What is therapy?

Therapy (also referred to as Counseling) is a type of professional service that helps people cope with various emotional, behavioral, and psychological issues. Some of the common reasons why people seek mental health counseling are stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship problems, grief, and addiction. sign of weakness, but a sign of strength and courage.

What can I expect from therapy? 

Therapy usually involves meeting with a counselor for 45 to 60 minutes per session, once a week or every other week. The number and frequency of sessions may vary depending on your goals and progress. During the sessions, you and your counselor will work together to identify and explore your concerns, develop, and implement solutions, and evaluate the outcomes. You may also receive homework assignments or exercises to practice between sessions.

What are the benefits of therapy? 

Mental health counseling can help you improve your well-being, reduce your distress, enhance your coping skills, increase your self-awareness, and foster positive changes in your life. 

Do I need therapy? 

Therapy can help when we experience overwhelming emotions or destructive behaviors that are influencing your ability to engage in daily life . Therapists see people with a range of issues, but some common reasons for seeing a therapist include: 

• You have trouble processing something in your life, such as a trauma, a loss, or a change12. 
• You feel overwhelmed, angry, sad, or anxious most of the time. 
• You have difficulty functioning in your daily activities, such as work, school, or relationships.
• You have persistent or recurrent thoughts or behaviors that interfere with your well-being. 
• You have physical symptoms that are not attributed to a medical condition.
• You have experienced a significant change in your mood, appetite, sleep, or energy level. 

How do I get the most out of therapy? 

Therapy can be a life-changing experience, but it requires effort and commitment from both the therapist and the client. Here are some tips that can help you get the most out of your therapy sessions:

• Choose your therapist carefully: Finding a therapist who is a good fit for you is essential to the success of your treatment. Consider factors such as their specialization, approach, and personality when choosing a therapist.
• Handle the business side of therapy first: Before your first appointment, make sure you have squared away how you or your insurance will be paying for therapy and for how long. 
• View therapy as a collaboration: Therapy is a team effort, and your path to wellness requires active participation from both you and your therapist.
• Schedule sessions at a good time: Schedule your therapy sessions at a time when you are least likely to be distracted or stressed.
• Say anything in therapy: Be honest and open with your therapist about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This will help them understand your situation better and provide more effective treatment.
• Be patient: Therapy is not a quick fix, and it may take some time before you start seeing results. Be patient with yourself and the process. 
• Practice what you learn: Your therapist may give you homework or suggest exercises to practice between sessions. Make sure to follow through with these assignments to get the most out of your therapy. 
• Be consistent: Consistency is key when it comes to therapy. Attend all your scheduled sessions, even if you don’t feel like it.
• Be open to feedback: Your therapist may provide feedback or challenge some of your beliefs or behaviors during therapy. Be open to this feedback and willing to make changes if necessary.

What are the different kinds of therapy? 

According to Psychology Today, there are many different types of therapy available (you may hear them referred to as theories). Here are some of the most common types of therapy: 

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of therapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that are causing problems in your life. 
• Psychodynamic therapy: Psychodynamic therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on helping you understand how your unconscious thoughts and feelings are affecting your behavior.
• Humanistic therapy: Humanistic therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on helping you develop a more positive self-image and self-esteem.
• Interpersonal therapy: Interpersonal therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on improving your relationships with others. 
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): DBT is a type of therapy that focuses on helping you manage intense emotions and improve your relationships. The type of therapy that is best for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

How long will it take? 

There’s no set end date for therapy but there’s no obligation and you can stop whenever it feels right for you. Everyone’s journey and treatment plan play out differently and the timeline depends on a wide range of factors including what issues you are addressing and how quickly you make progress. We offer both short-term and long-term therapy, and we tailor our approaches to what you’re looking for.

How do I prepare for counseling? 

Before you start mental health counseling, you should have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and what you are willing to do to reach your goals. You should also be open and honest with your counselor, and willing to share your thoughts and feelings. 

• Once you have , we will email you a link to access our client portal. Call our office staff to determine if the therapist you are interested in working with can take on new clients. 
• The paperwork that needs to be completed prior to your initial visit will be posted on your client portal. Once. You review and sign the paperwork, then return it via the portal. Please include a copy of your valid driver’s license or identification card, and medication list. 
• Once your paperwork has been received, we will contact you to schedule your first appointment. We try our best to schedule appointments at times convenient for you.
• You will receive a reminder with a link to your initial appointment in your e-mail approximately 24 hours before the session. 
• Log on and meet with your therapist. Initial assessments typically last about 60 - 90 minutes and will require participation by the client and therapist only.

Please feel free to let us know if you are feeling anxious or worried before or during this first appointment, and bring any questions that you may have for your therapist. 

What is therapy like?

Your therapist will individualize a treatment plan for you. In general, therapy sessions include time for assessing your needs, skill building to help you find healthy ways to cope with stressors or mental health symptoms that you are experiencing, and time for processing or talking though ongoing stressors with your therapist. Therapy should feel like a normal conversation with someone who is engaged with you and will keep what you share confidential. Many clients find it is a place to be completely honest, enabling them to deal with the issues that are keeping them from living the life they want. 

Do you prescribe medication?

No. We don't have a medical doctor or psychiatrist on our team. Licensed professional counselors are trained to diagnose and treat mental health issues through talk therapy with behavioral and cognitive interventions. We can help you find a psychiatrist who can treat mental health issues with medication management, if needed.

Is therapy confidential?

 Confidentiality in counseling is a very important principle that protects the privacy and trust of the clients. It means that whatever is said between a counselor and a client is kept private, unless the client gives permission to share the information1. There are, however, some exceptions to this rule. A counselor may have to break confidentiality in the following situations:

• If the client poses a danger to themselves or others. For example, 
• If the counselor suspects the abuse of a child or an elderly or otherwise dependent adult23..
• If they are legally forced to by court order2. 

What will it feel like when I finish therapy?

How you feel when you finish therapy will depend on your specific goals. Some people just want to get from suffering unbearable anxiety to being able to feel they can handle life’s difficult moments in a healthier way. Others want to bring their lives to the next level to create confidence, inner peace, and resiliency. Still, others want to engage in a lifelong process of self-transformation and ever-deepening consciousness. What you put in will determine what you get out. 

What happens in a consultation call?

The initial consultation call is to give you an opportunity to see if a therapist is the right match for you prior to scheduling a session. Depending on your therapist, this may be up to 15-20 minutes. Use this call to ask your potential therapist questions (see questions to ask your therapist) and allow them to get a sense of who you are, what your goals are, and what you are struggling with. Don’t forget to discuss fees and other logistical information such as scheduling and location. If you have any hesitations about starting therapy in general, don’t be afraid to be open about that as well. Your potential therapist can address any doubts and help put your mind at ease. 

What happens in an initial therapy session?

Your initial therapy session depends on your therapist, your goals, and the modality the therapist is using. Typically, therapists will use your first session to gather your history and explore your struggles. You will discuss your goals and you and your therapist will develop a treatment plan. Your therapist will meet you wherever you are on your journey and will respect your level of comfort in sharing personal issues right off the bat. 

What happens in a regular therapy session? 

This may vary from therapist to therapist depending on their approach, the standard frame is a 50-minute session once per week. You and your therapist might decide together that you need frequent sessions based on a variety of factors such as the severity of what you’re going through, cost, and availability. Every therapist has a different approach, so your consultation phone call is a good time to get a better sense of their style and treatment frame. 

Do I have to talk about my childhood?

No. If there’s value in exploring your childhood, your therapist will let you know. You will never be forced to talk about something that makes you feel uncomfortable. It’s all about responding to your needs, preferences, and what is most helpful for you. 

What other activities and exercises might be used in therapy?

Homework in therapy is a common and effective practice that can help you apply what you learn in the sessions to your daily life. Homework can also help you practice new skills, cope with challenging situations, and monitor your progress. However, homework is not mandatory, and you can decide whether you want to do it or not.

Your therapist will respect your choice and work with you to find the best way to help you achieve your goals.

Journaling is a practice of documenting your thoughts, feelings, and experiences using techniques comfortable to you. Some people prefer writing in a journal, others may draw, or paint -the possibilities are endless. The focus is on what you share, not how. 

What is mindfulness? 

Mindfulness can involve meditation, breathing exercises, yoga, or other techniques that help you focus on your thoughts, feelings, sensations, and environment. Mindfulness can have many benefits for your health and well-being.

Do you have a physical office? 

No, not currently. Most of our services are virtual (online). When there are extenuating circumstances, we visit clients in the hospital, rehab facility, or other Healthcare facility. 

When will coaching and workshops be available?

We plan to offer workshops by the end of 2023. More information will be posted on our website and Facebook page soon. 

How do I reach you? 

Telephone: 409-256-6171 with voicemail and texting 

-Email: sandy@sandycrisp.com

-Website: sandycrisp.com

-Client Portal on the website sandycrisp.com (existing clients only)

-Facebook: Sandy Crisp Counseling (Messaging) 

If I don’t answer it will go to voicemail where you can leave a confidential message. I return calls within 24 hours. If your call is urgent, please indicate that in your message. I do not answer my phone or check messages when I’m in session with a client. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency do not call me. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

If I will be away for more than 24 hours, I will post the name and number of the therapist covering for me. It will be posted in your client portal. 

How much do you charge?

 The prices listed below represent our

 regular fees. Options are available if

 cost would prevent you from getting the

 help you need. Please contact us – we can 

help. 

Regular Full Session Fee: $100 

Regular Half Session Fee: $50

Initial Consultation Fee: Session Fee + $15 

Assessment / Testing / Evaluation Fees: $50-$500

We are an Open Paths provider.

Discounts are available to help you get the support you need. 

What payment methods do you use?

All major credit cards are accepted. 

Payment can be made online from the client portal. .

Can I use my insurance?

We do not accept insurance. However, in most cases we will provide services for the same price as your copay and do not limit services. Example: X insurance company allows you 4 visits with a $75 co-pay for each visit. We will reduce the price of services to equal the amount of your co-pay. In this example, we would collect $75 for each visit with no limit on the number of visits. 

Do you offer discounts? 

Yes, we have multiple options to help you pay for therapy. 

Can I get a Good Faith Estimate?

Yes, you have a right to a Good Faith Estimate of services. Please ask for more information.