Is therapy right for me?
Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one’s life such as a divorce or work transition. Many seek the advice of counsel as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
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.
How can therapy help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. 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
What is therapy like?
Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. It is standard for therapists to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around fifty minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect out of therapy:
Is medication a substitute for therapy?
In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what’s best for you. 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.
Is therapy confidential?
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client. However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:
If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW HEALTH CARE INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY. IT IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO PROTECT HEALTH CARE INFORMATION
We are required by law to protect the privacy of health care information about you and that identifies you. This may be information about health care services that we provide or are provided to you. It may also be information about your past, present, or future health care condition. We are also required by law to provide you with this Privacy Notice explaining our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to health care information. We are legally bound to follow the terms of this Notice. In other words, we are only allowed to use and disclose health care information in the manner that we have described in the Notice. We reserve the right to make changes and to make the new Notice effective for all health care information that we maintain. If we make changes to the Notice, we will provide you with a copy by mail or provide it in hand at your next appointment. We will not disclose healthcare information about you without signed permission from you or your legally responsible person/personal representative unless otherwise permitted/required by state and federal confidentiality/privacy laws. If you sign a consent allowing us to disclose healthcare information about you, you may later revoke or cancel it (except in very limited circumstances related to insurance coverage).
How We May Use and Disclose Your Healthcare Information
Treatment: Your Protected Health Information may be used and disclosed by those who are involved in your care for the purpose of providing, coordinating, linking or managing your health care or services. This may also include with clinical supervisors or other treatment team members. We may also disclose information to other consultants only with your approval and consent.
Payment: We may disclose your information in order to receive or submit payment for treatment services provided to you. This will only be done with your approval and consent.
Healthcare Operations: We will use your health information for healthcare operations and to support business activities. In addition, information will be used in an effort to continually improve the quality and effectiveness of the services we provide. We may also contact you via email or phone to provide you appointment reminders or information about treatment choices and services that may be of interest to you.
Required by Law: Under the law, we must make disclosures of your PHI to you upon your request. In addition, we must make disclosure to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for the purpose of investigating or determining our compliance with the requirements of the Privacy Rule.
Without Authorization: Applicable law and critical standards permit us to disclose information about you without your authorization only in a limited number of other situations. The types of uses and disclosures that may be made without your authorization are those
that are:
1. Required by Law, such as mandatory reporting of child abuse or neglect or mandatory government agency audits or investigations (such as the professional counselor licensing board
or the health department)
2. Required by Court Order
3. Necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of a person or the public. If information is disclosed to prevent or lessen a serious threat it will be disclosed to a person or persons reasonably able to prevent or lesson the threat, including the target of the
threat.
Verbal Permission: We may use or disclose your information to family members that are directly
involved in your treatment with your verbal permission.
With Authorization: Uses and disclosures not specifically permitted by applicable law will be made only with your written authorization, with may be revoked.
YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING PHI:
Right to inspect and request copy of record: You have the right to review your record, however, restricted access may be granted only in exceptional circumstances to inspect and copy protected health information that may be used to make decisions about your care. Restrictions will only be enforced when evidence is present that will or could cause serious harm to you. A fee may be charged for copies of records.
Right to Request Amendment to Record: If you believe that your health information is wrong or some information is missing in your record, you must make your request in writing. If the request is approved for amendment, we will change the information in your record, inform you, and tell others who need to know about the change.
Right to Request an Accounting of Certain Disclosures: You have the right to request an accounting by requesting information in writing.
Right to Request a Restriction of Uses or Disclosures: You have the right to ask that we limit how we use or disclose your healthcare information. We cannot agree to limit uses/disclosures that are required by law and am not required to agree with your request.
Right to Request an Alternate Method of Contact: You have the right to ask that we send your healthcare or billing information to or contact you at an address or phone number that is different than your home as well as to other locations or ways.
Filing a Complaint:
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated or you are dissatisfied with these privacy policies, procedures or practice, you can file a complaint or grievance in person or in writing at:
1909 JNPease Place, Suite 101
Charlotte, NC 28262
or with US DHHS within 180 days of when you knew or should have known that the act had occurred. The Secretary may waive this 180 day time limit if good cause is shown. There will be no retaliation against you for filing a complaint.
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