common questions
Therapy can be for individuals, families, couples, and other groups as well.
When young children come to New Beginnings they don’t always have the words to tell their therapist how they feel. The therapist will work with the child, the parents, siblings, and others. It is important for children to feel safe and comfortable. This is why art, toys, puppets and more are part of the play therapy room at New Beginnings Counseling Center. Legal parents/guardians are consulted frequently throughout a child’s play therapy and frequently involved in play sessions when this seems therapeutically appropriate. However, the privacy/confidentiality of a child and/or teen is still carefully respected so exactly what a child says or does is not disclosed to anyone. The importance of this is discussed in detail at the beginning of treatment.
Usually therapy is conducted once a week for about an hour each session, but this depends upon your needs. You and your therapist will discuss your treatment and make a plan together.
The length of therapy will depend upon your needs, the treatment plan, and your discussion with your therapist. Sometimes insurance rules dictate how many sessions are covered under your policy (although most will allow you to pay out-of-pocket after these have been exhausted) so it is good to know what your policy covers.
Insurance may cover therapy or may not. Sometimes insurance will cover just a few sessions and you may also have an annual deductible. It is important to have as much information possible so you can best plan the financial arrangements. When you call or email one of the therapist they can assist you with insurance benefits information.
Your therapist will greet you personally in the waiting room and will review relevant paperwork. You can help by bringing your insurance id card. Your therapist will help you feel comfortable and answer any questions you may have. Since each therapist at New Beginnings Counseling Center is independent (we are not an agency or company) your first appointment experience will vary slightly from therapist to therapist. You can always ask questions in advance, or course, about what to expect.
People have thoughts, beliefs, feelings, physical sensations, and behaviors. Each therapist focuses on these as it suits your needs. By learning more about yourself you can have more ability to make choices which enrich your life and stop doing things which make you angry, confused, afraid, or sad. Your therapist may also ask you about any physical complaints and/or illness that may affect or even cause mental and emotional issues. Consultation (with your permission) with your doctor may be recommended in order for your therapist to know how to best help.
In order for a child to be seen BOTH parents who have LEGAL custody must sign an authorization to treat. This does not have to be completed the first session but does need to be done soon after. If possible, all parents the child sees or has access to should have contact with the therapist in order to facilitate the best therapeutic outcome. Your therapist can discuss this with you further by phone or at the initial session.
Certainly! In fact each individual therapist will encourage everyone to be absolutely certain they have chosen the right therapist for themselves and know there may be many questions to ask.
A teen is assumed to deserve the same respect and privacy as anyone. All legal parents/guardians must authorize treatment but what a child/teen says in therapy is kept private (except for a few circumstances that the law requires). Therapy does, however, try to provide tools for teens to help them communicate in the best ways possible with their support family/friend systems.
Each person’s needs are very individualized. This is a very good question to ask your own therapist.
