Question 1

How can counseling help me?

Accepted Answer

My Christian counseling approach can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues, and creative blocks. Many people also find therapy beneficial to managing personal growth, improving interpersonal relationships, and addressing family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. I can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution as we explore your life along with behaviors and personal thoughts and beliefs, and, possibly, replace them with the best ones for you. Furthermore, at the heart of my practice is a commitment to meet each client where they are in life and go from there whether they want a faith-based approach or not. Additionally, I am dedicated to implementing a Christ-centered approach along with evidence-based therapeutic techniques, ensuring a holistic healing experience to help with life's struggles. While the benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn, some of the benefits available from therapy include:

Question 2

Do I need counseling? I can usually handle my problems.

Accepted Answer

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life. Even though you may have successfully navigated through previous difficulties, you may now find you need extra support. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness; in fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand. This is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting your position in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome the challenges you face.

Question 3

Why do people go to counseling?

Accepted Answer

Each person's therapy experience will be slightly different based on the presenting issue and goals you have for therapy. Generally, you can expect me to ask questions about the current events occurring in your life that have led you to seek therapy and any personal history relevant to the presenting problem. Depending on your specific needs, the therapy process may be short with a few sessions or longer with more or a lot more sessions as you work toward reaching your therapeutic goals. Typically, we see progress occur at a faster pace when clients attend their sessions consistently. Additionally, you can expect me to ask you to do things outside the sessions — homework — that may involve identifying your thoughts and beliefs, exploring what replacement thoughts and beliefs to embrace, journaling about specific topics, reflecting on certain behaviors, and taking specific steps to reach your goals.

Question 4

What is counseling like?

Accepted Answer

Because people have different issues and goals for their Christian counseling therapy, each person's therapy will differ depending on the individual. Generally, you can expect to discuss the events currently happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term for a specific issue, or longer-term to address more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions (usually weekly or every other week). What helps to promote a successful counseling experience? Honesty and a willingness to change certain thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. Once a client identifies what they think, believe, and do in life, they decide either to keep, change, or tweak what they think, believe, and do. I am here to help with that process, and you will get better results from therapy when you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in therapy back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, you and I will typically identify suggestions of things you can do for homework outside of therapy to support your process, such as making the intentional decision to think, believe, and live differently, reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors, or taking action on your goals.

Question 5

Do I have to be a Christian or member of the church to receive care?

Accepted Answer

At the heart of my practice is a commitment to meet each client where they are in life and go from there whether they want a faith-based approach or not. I connect with every individual, couple, and family to begin the healing journey. While I provide professional counseling within a Christ-centered framework, there is no requirement for clients to be associated with any faith-based organization, and clients direct how much, if any, spiritual integration is part of their therapy process.

Question 6

Do you recommend psychiatrists or psychiatric evaluations?

Accepted Answer

There may be times when I may recommend a psychiatric and/or medical evaluation. However, I believe Christian counseling therapy can oftentimes address the root cause(s) and may resolve the issues of anxiety, depression, behavior problems, and trauma. Additionally and if needed, by working with me and your doctor, you can determine what is best for you. In some cases, a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.

Question 7

Do you take insurance?

Accepted Answer

I am contracted with the various insurance companies listed on the Rates & Insurance page. If you decide to see me, but I am out of network with your insurance, you will be emailed an invoice after each session and a superbill monthly, which will include a diagnosis for you to submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement under your insurance's out-of-network benefits.

Question 8

Do you provide stress counseling and religious counseling?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer expert stress counseling and religious counseling services rooted in Christian principles to support you in managing daily pressures and strengthening your spiritual journey.

Question 9

What about confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality is one of the most important components of the client/psychotherapist relationship. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter, usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of his or her confidential disclosure agreement (called “Informed Consent”), and you can expect what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your physician, naturopath, attorney). By law, your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission. State law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations: suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders requires therapists to report to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources, or if the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.

Question 10

What is the privacy policy?

Accepted Answer

The law protects the relationship between a client and a psychotherapist, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission. Exceptions to this are noted below. – If child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse is suspected, the therapist is required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately. – If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s, the therapist must notify the police and inform the intended victim. – If a client intends to harm himself or herself, the therapist will make every effort to enlist the client's cooperation to ensure his/her safety. If they do not cooperate, the therapist will take further measures, provided by law and not requiring the client's permission, to ensure the client's safety.

Questions About Counseling

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