with other professionals? 

Working with school counselors, pediatricians, primary care physicians, psychiatrists, etc., is essential to preserve the continuity of care. With written permission, therapists can provide treatment plans or answer questions that other professionals may have. If a client needs a therapist to work with other professionals, please don’t hesitate to ask.

What is telehealth and what is the program that is used?

Telehealth is providing services via a HIPAA compliant platform such as zoom or from Simple Practice our electronic health record. You will meet your therapist at a scheduled time for 45-50 minutes. 

Will you bill my insurance or do I have to wait to be reimbursed?

Be Well Counseling LLC uses a contracted billing provider to courtesy bill your insurance. We are in-network with a variety of insurance plans. Please contact us if you have questions about your insurance benefits and we will be happy to review these with you.

What is psychological testing and how do I access this? 

Psychological assessment is a series of tests a psychologist conducts to gather information about how people think, feel, behave, and react. The findings are used to develop a report of the person’s abilities and behavior—known as a psychological report—which is then used to make recommendations for the individual’s treatment. We do not guarantee a specific diagnosis and may be able to support you in making recommendations for educational purposes, mental health treatment, and other services that may be appropriate.