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How do I know if I need Psychotherapy?
Just the fact that you are considering getting some professional help is a clue that it’s probably a good idea to talk with a counselor. If you have tried everything you can think of and are still feeling “stuck” in negative patterns of emotions, thoughts, behaviors or relationship patterns, it’s time to seek help. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or others you should seek help immediately by calling 911 or going to an emergency room.
The National Mental Health Association suggests psychotherapy for people when:
- They feel an overwhelming and prolonged sense of sadness, helplessness, and hopelessness.
- Their emotional difficulties make it hard for them to function from day to day.
- Their actions are harmful to themselves or to others.
- They are troubled by emotional difficulties facing family members or close friends.
- They are having problems with interpersonal relationships.
What is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy, also called “talk therapy” or counseling, is the process of self-awareness and personal growth that occurs through the therapeutic relationship. Through this relationship clients are helped to resolve emotional “blocks”, to gain insight into their emotions, to change troubling behaviors, to resolve problems, and to develop skills that allow them to feel better, make healthy life choices, and experience more fulfilling relationships. Therapy sessions are held in different formats, such as individual, couple, family and group.
How do I know if my child needs Play Therapy?
Sometimes a teacher or a great pediatrician may suggest you take your child to talk to someone. Maybe there’s been something happen in your child’s life that has caused them to lose sleep, regress in some way, or display anxious behaviors. Maybe your child seems sad a lot. Maybe there has been a recent move or a divorce/family separation that has been confusing and painful for your child. Maybe you just know in your gut that something isn’t right with your child – but you don’t know how to help them.
A good rule of thumb is that if something has happened in YOUR life that you are having a hard time coping with – you can be certain that your child is not coping well either. Feel free to contact us at (801)361-6329 to discuss whether or not your child could benefit from play therapy. Also, please read the questions and answers under the "Services for Children" section of this website for more information on who can benefit from play therapy and what the process is like for children.
How will therapy help?
The therapist’s role is to guide you in your process of self-awareness and act as a catalyst for behavior change by uncovering ways that you are unknowingly hindering your own progress. A good therapist helps you to develop the skills and insight to make desired changes in your life. A positive therapeutic relationship provides a safe environment to explore emotions, thoughts, and behavior in a “relationship” laboratory of sorts; a chance to try out new ways of relating, responding, and feeling.
Will my Health Insurance pay for therapy?
We are a private pay therapy practice. We accept cash, check, and all major credit cards—through PayPal (a secure online billing/payment service). We accept Crime Victim’s Reparations funds (CVR) and we also accept direct payments from LDS Bishops and other religious clergy, if you have their prior approval.
While we do not work directly with health insurance companies, we are happy to provide you with forms to submit to seek reimbursement from your insurance company. You may want to call them to ask if your plan has “out-of-network mental health benefits” and get details about your benefits.
In recent years, the confidentiality of psychotherapy has been undermined by medical insurance companies that require therapists to submit information about their patients. People who use their medical insurance or disability insurance to pay for psychotherapy waive some of their rights to confidentiality.
When you use your insurance, a psychiatric diagnosis must be assigned and transmitted to your insurance company, detailed clinical information often must be provided by your therapist, and in the case of “in network benefits,” total access to patient files must be provided to insurance company employees. Further, insurance companies often attempt to influence the methods or course of treatment so as to save money. That means treatment decisions are taken away from you and your therapist, the two people in the best position to make such decisions. Finally, psychiatric diagnoses may affect your ability to obtain future health or life insurance at a reasonable cost.
In the case of children and mental health treatment, please carefully consider the effect a psychiatric diagnosis will have on your child throughout his/her life. When using your insurance to access mental health services, you are NOT guaranteed that your child’s mental health information will stay confidential. In fact, in order for insurance to cover the cost of mental health treatment for your child, a therapist MUST give your child a diagnosis from the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). This is a label you would probably like to avoid attaching to your child, as it may follow them throughout their life.
Do you have evening and weekend appointments available?
Yes! Our clients often work 9-5 jobs and need an evening or Saturday appointment. Children have school and other commitments that make Saturday appointments necessary. Please call for more information: (801)691-2711. Or email: tifflcsw@yahoo.com.
What can I expect on my first visit?
Your first therapy appointment will most likely last 60-90 minutes. This first session is an information gathering time (assessment)—where you will be able to tell your story and your therapist will ask a lot of questions to get to the heart of how to best help you. If the client is a child, this first session will usually consist of the therapist meeting alone with the parent and then alone with the child. During alone time with the therapist, any questions the parent may have about therapy or their child’s particular situation can be addressed.
Weekly or bi-weekly sessions are generally 50 minutes in length depending upon the needs of the client.
Group sessions last 90 minutes and are held weekly.
Is therapy confidential?
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and a psychotherapist. Information is not disclosed without written permission. However, there are number of exceptions to this rule. Exceptions include:
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Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
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If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s. The therapist must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
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If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in insuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, further measures may be taken without their permission in order to ensure their safety.
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