Psychotherapy (short for psychological therapy) or counseling is a process by which a person, couple, family, or group establishes a relationship with a professional to work toward psychological health by making behavioral, intellectual, and relational changes. People who seek psychotherapy services may be experiencing a wide range of concerns; anxiety, depression, marital concerns, work problems, parenting dilemmas, etc.

Psychotherapy is provided by a mental health professional with an advanced degree, usually a Master's or Doctorate. Psychologists (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) are not only trained in counseling, but also can evaluate using standardized psychological testing, to help determine mood, behavior, or learning patterns. A licensed Social Worker has a Master's degree and has been supervised in a clinical setting to be able to practice psychotherapy. Licensed social workers working as psychotherapists are not generally affiliated with the state's Dept. of Social Services, or Child Protective Services. However, all mental health providers are mandated reporters for child abuse. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who is trained with a specialty in mental health issues and can prescribe medications for such conditions. A therapist may encourage a person who is having trouble with depression or anxiety to consult with a psychiatrist, a nurse practitioner or the family doctor for information about medication. Depending on the state, other professionals such as mental health counselors, pastoral counselors, and some trained mental health nurses may also provide psychotherapeutic services.

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When choosing a therapist, a number of factors should be considered. You have the right to ask about training and credentials and whether the person you are seeing is licensed in your state. You may ask about the way the therapist approaches concerns, the theory that they use when talking to people. One of the more common theories that mental health professionals use is called "cognitive-behavioral." Briefly, this refers to a method of helping people change their thought processes and behaviors to help with mood or relationship problems. You may want to ask about the types of clients a therapist typically sees, for example, children between the ages of 5-10, couples or families, older adults, etc. You may also need to check with your insurance company if you will have any of the fees paid through them and to see if they have special requirements for you or the therapist you see before you start therapy. They may have a list of "approved" providers. You, not your insurance company should choose your therapist. One of the most important factors in choosing a therapist is your own response during the time you talk or meet with them. Do you feel listened to, understood, supported yet challenged? Therapy is a very personal relationship and not every therapist is right for every client. Most therapists will help you try and find another provider if the match does not seem like a good one.

When calling for an appointment, you may be asked for some basic information. Giving a brief description of why you are calling can help the person arranging the appointment make a better suggestion about who you might work best with. You may also be asked about your insurance coverage or financial arrangements. As mental health providers, it is important to us that you not experience additional stress by finding out too late that services are not covered by your insurance as you might have thought. You may also be asked to contact your insurance company who may need to approve an initial visit. We will be as helpful as we can with these matters and sometimes the insurance company requires you call them before you see a therapist. You will be given an appointment time and directions. You may be asked to come early to fill out standard forms, or you may request that they be mailed to you. If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, try and do so as soon as possible.

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In certain situations there may be some advantages to not using your insurance to pay for your sessions and rather pay cash (we accept checks, Master Card, Visa, Discover as well as American Express). During your first session ask your therapist about this if you are interested.

Each therapist handles an initial session differently, but you can usually expect to begin by describing your concerns and the reasons you called for the appointment. You may be asked questions about how long the concerns have been present, when have they been better or worse, and what you have tried to do to get through them. You may be asked questions about your mood, your daily patterns, your responses in relationships, etc. It is also common to ask about medical concerns which may be contributing to your problems and you may ask your therapist to notify your doctor that you are receiving services. Asking about family or relationship history is often a part of the first visit. It is also likely that you will be asked about your physical safety or a risk of harm to others. Your therapist is trying to get as much information as possible to try and help you. Usually, at the close of the first session, your therapist will give you some input about how psychotherapy might be helpful in your situation and may suggest follow-up sessions, a referral for getting information about medications, or psychological testing. The therapist may also suggest that you encourage other family members to participate in the process.

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