“It’s not always easy, but it’s always possible.”
― Kelly G. Wilson
faqs
i'm scared to start therapy, what should i know?
It takes courage to ask for help. Following our first phone call or email, we will schedule our first appointment. Upon arrival, you will fill out brief paperwork and then we will discuss your goals for therapy in a safe and comfortable space. I will give you my initial impressions and we can decide together if we are a good fit and how we would like to proceed.
how do i know if i need therapy?
Often people wonder if they “need” therapy, but it is interesting they don’t ask the same about exercising or eating healthy. I believe your emotional health merits the same priority as your physical health and that you usually don’t need to work out or go to therapy, though both are incredibly beneficial to your well-being. If you came across my website in search of something, then there is probably a part of you that is seeking and desiring help. Don’t ignore this inner voice; this decision could get you in the best “emotional shape” of your life.
how long will therapy take?
Unfortunately, this is not possible to say in a general FAQs page. Everyone’s circumstances are unique to them and the length of time therapy and life coaching can take to allow you to accomplish your goals depends on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the factors that are driving you to seek therapy in the first place. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular weekly sessions initially, and then space them out as you see progress.
whAT WIll therapy look like for me?
Each session runs 50 minutes and may be once or twice weekly, depending on needs. I begin and end on time in order to respect both of our schedules and put parameters around the counseling process. I offer concierge phone services for those who may be in need of more quick relief and support throughout the week. If you are interested, feel free to discuss this with me.
what if we aren't a good fit?
Counseling and life coaching work best when there is a connection between you and me. Sometimes it happens and sometimes it does not. I connect with most people, but if you feel that someone can better help you after we meet, there will be no hard feelings. I want you to get the help you need.
can you help me?
I would be lying if I said 100% yes. My counseling and life coaching style involves a balance of seeking heart insight as well as giving you tangible steps for movement. If your struggles are beyond the scope of my training and expertise, I will let you know and help you find another counselor or life coach.
what if i have to cancel my appointments?
There maybe a time or two when you need to cancel an appointment. That is completely understandable. But if you cancel or reschedule your appointment without 24 hours prior notice, you will be charged your full session fee of $111. I like to be upfront about my cancellation policy so there is no confusion.
are our sessions confidential?
Your sessions with me remain confidential with a few exceptions that will be explained to you before we start counseling or life coaching. An example of my breaking confidentiality includes you becoming a harm to yourself or someone else. I also actively pursue keeping your client information as confidential as possible. Some communication methods we may use are not guaranteed confidential (including website contact forms, texting, phone calls), but we will also go over those limits to communication confidentiality when we first meet.
do you meet with other clients living in other states via the web?
Yes and no. Due to Licensed Professional Counseling regulations in Texas, I cannot meet with counseling clients residing in other States. I can still meet with coaching clients who live in other States via the web.
why don't you take insurance?
This is a valid question. I used to wonder the same thing when I would go to some health care professionals. I would think, “Why in the world would you not take insurance?” Each clinician is different, but here are my reasons:
- You should have privacy over your client records and treatment plans. Many times counselors spend hours on the phone with insurance companies, taking away time and energy that should be devoted to helping you.
- Insurance companies require diagnosis codes in order for your counseling to be covered. I do not believe giving a diagnosis code to every client is in their best interest.
- Insurance companies dictate how many sessions they will pay to treat your diagnosis. Many times only a handful of sessions are covered.
- With private pay, you have more control over receiving the best care possible.
- Regarding life coaching services, as far as I know, they are never covered by insurance.
I want to get the most out of therapy or life coaching, what can I do to help?
I am so glad you are dedicated to getting the most out of your sessions. Your active participation and dedication is crucial to your success. After all, we only see each other for a session a week. It’s the work you do outside of our sessions that will really help you see your personal growth and development.
what type of clients do you work with?
I work with children, teens and adults in a safe, inviting and confidential setting in San Antonio. My specialty is in self-esteem building and helping people through transition. Because I use an insight oriented approach in therapy, I have seen the best success working with highly motivated clients who are committed and invested in the work involved with their own personal growth.
if i commit to therapy, what can i expect? how can i get the most out of therapy?
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 to meet your goals.
what makes you different from other therapist?
I happen to know exactly whom I am committed and able to help in my therapy practice. I love helping teen girls and women find a renewed sense of love and belonging with their loved ones and with themselves. I love being able to watch all areas of their life improve when they address poor self-esteem, depression, and relationship distress. And, I love seeing how life unfolds in renewed, life-giving and purposeful ways. If this fits what you are looking for I invite you to get in touch with me.
what the heck is acceptance and commitment therapy anyway?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) gets it name from one of its core messages: accept what is out of your personal control, and commit to action that improves and enriches your life.
The aim of ACT is to maximize human potential for a rich, full and meaningful life. ACT (which is pronounced as the word 'act', not as the initials) does this by:
a) teaching you psychological skills to deal with your painful thoughts and feelings effectively - in such a way that they have much less impact and influence over you (these are known as mindfulness skills).
b) helping you to clarify what is truly important and meaningful to you - i.e your values - then use that knowledge to guide, inspire and motivate you to change your life for the better.
The aim of ACT is to maximize human potential for a rich, full and meaningful life. ACT (which is pronounced as the word 'act', not as the initials) does this by:
a) teaching you psychological skills to deal with your painful thoughts and feelings effectively - in such a way that they have much less impact and influence over you (these are known as mindfulness skills).
b) helping you to clarify what is truly important and meaningful to you - i.e your values - then use that knowledge to guide, inspire and motivate you to change your life for the better.
If you have more questions about anything that was written here, please do not hesitate to ask.