FAQs
Questions we hear often
Frequently Asked Questions
Teen Counseling FAQs
You have legal access to your child's health information, however, we ask for most information to be private to help build trust with your teenager. The exceptions to this are concerning safety. In cases of suicidality, homicidality, child abuse, and elder abuse, we will have to involve the necessary resources to keep your teen safe. Lydia answers this question more thoroughly in the video.
While working with your teen, we might suggest family sessions in order to communicate, problem-solve, and create a better connection. We will mediate any conflict and encourage vulnerability in order to be heard and understood. We may also suggest parent coaching sessions using the information we've gathered from your teen to give you more ideas on parenting them. Lydia answers this question more thoroughly in the video.
Seeing changes in your teen's behavior and mood is dependent on the problems presented, goals for therapy, the resistance to the therapeutic process, and the course of growth. Change takes time and consistent effort. Things with your teen may get worse before they get better, but any decline doesn't mean that counseling isn't working. Parental involvement and consistent attendance are closely tied with progress. I answer this question more thoroughly in the video.
A “clinical hour” is 50 minutes.
Research has shown that teen mental health counseling can be highly effective in managing mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression. It can improve the teenager's quality of life, relationships, and academic performance.
Young Adult Counseling FAQs
Counseling for young adults is a type of therapy that helps individuals between the ages of 18 and 25 navigate various challenges and transitions in life. This can include mental health issues, academic or career concerns, relationship difficulties, and more.
During your first counseling session, your counselor will likely ask questions about your background, current concerns, and goals for therapy. They may also discuss their approach to therapy and answer any questions you have about the process.
Yes, counseling sessions are confidential. This means that anything you share in counseling will be kept private and not shared with anyone else without your permission, except in cases where your safety or the safety of others may be at risk.
Yes, counseling for young adults can be highly effective in addressing mental health concerns, relationship issues, and other personal challenges. Research has shown that young adults who participate in counseling are more likely to achieve their goals and experience improved mental health and wellbeing.
Adult Counseling FAQs
During an individual counseling session, the client and counselor will engage in a conversation focused on the client's goals and concerns. The therapist will provide guidance, support, and feedback to help the client gain insight into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and to develop coping strategies to address their challenges.
The length of individual counseling varies depending on the individual's needs and goals. Some people may see improvements in just a few sessions, while others may benefit from longer-term therapy.
Yes, individual counseling is confidential. Your counselor is bound by ethical and legal obligations to protect your privacy and keep your information confidential, with some exceptions as mandated by law (such as in the case of suspected child abuse or neglect, or when a client poses a risk of harm to themselves or others).
Couples Counseling FAQs
During couples counseling, you and your partner will work with counselor to explore the issues that are affecting your relationship. You'll learn new communication and problem-solving skills, gain insight into your patterns of behavior, and develop a greater understanding and empathy for each other. The goal of couples counseling is to improve your relationship and strengthen your connection with your partner.
Couples counseling can be helpful for couples who are struggling with communication, intimacy, trust, and other issues in their relationship. If you're feeling disconnected from your partner and are having difficulty resolving conflicts on your own, couples counseling may be a good option.
Yes, couples counseling is available to all couples, regardless of their marital status. Whether you're dating, engaged, or in a long-term committed relationship, couples counseling can help you work through your issues and strengthen your bond.
We warmly welcome same-sex couples seeking counseling. Our counselors are trained to work with diverse couples and use evidence-based techniques to help build stronger communication and enhance intimacy. We provide a safe and supportive environment where you can feel seen, heard, and supported as you work to strengthen your relationship.
If your partner is hesitant to attend counseling, it's important to communicate openly and respectfully about your desire to work on your relationship. You may want to suggest individual counseling for each of you to start, or explore other ways to improve your relationship, such as self-help books or workshops.
If you've tried couples counseling before and it didn't work, it may be worth trying again with a different counselor or approach. It's important to communicate openly with your counselor about what worked and didn't work in previous counseling experiences, and to explore new strategies and techniques for improving your relationship.
Child Counseling FAQs
Play therapy is particularly effective for children who may have difficulty expressing their feelings through words alone, such as young children or those who have experienced trauma. Our therapists use play therapy to help children develop emotional regulation, build self-esteem, and improve their communication skills.
The main way that children communicate and process emotions is through play, so most work in counseling is done with play involved. We also provide parent coaching and family sessions to support progress inside and outside of our sessions.
While confidentiality is important in child counseling, it's also important for parents to be involved in the process, especially for younger children. We involve parents or guardians to provide support outside of counseling sessions and to gain a better understanding of the child's home environment and relationships. In cases of suicidality, homicidality, child abuse, and elder abuse, we will have to involve the necessary resources to keep your child safe.
You should consider counseling for your child if you notice that they are struggling with issues such as anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, or difficulties with relationships. Counseling can also be helpful if your child has experienced a traumatic event or is going through a major life transition, such as a divorce or a move.
Family Counseling FAQs
Family counseling is a type of therapy that focuses on improving communication, resolving conflicts, and strengthening relationships among family members. Family counseling can involve various family configurations, such as parents and children, siblings, or extended family members.
Family counseling can address a wide range of issues, including communication problems, behavioral issues in children, conflicts related to divorce or separation, mental health issues, and more.
If your family is experiencing conflict or communication problems, struggling with a major life change, or experiencing difficulties related to mental health, family counseling may be helpful. Family counseling can also be beneficial in improving overall family dynamics and strengthening relationships.
Family counseling can help improve communication and problem-solving skills, reduce conflict and tension, increase understanding and empathy, and promote healthier family relationships. Family counseling can also help improve overall family functioning and reduce stress and anxiety for individual family members.
Individual counseling focuses on individual issues and personal growth, while family counseling focuses on improving family relationships and communication. Family counseling typically involves all or most family members and may include joint sessions as well as individual sessions.