What about privacy?
There are several laws and ethical guidelines in place to protect you and your family’s information and I work diligently to ensure that I follow these. There are however certain situations where I am obliged to supersede confidentiality; emanate threat to self or others, suspected abuse that meets the mandated reporting criteria for CPS/APS. However, your case document can be released at your request with a signed release of information. At our first session these situations will be explained in more depth.
Do teens have the right to confidentiality?
Yes, teen over the age of 13 have the same privacy rights as adults. This concept often concerns parents, however usually teens are willing to sign a release so that I can speak to parents and keep them informed of progress that occurs. This concern can also be decreased by combining family sessions along with individual.
Reasons people talk themselves out of therapy…
1. I don’t have time.
Response: There will never be enough time. If you don’t think you have enough time then you are probably one of the million Americans who are burning the candle at both ends, struggles to balance all your different roles and the needs of those around you. Therapy is You Time. Don’t wait, that perfect moment to work on you will never happen. Seize today and take the time for you.
2. I don’t have the money.
Response: This is certainly a tough economic environment. Financial worries are often related as one of the top reasons for personal stress or divorce. I have competitively set fees in order to be accessible to most clients. Ask yourself, in this competitive and stressful environment, can I afford to not to deal with my baggage and work towards my best self.
3. My partner/family members refuse to come so therapy wouldn’t work.
Response: Though it’s easier and more effective to do couples or family therapy with multiple therapy members, change can be effected in a relationship or family with just one change agent (you). In fact Couples Counseling or Family Therapy often starts with just one client who over time is joined by the other partner or family members.
4. I’m not crazy so therapy isn’t for me.
Response: Crazy to me is seeing a problem in one’s life and repeating it again and again. Therapy is not for “crazy people” but for people who want to find solutions to problems in their life.
5. I don’t want a record of mental health issues following me around when I try to get insurance in the future.
Response: One of the reasons my practice is focused on fee for service is because it allows the extra layer of confidentiality. I do not submit your diagnosis or a summary of your visits to insurance as a therapist on an insurance panel does. Your private information will not be shared with anyone, unless there is the necessity for mandated reporting, or one of the other few reasons specified during the intake process.
6. I don’t want to spend a lot of time and energy going back to my childhood.
Response: Though the past maybe explored a bit, the focus of my therapy is your present life and your future goals.
7. I’m not sure if I would benefit from behavioral health therapy.
Response: You will never know if therapy could have enhanced your life unless you give it a try. Call today and take that first step.