Iridescent Peaceland
Counseling
Frequently Asked Questions
What is therapy?
First of all, congratulations on your first step of making a change in your life! Therapy can be very stigmatized in different cultures. Clients have a variety of reasons to do therapy.
It can be seeking treatment for mental health illness, searching for personal and professional growth, working through traumatic experiences and relationship issues, or it can be as simple as just wanting to have a safe space to talk.
Therapy is providing a safe, therapeutic, confidential and collaborative environment for individuals, families or couples to ask for help with challenges in their lives.
The process is about assisting you to explore a deeper understanding of yourself, recognize unhelpful thought processes and dysfunctional patterns in relationships, acquire appropriate and healthy coping skills, and explore positive hobbies/interests to enhance self-confidence and daily functioning.
What is therapy like?
Therapy experiences vary with different individuals due to the uniqueness of internal and external factors in each individual’s life. The therapy process can be structured, fluid, fun, relaxing, or more specialized depending on the mutual agreement between therapist and client.
It can be talk therapy, it can involve game playing, mindfulness integration, and expressive art incorporation (art, music, literature, journal, story-telling, etc.). I will work with you to find the most appropriate and comfortable way to work together.
Is Counseling kept confidential?
Yes, counseling is confidential. Mental health professionals follow the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. Implementing regulations (HIPAA) and the Washington State Health Care Information Act, Chapter 70.02 Revised Code of Washington, provide patient privacy protections.
This means that information about your counseling sessions is not shared with anyone without your permission. However, there are some exceptions to confidentiality.
If there is the possibility of harm to you (client) or another person, or in child abuse cases, I’m mandated to report certain information to the appropriate authorities.
How often will I meet with my therapist?
Counseling is usually 50 minutes per session, weekly sessions are recommended for starters to build rapport between us (client and therapist).
The frequency and duration of therapy are based on the treatment goals set by us and the level of severity of the presenting issues. Regular and on-time attendance in counseling sessions will help you accomplish your therapeutic goals.
What is Telehealth?
Telehealth offers a new, flexible, commute free and convenient way to do therapy. As long as you have access to a reliable internet service, you can do it on your computer, tablet, or smartphone. The platform I use to do therapy is HIPAA compliant, so it is confidential and secure.
What happens in the 15 minutes free consultation?
It is an opportunity for you and me to get to know each other more to see if our style and energy would be suitable to have a quality therapy experience that meets your needs.
If we are a good match, great! We will schedule our first session to meet! If for some reason, it didn’t work out. No worries! I will offer some referral resources to you to point you in the right direction to find help.
What does first therapy session look like?
In our first therapy session, we will go through your intake paperwork, sign releases, and work on your goals for therapy.