Counseling Services Offered/Theoretical Approaches (also applies to coaching.)

Counseling is a process that involves active participation by the client as well as the counselor. If, at any time, either person believes that they are not getting the results that they discussed previously with the counselor, the client and counselor will pause work and reassess the progress of the therapy. 

In order for counseling to be effective, you must be actively involved in the process from the beginning. This will not be easy and could be emotionally painful at times. However, if you are committed to learning how to change negative pattern of thoughts and behaviors you will see success. You may be assigned things to do in between sessions that will further your progress in therapy. It will take time to see the results from your sessions with me. Before we begin work we will discuss a point of time, such as 1 month, 2 months or three months to assess the therapy progress. 

In general I use an eclectic counseling approach. Theoretically, I base most interventions on cognitive behavioral counseling/therapy. However, I am well versed in other theories and techniques and will modify my approach to fit each client and their unique situation. I commonly use reality therapy, transactional analysis, motivational interviewing as well as several other well researched and proven behavioral counseling approaches. 

I provide counseling services to all individuals with general mental health issues, marital and family relationship problems. I refer clients that are out of my scope of practice to other mental health professionals where appropriate.

Length of Sessions

Most sessions are 50 minutes in length. However, longer sessions can be scheduled in advanced. If you are not able to make it to our session at the scheduled, please give at least 24 hours notice, if not you may not be able to be rescheduled that week. Attending all of your regularly scheduled sessions will provide the most benefit for you in therapy. Your time and mine are both valuable. Therefore I ask that you are on time or early for your sessions and I will be available to you at your scheduled time as this time as been reserved for you. If you are late, I may only be able to see you for the time that is remaining of your scheduled time. 

Diagnosis (not for coaching clients)

As part of your services you will be assessed for mental health conditions and may be assigned a diagnosis. A diagnosis is required for insurance purposes. We will discuss this diagnosis prior to your admission into services. This diagnosis will be a part of your permanent insurance record. Although this is an important issue, your mental health is more important. 

Confidentiality

The most cases the information shared with me will not be released to anyone without your written permission. The privacy and confidentiality of our sessions as well as your records, is your right and is protected by state law as well as the ethical principles for Professional Counselors and Coaches in all but a few circumstances. There are three primary circumstances in which I cannot guarantee confidentiality, legally or ethically: (1) when it is determined that you intend to harm yourself or another person; (2) when it is determined that a child or elderly person has been, or will be, abused or neglected; and (3) in rare circumstances, mental health professionals can be ordered by a judge to release information. In the case of a court order, I have no choice and must comply with the order. Other aspects of the confidential nature of our counseling relationship are explained below.

Complaints

If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of my work, please inform me immediately. This will make our work together more efficient and effective