Question 1

What happens during a therapy session?

Accepted Answer

A therapy session is typically a problem-solving meeting in which you describe your current situation and we help you find ways to resolve your issues so that you can move forward with your life. At the beginning of the session, we will invite you to share what has been going on in your life, what is bothering you, and whether you have any goals you would like to discuss. You may want to consider how you will know when you are doing better. You will be invited to speak openly and we will listen, take notes, and never criticize, or judge you as you speak. Our conversation will be kept in strict confidentiality and anything you want or need to say will be acceptable.

Question 2

What does a first session look like?

Accepted Answer

Typically, the first session is an assessment session where the therapist gathers the client’s biopsychosocial history. This means we ask about the psychology of the client’s patterns, the health and illness history, and the client’s social factors are evaluated. Some therapists use the first couple of sessions to complete this. Some therapists have a longer first session to complete the evaluation.

Question 3

What is your role as a counselor?

Accepted Answer

The role of any counselor or therapist is to confront, push, and guide patients toward developing better cognitive and emotional coping skills that will reduce symptoms of mental illness and help them cope with life challenges.

Question 4

How long will I have to be in therapy?

Accepted Answer

The duration varies based on individual needs and goals. Some may need only a few sessions, while others benefit from long-term therapy. Your therapist will create a personalized plan and review your progress regularly to ensure effective treatment. The length of therapy is a joint decision aimed at achieving the best outcomes for your mental health.

Question 5

Will counseling fix all of my problems?

Accepted Answer

Counseling at Selah Behavioral Health is a powerful tool for personal growth and emotional well-being. It helps address issues like anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and stress but may not fix all problems instantly.

Our goal is to equip you with coping strategies and insights for a transformative journey. By working with our professionals, you're taking a vital first step toward a healthier life.

We're here to support you every step at Selah Behavioral Health — empowering minds, transforming lives.

Question 6

How will I know when I am doing better?

Accepted Answer

This looks different for every person. Signs include improved mood stability, focusing more on the present, reduced anxiety or depression, better sleep, more energy, and better appetite.
Enhanced relationships and reaching personal or therapeutic goals also indicate progress. Consistent treatment participation and feedback from professionals help gauge improvement.

Question 7

I can usually handle my problems.  Do I really need therapy?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it is right for me?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

What is therapy like?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and a psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but in 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 the 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, or Attorney), but by law, your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.   
However, 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, disabled adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.  
Domestic abuse that children are being exposed to. 
If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person. 
Court order *Information requested by FBI 
A client signing a Release of Information (ROI) to coordinate care between providers or outside parties

Question 11

Does my insurance cover therapy?

Accepted Answer

Many insurance plans cover therapy, but specifics depend on your provider and plan. Contact your insurance company to understand your coverage, co-pays, deductibles, or session limits. Our administrative team can help verify your benefits. If you have further questions, please reach out to us!

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