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What is therapy?
People seek therapy for many reasons. Regardless of what first led you
to seek help, a trained, professional counselor can help you sort out
the problems or issues that are weighing you down and negatively
affecting your life and well-being.
How do I get
started?
To make an appointment for an initial consultation, call (770) 246-2588.
Appointments may be scheduled within days of your phone call, and even
more quickly in the case of emergencies. Are you unsure if therapy is
for you? After your initial consultation, there is no obligation to
continue if you are uncomfortable.
What will happen
at my first appointment?
You will talk with your therapist about the issues that motivated you to
seek therapy and you will be able to ask any questions you might have.
Working with you, your therapist will suggest a personalized treatment
approach and help you to identify your treatment goals.
Why
should I reveal my problems to a stranger?
Sometimes it is easier to discuss your problems with someone who is not
a friend or a family member—someone who will not be influenced by biases
and preconceptions they may have about you. A professional counselor
will listen to you and work to understand you in an objective,
nonjudgmental manner.
Still,
won’t it be hard to talk about what’s bothering me to a complete
stranger?
Your counselor expects that you may feel anxious or uncomfortable at
first, which is a normal way to feel. Your counselor will put you at
ease by creating an accepting environment. As you begin to trust your
counselor, you will feel more relaxed and open to talking about your
problems or issues.
What if
talking about my problems makes me angry or leads me to cry?
It is acceptable, and in fact helpful, to be able to express intense
emotions during therapy. When you let these feelings emerge, you begin
the process of healing and you also learn a lot about yourself. Your
counselor provides a safe environment where you are free to express any
strong feelings you may have.
Are my therapy
sessions confidential?
Whatever you say during therapy is confidential, unless you give your
counselor explicit permission to share information with others. However,
your counselor is required by law to break confidentiality to protect
you or someone else from harm. Your counselor will be able to answer any
questions you may have about confidentiality or its limits.
How long, and how
frequent, are therapy sessions?
Sessions typically last for 50 minutes. You and your counselor will
determine the frequency and duration of your time spent in therapy
depending on your particular needs.
What will I get
out of therapy?
While a counselor may not make your problems simply go away, the rewards
that you reap from therapy are invaluable. You will experience trust and
openness with someone else—perhaps for the first time in your life—and
you will learn how to counsel yourself. If you have a real desire to
understand yourself and to seek positive change, therapy can help you
achieve your goals.
What health insurance
and managed-care programs do you participate in?
Sutherland Psychotherapy Associates participates in many health
insurance programs, managed-care programs, and employee assistance
programs. Please call the office at (770) 246-2588 for the most updated
information on these plans. |
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