Frequently Asked Questions
1) How long does therapy usually last?
The length of therapy depends upon the severity of the presenting issue and length of time the patterns have been in place. For issues such as couple communication, it can take as little as 4-6 months. For more complicated issues such as trauma it can take much longer; sometimes several years.
The length of therapy depends upon the severity of the presenting issue and length of time the patterns have been in place. For issues such as couple communication, it can take as little as 4-6 months. For more complicated issues such as trauma it can take much longer; sometimes several years.
2) How do we maximize the benefit of therapy by utilizing the information and tools gained in session in the outside world?
Taking notes during session regarding homework or points made/comments from the therapist leaves you with a tangible resource between sessions. Another way to maximize the benefit of therapy is by challenging yourself to use one or more of the tools practiced or learned about in session and keeping it top of mind as you go through your daily activities.
Taking notes during session regarding homework or points made/comments from the therapist leaves you with a tangible resource between sessions. Another way to maximize the benefit of therapy is by challenging yourself to use one or more of the tools practiced or learned about in session and keeping it top of mind as you go through your daily activities.
3) I need help in my relationship and my partner states they don’t want to come to therapy. What do I do?
Entering into therapy as an individual can eventually spark the curiosity of the partner and encourage them to represent their personal view in order to help the therapist keep a balanced position. It can also help clarify an individual’s needs/wants and assist them in communicating that to their partner. Lastly, changing an individual within the couple usually changes the couple’s interactions.
Entering into therapy as an individual can eventually spark the curiosity of the partner and encourage them to represent their personal view in order to help the therapist keep a balanced position. It can also help clarify an individual’s needs/wants and assist them in communicating that to their partner. Lastly, changing an individual within the couple usually changes the couple’s interactions.
4) What is couples therapy versus conjoint therapy?
Couples therapy is when the therapist approaches their treatment from a position of neutrality and circular causality. In other words, both parties in the couple contribute to causing the upset/issues. Conjoint therapy is when one or the other or both of the parties are diagnosed with a mental disorder and treatment is performed according to the disorder rather than the relationship. At the Center for Couples, we specifically practice couples therapy.
Couples therapy is when the therapist approaches their treatment from a position of neutrality and circular causality. In other words, both parties in the couple contribute to causing the upset/issues. Conjoint therapy is when one or the other or both of the parties are diagnosed with a mental disorder and treatment is performed according to the disorder rather than the relationship. At the Center for Couples, we specifically practice couples therapy.
5) What Can I Expect in Therapy?
First Appointments: Our first appointment is about beginning a therapeutic relationship, getting the therapist on board with an understanding of what brings you to therapy, what would be helpful to accomplish and identifying the scope of the work involved.
Subsequent Visits: Subsequent visits typically start with a short “check in” and recap of the events of the preceding week with an emphasis on how the homework altered the former patterns. Then we continue work on what brought you to therapy and define your goals for positive change. This likely includes examination of the family dynamic from whence you came.
First Appointments: Our first appointment is about beginning a therapeutic relationship, getting the therapist on board with an understanding of what brings you to therapy, what would be helpful to accomplish and identifying the scope of the work involved.
Subsequent Visits: Subsequent visits typically start with a short “check in” and recap of the events of the preceding week with an emphasis on how the homework altered the former patterns. Then we continue work on what brought you to therapy and define your goals for positive change. This likely includes examination of the family dynamic from whence you came.
6) What is the difference in types of licensure e.g., LMFT, LMFTA, LMHC, LICSW, etc. and why is it important to understand this when hiring a therapist?
The reason why it is important to understand the differences in these licensures is that they each have differing educational rigors and focuses. Who you hire, which licensure they have and the work you are wanting to accomplish (i.e., couples counseling versus individual therapy) can make all the difference in the success of your therapy.
If you are looking for marriage/couples counseling or family therapy, LMFT is considered the “Cadillac” of licensures for this type of work. The reason for this is that the focus of the education is specifically designed for work with couples and families (multi-bodied systems). While other types of licensures are predominantly educated and trained for working with individuals. For LMFTs, the number of client contact hours (with couples and families specifically) required for licensure significantly outnumbers the other types of licensure.
The reason why it is important to understand the differences in these licensures is that they each have differing educational rigors and focuses. Who you hire, which licensure they have and the work you are wanting to accomplish (i.e., couples counseling versus individual therapy) can make all the difference in the success of your therapy.
If you are looking for marriage/couples counseling or family therapy, LMFT is considered the “Cadillac” of licensures for this type of work. The reason for this is that the focus of the education is specifically designed for work with couples and families (multi-bodied systems). While other types of licensures are predominantly educated and trained for working with individuals. For LMFTs, the number of client contact hours (with couples and families specifically) required for licensure significantly outnumbers the other types of licensure.
- LMFTA is a therapist who is a marriage and family therapy associate or someone working toward licensure.
- LMHC is a licensure that is primarily focused on individual therapy, but it also depends upon the counseling program from which the therapist graduated.
- LICSW is a licensed social worker. This type of licensure has the least number of hours of client contact required for licensure than all of the other degree types, but has much more education and experience in social services.
7) Do you give complimentary introductions?
Free “meet and greets” are usually given by newer therapists as a way of getting new business. For a seasoned therapist, it is more efficacious to simply “hit the ground running” and “get to work” which seems to work for most people.
Free “meet and greets” are usually given by newer therapists as a way of getting new business. For a seasoned therapist, it is more efficacious to simply “hit the ground running” and “get to work” which seems to work for most people.
8) Do you accept credit cards?
Not presently. However, payments may be made through the use of PayPal, but require a small fee to cover the expense PayPal charges Center for Couples for the use of their service.
Not presently. However, payments may be made through the use of PayPal, but require a small fee to cover the expense PayPal charges Center for Couples for the use of their service.
9) Do you accept insurance for Individual Therapy?
We are considered preferred providers for the following carriers: Regence Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Premera Blue Cross; Aetna and First Choice Health Network.
If we are out of network for your insurance and you have a PPO plan, many insurances will reimburse at a certain percentage for out-of-network practitioners. For individual therapy, we ONLY bill insurance directly for those carriers whom we are in-network. For other carriers, it is the client’s responsibility to seek reimbursement for OON (out of network) coverage.
We are considered preferred providers for the following carriers: Regence Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Premera Blue Cross; Aetna and First Choice Health Network.
If we are out of network for your insurance and you have a PPO plan, many insurances will reimburse at a certain percentage for out-of-network practitioners. For individual therapy, we ONLY bill insurance directly for those carriers whom we are in-network. For other carriers, it is the client’s responsibility to seek reimbursement for OON (out of network) coverage.
10) Do you accept insurance for Couples or Family Therapy?
We do NOT accept insurance (third-party payment) for couples or family therapy.
We do NOT accept insurance (third-party payment) for couples or family therapy.
11) How do I get the forms you require to get started in therapy?
The completion of paperwork is required at the beginning of your initial session. These forms will be emailed to you in advance of your appointment. We will go over polices and/or address any questions in session.
The completion of paperwork is required at the beginning of your initial session. These forms will be emailed to you in advance of your appointment. We will go over polices and/or address any questions in session.
12) What is virtual therapy?
Virtual therapy, sometimes referred to as telehealth, telepractice, or teletherapy, uses live video conferencing to enable therapists to conduct sessions with clients remotely. It is delivered through an online platform that is accessible via computer, tablet, or smartphone. The use of virtual therapy has recently increased as a response to COVID-19; however, it has been successfully used since the 1990s and is considered a highly effective, evidenced-based method for therapy delivery. We utilize Microsoft Teams for our scheduling and meetings of virtual therapy.
Virtual therapy, sometimes referred to as telehealth, telepractice, or teletherapy, uses live video conferencing to enable therapists to conduct sessions with clients remotely. It is delivered through an online platform that is accessible via computer, tablet, or smartphone. The use of virtual therapy has recently increased as a response to COVID-19; however, it has been successfully used since the 1990s and is considered a highly effective, evidenced-based method for therapy delivery. We utilize Microsoft Teams for our scheduling and meetings of virtual therapy.
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