Common Questions
If you’ve never talked to a counselor before, you may have a lot of questions. Don’t let these questions keep you from getting help. Below are some answers to questions people often ask about counseling.
Q: What is the fee for your services?
* I offer a sliding scale for individuals and families who may have difficulty paying my full fee. This is determined on a case-by-case basis.
My regular fee for individual counseling is $150. Couples Counseling: $175 and Family Counseling: $175-$300. The variation in fee is determined by the length of the session.
Coaching packages are available and begin at $395. As a licensed counselor I can help determine for you whether the cost of your coaching could be covered by insurance.
Q: Do you take insurance?
I am not a part of any specific insurance company’s plan but may be covered through your out-of-network benefits. Payment is due at the end of each session. I usually bill at the end of each month but I can arrange to bill you weekly so that you can submit them to your insurance company more quickly.
Q: How do I know if I should seek help?
A: It is best to ask for help even if you are not sure your problem is big enough to need counseling. Counselors can help you figure out what might be going on and what you could do about it. They can also make referrals to other helpful services.
There are many different signs that might tell you that you should try counseling. A few of these are:
Feeling unhappy for no reason
Not being satisfied with your life
Having trouble making decisions
Having trouble setting or reaching goals
Being tired for no reason
Feeling hopeless
Changes in sleeping or eating
Acting in ways that you don’t like
Acting in ways that get you in trouble
Problems with alcohol or drugs
Relationship problems
Having trouble at work
Thinking about death a lot or thinking of hurting yourself
Q: Wouldn’t it be better to just wait and see if my problems just go away on their own?
A: This can work some of the time but that will depend upon the specific problem. Sometimes it is better to go to a professional, at least for an assessment to see where you are. If you can make things better, it doesn’t seem necessary to keep feeling pain or waiting until the problem or situation gets worse.
Q: Why should I pay to talk to a counselor when I can talk to my friends about my problems?
A: Friends can certainly help, but counselors can do many things that friends cannot. Counselors are specially trained and experienced in helping people see their emotions and feelings from a different perspective. Counselors have often worked with a number of people with similar issues and so are better able to help you work through your problems and help you learn tools and come to new decisions about your life. This is also done in a completely confidential environment so you won’t have to worry that anything you have talked about will be repeated.
Q: What if I don’t know what to say to my counselor?
A: Many people are worried about this before they try counseling. Counselors know how to help people put things into words and to talk about their feelings. Even if you sometimes don’t have much to say, counselors understand that.
Q: What if I can’t change anything in my life?
A: Going to a counselor is a very brave step. Just reaching out to someone is a huge success. Even if you learn only one helpful thing from counseling, it will be worth it.
Q: What if I don’t feel comfortable with my counselor?
A: Remember that your counseling is for you. If you don’t feel comfortable with your therapist or the way counseling is going, you should talk to your counselor. In fact, talking about whether the counseling is helpful, how well you and the counselor work together, and what your next steps should be are important parts of counseling. If your counselor doesn’t do these things, you should talk to your counselor about this. You should also feel free to find another therapist.
