Not at all. People who ask for help know when they need it and have the ability to reach out. Everyone needs help now and then. You already have some strengths that you’ve used before, that for whatever reason isn’t working right now. Perhaps this problem feels overwhelming and is making it difficult to access your past strengths. In our work together, we will help you identify what those strengths are and how to implement them again in what is happening now.
The difference is between someone who can do something, and someone who has the training and experience to do that same thing professionally. A mental health professional can help you approach your situation in a new way– teach you new skills, gain different perspectives, listen to you without judgment or expectations, and help you listen to yourself. Furthermore, therapy is completely confidential. You won’t have to worry about others “knowing my business.” Lastly, if your situation provokes a great deal of negative emotion, if you’ve been confiding in a friend or family member, there is the risk that once you are feeling better you could start avoiding that person so you aren’t reminded of this difficult time in your life.
Psychotherapists are clinically trained to help clients with relationship and mental health issues. A psychiatrist, or a Psychiatric PA, is a medical provider who went to school to study medicine and who specializes in the treatment of mental health problems, usually with medication. A psychologist specializes in the testing and research of human behavior and may do counseling.
In some cases a combination of both medication and therapy is the right course of action. 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. Nevada Family Psychiatry has experts in the field of medication management as well, if this is necessary, and we always communicate and work together to make sure everyone is on the same page to help you move forward.
Unfortunately, this is not possible to say in a general FAQs page. It is important to know that each therapy session is unique because each person has different issues and goals for therapy. We tailor our therapeutic approach to your specific needs. In general, it is common to schedule a series of weekly or bi-weekly sessions where each session lasts around 50 minutes. There may be times you are asked to do certain actions outside of the therapy session such as keeping track of certain behaviors or writing down feelings. It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between
It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in sessions back into your life. Beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, if you are receptive to “homework”, I can suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your progress – such as practicing relaxation skills, journaling on a specific topic, reading a pertinent book, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals.
In order to use insurance, it will be necessary for you to receive a mental health diagnosis, which goes on record to pay insurance claims. Your therapist has no control over what happens to insurance records. Most insurance plans do not cover the cost of marriage counseling unless there is a mental health issue(s) associated with reasons for marital problems. For instance, if one partner has a mental health diagnosis that is contributing to the couple issue(s), your insurance may cover this cost.
When submitting services to your insurance company, you will be forming a record of your status and treatment, just like a medical record. That means that in order for insurance to cover this treatment, there must be an illness or disorder, that is diagnosed and reported to the insurance company. Many people do not have concerns about this, or complications with either, but it is important for you to be informed.
When paying cash for therapy sessions, there is more confidentiality in the sense that insurance companies do not have access to the record of a diagnosis or of your treatment. In addition, you are also then able to seek counseling services without being required to have a diagnosis.
All licensed medical professionals are bound by a code of ethics and the law to keep all information confidential unless released from this by written consent of all the parties in treatment. Limits to confidentiality include threats of suicide, suspected child abuse, dependent adult or elder abuse or harm to others and self, and reporting to your insurance company.