Respecting The Journey
Cindi Rieb, MA, LPC
P.O. Box 263
Johnstown, CO 80534
970-587-4963
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can therapy help me?
Therapists provide support, problem-solving skills and coping strategies for issues such as anxiety, panic, depression, grief, stress management, and relationship problems. Additional issues to work on would be personal growth, marriage issues, family concerns and stress of everyday life in the fast paced world that we live in. You can benefit from therapy depending on how well you use the process and put into practice the coping skills and strategies you will learn.
How do I know if I need therapy?
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of maturity. We all go through challenging situations in life whether it be marital issues, family issues, past relationships, childhood issues, work issues, etc. Therapy supplies you with the tools you need to avoid triggers, redirect negative thoughts to positive thoughts and overcoming any challenges you may face in your life.
Why do people go to therapy?
There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Some need assistance in handling stress, others may be going through a major life transition such as divorce, separation, unemployment, domestic violence, etc. There are numerous other reasons for seeking therapy such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and relationship problems. People seeking psychotherapy are ready to accept the challenges in their lives and make the necessary changes to lead a more productive and healthy life.
What can I expect in therapy?
You will meet with the therapist in a safe, comfortable environment to address any issues or goals you wish to discuss. Each person is unique so each therapy will be styled to meet your specific needs. However, you can expect to discuss the current life events happening in your life, your past history and what progress you have made from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term if you have one specific area you wish to work on or long-term if you have more difficult life patterns you wish to change to improve your life journey.
Commonly, therapy is scheduled with either weekly or bi-weekly sessions. It is very important to understand that you will get the best results from therapy if you actively participate in the process and are completely honest with the therapist. The purpose of therapy is to help you incorporate what you have learned in session into your daily life. Therefore, the therapist may suggest journaling, reading pertinent books, noting particular behaviors, or writing letters to significant people in your life. People who seek therapy are ready to make a positive change in their lives.
If I take medication, do I still need psychotherapy?
Therapy addresses the cause of your distress and behavior patterns that stand in your way of progress. Medication will treat the symptom and help you to get over the rough patches in your life so that you can concentrate fully on making the changes you might need to overcome the symptoms you are feeling. It is important to discuss with your medical doctor what is best for you and the possibility of a combination of medication and therapy.
What about confidentiality?
Confidentially in therapy is one of the most important ingredients between the therapist and the client. Successful therapy depends greatly on trust that the sensitive matters discussed in session are kept confidential. The therapist will provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement which is called the Informed Consent. This agreement explains the confidentiality you can expect in therapy. However, you may want your therapist to share information with other professionals (i.e., school counselors, medical doctors, etc.) which the therapist will do with your written permission.
State law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentially except for the following situations:
Any suspected incident of child or elder abuse or neglect will be reported to law enforcement;
Any threat of imminent physical harm by a client will be reported to law enforcement and to the person(s) threatened;
Evaluate and seek immediate treatment for a client who is imminently dangerous to self or to others, or
who becomes gravely disabled, as a result of a mental disorder or a medical condition.
Do you take insurance?
Some mental health agencies will take insurance. However, some do not. If an agency does not take insurance meaning that they accept checks, credit cards or cash only, then you can ask for a form to submit directly to your insurance company. Many insurance plans reimburse for some portion of psychotherapy. Please direct questions about reimbursement amounts and timeliness to your insurance company. Questions to ask your insurance provider regarding your coverage might be:
1. Does my insurance provider or employee benefit plan cover mental health?
2. Do I have a deductible and has it been met?
3. What is the number of sessions per year that are covered and what percentage of each session is covered?
4. Is approval or a referral from my primary care physician required?
5. Is a diagnosis required?
6. How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?