frequently asked questions

Seeking counseling is a personal decision that is usually made when difficulties persist, increase, or cause significant pain. Do you feel too overwhelmed to manage your problems? Are you feeling hopeless about your life’s circumstances? Are there areas of your life that you wish could be different or enhanced in some way? Do you want to live a happier, healthier life? If so, counseling is right for you. 

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), some signs that you could benefit from counseling include:

• You feel an overwhelming, prolonged sense of helplessness and sadness.
• Your problems don’t seem to get better despite your efforts and help from family and friends.
• You find it difficult to concentrate on work assignments or to carry out other everyday activities. 
• You worry excessively, expect the worst or are constantly on edge.
• Your actions, such as drinking too much alcohol, using drugs or being aggressive, are harming you or others.

Counseling is a collaborative treatment process between a therapist and an individual. It provides a supportive environment which allows you to talk openly with someone who’s objective, neutral, and nonjudgmental. A typical counseling session lasts 50-55 minutes; during this time you and your therapist will work together to identify areas of your life you wish to change and to develop individualized goals to help ensure those changes take place. There are many different approaches to counseling – your therapist will consider current research on effective practices in the field of counseling, as well as your personal goals and expectations when determining the right treatment approach for you. 

For additional information regarding the treatment process, please check out the American Psychological Association’s article “Understanding Psychotherapy and How it Works” under the helpful links & resources tab on our homepage.

Counseling can help by providing support and guidance as you develop new problem-solving skills and enhance coping strategies for managing life’s challenges. The benefits you gain from therapy will depend on how committed you are to the process and your efforts to apply what you learn. Some common benefits of therapy include:

• Improved self-esteem and confidence
• Acquiring new skills for coping with stress and anxiety
• Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals, and your values
• Enhanced communication and problem-solving skills in your relationships
• Resolutions to the issues and concerns that led to you seeking therapy
• Developing new, healthier patterns of behavior
• Learning new tools for managing feelings of anger, grief, or sadness

Hope & Healing Family Counseling does not accept insurance. You may be able to get part or all of your counseling services covered by your insurance provider by submitting your receipt for payment of services to them. You will need to contact your insurance provider to determine if this is an option. 

Ask your insurer the following questions:

• Does my plan cover mental health services?
• Do I have a choice about what kind of mental health professionals I can see? Ask if your insurance covers licensed therapists that are out-of-network, and what kinds of treatments are covered and excluded.
• Is there a deductible? If so, ask how much it is, what your remaining annual balance is, and what services count toward the deductible.
• What is my co-payment / co-insurance? Your plan likely requires you to pay for a portion of the treatment costs yourself.
• Is there a limit to the number of sessions I can get reimbursed per year?
• If my therapist does not accept my insurance, what is the process for me to get reimbursed after I have paid for counseling services from an out-of-network provider?