Counseling is worth it!

It is common for clients to hesitate before committing to the therapy process. The hesitation is usually associated with cost. It’s too much money! I can’t afford it! I have so many other things that I could be doing with that money…

Before you decide, ask yourself some probing questions… Are you worth it? Would you be willing to invest in the mental wellbeing of a loved one? The answer is probably yes and yes. What would life look like for you if you had the coping skills to deal with your situation?

Let me encourage you. You ARE worth it! Go ahead and invest the time and resources needed to get well. Set aside a number of other, lesser priorities and decide to invest in yourself. You will not regret it. One right word at the right moment has the potential to change your life forever!

FAQs about Therapy

How can therapy help me?

A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
Developing skills for improving your relationships
Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
Improving communications and listening skills
Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

Do I really need therapy?

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you’ve faced, there’s nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you’re at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.

People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy. Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts and creative blocks. Therapy can help provide some much needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods. Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life. In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives.

What is therapy like?

Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your therapist (usually weekly).

It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process – such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals. People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives.

Medication vs. psychotherapy

It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what’s best for you, and in some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.

What type of training do you have?

I received a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. Subsequently I passed several competency examinations prior to being licensed in California:

National Counselors Examination (NCE)
National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)
California LPCC Law and Ethics Examination

I pursued advanced training in Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy and am registered with the EMDR international Association (EMDRIA) as an EMDR Certified Therapist.

What license do you hold?

Fees and Insurance

Fees for services are set prior to the beginning of the first session and are due at the conclusion of each session. The fee for a 50-minute session is $125.00, unless otherwise agreed. The fee for report writing is billed at $125.00 per hour. An itemized bill (a ‘superbill’) will be provided to you reflecting rendered services for purposes of reimbursement by your insurance carrier.

To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them. Look for the telephone number on your insurance card under Mental Health Benefits. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers.

Some helpful questions you can ask them:

What are my mental health benefits? Is there coverage for mental health services? If so, are there any limitations on the coverage?
What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
Is this practice in network? (Mary-Anne Wijting, LPCC. NPI# 1811380785)
How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
Are there any limitations on the frequency of session (weekly or yearly)
How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network psychotherapist?
Is approval required from my primary care physician?

Also, some employers offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that may cover the cost of counseling services for you. Please check with your human resources or personnel office for information.

I accept payment from the following insurance carriers and programs:

Aspire
Coastal Healthcare Administration (Coastal)
MBIPA
MHN
HMC Healthworks
Victims of Crime (VoC) program

Cancellation policy

Confidentiality and Privacy

The law protects the relationship between a client and a psychotherapist, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission.

Exceptions include:

Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse, for which I am required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s, I must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
If a client intends to harm himself or herself, I will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in ensuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, I will take further measures without their permission that are provided to me by law in order to ensure their safety.

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.Prov. 4:23

Contact Me!