Therapy Faq
What does a therapist do?
A therapist is a trained person who is there to listen to you and offer suggestions when you have run out of them. A therapist should not tell you what to do but should help you find and voice ideas you probably already have but are either afraid or unsure how to voice them.
Why do I need a therapist?
Unless you are court-ordered to see a therapist, you are probably looking for someone to help you with an issue that you cannot resolve yourself. A therapist is an unbiased, nonjudgmental professional who can help you to find answers to your problems.
How do I pick a therapist?
All therapists do things differently. And there are bunches you can find online or in the phone book. A friend or family member may even recommend one. The important thing to remember is to find one you feel comfortable and safe with. You have to be able to trust your therapist the same way they will trust you. Just know you can shop around until you find the right one for you.
What can I expect in therapy?
No two therapists do things exactly alike. But some things you can expect are the therapist assessing you and both of you determining if it will be a good fit. You have to have an idea of what you want from therapy. You will get out of it what you put into it. You may not know exactly what your issue is or you may know exactly what it is. Be prepared to discuss it. And don’t be afraid to let the therapist know what trigger points you have.
What is HIPAA?
HIPAA is the acronym for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act that was passed by Congress in 1996. HIPAA: provides the ability to transfer and continue health insurance coverage for millions of American workers and their families when they change or lose their jobs; mandates industry-wide standards for health care information on electronic billing and other processes; and requires the protection and confidential handling of protected health information.
What is Confidentiality?
Confidentiality is a term denoting a counseling practice relevant to privacy. A client who has a counseling relationship with a therapist has the right to privacy and the promise of confidentiality.
How do I know if therapy is working?
After you have attended a few sessions, you may or may not feel like you are cured, but hopefully you are feeling better or at least more positive. You feel like you and your therapist are on the same page and they actually understand you, they ‘get’ your issue(s). Your therapist should go over what progress you are making (or not making). If there is no progress, this may be due to a number of reasons; the therapist is using a style that does not sit well with you, you may not be investing yourself into the therapy or a combination of the two. There is nothing wrong with talking to your therapist and bringing up your concerns with them.