Common Questions

How has counseling apart from God helped? I've heard to many unfortunate stories about people losing marriages and  family being broken because of secular counselors telling them their situation was hopeless.

Cut your loses and go.

God never gives up on you! As A Christian counselor I operate from a worldview based on the Bible. The goal of  Christian counseling is spiritual maturity that will give new insight and perspective regarding the mental, emotional and  physical side of life. An example of a Christian perspective on life is the issue of truth. Most people Christian or  non-Christian would agree that the truth is important. I have worked with many people who have believed lies about  themselves and their relationship with others. Many individuals were raised up and believed lies that they still believe  as adults. I’m not good enough, I need everyone’s love and approval, if there is a problem it must be my fault. The  biblical principal about truth is found in the John 8:32 “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  When I work with people who are not Christian they like that truth. Getting away from lies is valuable and important for  all of us.

A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists 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 that counselors can be  a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and  the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction  of a solution. 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:

  • Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
  • Developing skills for improving your relationships
  • Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
  • Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
  • Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
  • Improving communications and listening skills
  • Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
  • Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
  • Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at 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 whatever challenges you face. 

WHY DO PEOPLE GO TO THERAPY AND HOW DO I KNOW IF IT IS RIGHT FOR ME?

People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy.   Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well.  Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts and creative blocks.  Therapy can help provide some much needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods.  Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life.   In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives. 

Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual.  In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your  issue, and report progress (or any 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 deal with more difficult patterns or  your desire for more personal development.  Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your  therapist (usually weekly).

It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life.  Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process - such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals. People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new  perspectives and take responsibility for their lives.

It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be  solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the  behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being  with an integrative approach to wellness.  Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you, and in some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. 

To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call  them.  Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers.  Some helpful questions you can ask them:

  • What are my mental health benefits?
  • What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
  • How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
  • How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
  • Is approval required from my primary care physician? 

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and psychotherapist. Successful therapy  requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the  therapist's office.   Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you  can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone.  This is called “Informed Consent”.  Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your  healthcare team (your Physician, Naturopath, Attorney), but by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.



If you have other questions please feel free to contact our office

Phone - 913-449-3606

E-mail -  [email protected]

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