We’ve assembled many of the common questions new clients want to know about before coming.  If you want more details about any of these questions or you have a question which isn’t listed, please call us at 970.829.0478 or email [email protected].

How do I choose a therapist?  How do I know if my therapist is good?  What do all the letters mean?’

Well, every therapist you talk to will have a different answer for this one. Here is what we think:

Research shows the number one factor in determining a successful outcome is the quality of relationship between the client and therapist.  You should feel comfortable and trust your therapist or it will be hard to develop this relationship.

Your therapist should be doing their own “work” and have extensive experience in doing their own “work” through self-exploration, therapy, counseling, etc.  Your therapist should continually be learning and seeking supervision and consultation from their peers to be sure they are seeing everything from all angles.

Your therapist should have extensive training through graduate level course work in a master’s or doctoral program, have extensive training in specific treatment modalities and issues, as well as being committed to ongoing professional development to stay current in the field.  This is where all the letters come from, but ultimately they are less important than the level of relationship and trust you feel with your therapist.

It is best if you do your homework and read what others have to say on the topic as well. Here is an unbiased article on this subject that will help you know what to look for: http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/how-to-find-a-therapist/.

And here is a longer more comprehensive one: http://www.metanoia.org/choose/index.html.

Do I have to talk about my past?

We work in the present moment using mindfulness based methods. So on one hand, no, we usually don’t ask questions about your past. However, everything that we have experienced in the past influences how we view the present. So, often you will be reminded of things that have happened in your past through exploring how you are experiencing the present.

What should I expect at my first session?

It is normal to be slightly nervous or anxious about the first meeting.  For many of us, it is like this for meeting anyone, much less someone we are going to talk about personal things with.  For our work together to be most beneficial, we will need to develop a good relationship.  In the first session, we will want to spend some time looking at a wide variety of things so that I know more about you as a person and you will be able to ask any questions of me that you need to know to feel confident that our work together will be helpful.  Also, we will look at what you hope to accomplish, that way we know when our time together has been successful.

When can I expect to start feeling better?

Often people report some initial relief after a few sessions by just starting to look at things.  The number of sessions will vary depending on what we are working with.  We will never tell you that you need X number of additional sessions.  You choose to come if it is helpful to you, and you can stop whenever you feel it is no longer needed.

How often will we have to meet?

Most often we see people once per week.  If money or scheduling is an issue, you can choose to come every other week.  In some cases, we may want to meet more frequently, but usually once per week allows a good amount of time in between appointments for you to process and practice the material we worked with in session.

How will I know when I’m done?

In our first session, we will talk about what you hope to accomplish.  You are free to be done any time you feel you have completed what you came to work with, you feel confident in a new way of being based on what you have learned, or you feel you are no longer benefiting from our services.

How much does counseling cost?

Our standard rate is $150 per hour for seasoned therapists, $120 per hour for therapists within the first three years of their training.  If you compare our rates to others in the area, you will find that we are very affordable.  However, we understand that money can be a limiting factor for people.  For that reason, we have contracted with a few insurance companies and offer a sliding scale as needed.  Also, if you have an out-of-network benefit on your insurance, we can provide a receipt that you can submit to your managed care provider for reimbursement.

How can I get the most out of my counseling sessions?

This is a great question. If you’re asking this, then you’re obviously motivated for change, which is a great start!  You will benefit the most through developing a healthy, open, honest relationship with your therapist. You have a unique opportunity for a relationship that many people have never had in their lives.  Your therapist has no agenda for you and will be totally open and non-judgmental.  If you come to the session prepared with something to work with, be open and honest with yourself, explore yourself through mindfulness, and start to practice new ways of being in the world, you will get a lot out of your sessions.

Also, we encourage everyone to journal or write at least three bullet points after every session to help you retain what we learned.  We only get to meet one hour per week, so we may give exercises and things to think about to help you apply it to the other 167 hours of your week, which is the best way to get the most out of your sessions.