What is counseling psychology?
Counseling psychology is a specialty within the profession of psychology that focuses on promoting optimal functioning across the lifespan.
What is the difference between counseling and therapy?
There’s no difference. Historically, the term counseling was used to describe professional help for “normal” or circumstantial problems whereas therapy implied that there was a deeper issue, such as a mental disorder or a problematic personality pattern. In practice today, the words are virtually interchangeable. We use the term “therapy” throughout this site to communicate that we work with clients who are struggling with both mental health issues and/or navigating through normal life transitions. However, both words accurately reflect what we do.
How can therapy help me?
Psychotherapy can offer many benefits, including but not limited to:
- Developing skills for improving your relationship with yourself and others
- Gaining new ways to cope with stress, anxiety or other physical or emotional challenges
- Learning new and effective problem-solving skills
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your life goals and values
- Managing depression, grief, anger and other challenges
- Understanding yourself and living more authentically
- Strengthening communication skills
- Gaining insight from unresolved childhood issues
- Replacing old and ineffective patterns of behavior with new ones
- Discovering new ways to resolve relationship issues
- Boosting your self-esteem and self-confidence
- Feeling acknowledged and supported
Why do people go to therapy?
People go to therapy for many reasons. Many people seek extra support and help with developing coping skills when struggling with a major life transition, such as a divorce, a move or a new job. Others may be responding to trauma or experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, identity issues, grief, self-esteem challenges, addiction, work issues or just a sense of feeling “off” or overwhelmed. Some people have a specific goal in mind, perhaps a specific behavior that they would like to change. No matter how you arrive in therapy, we recognize the courage that it takes to seek help; we will meet you where you are and provide you with the support you need.
What happens in a therapy session?
Therapy sessions are customized to meet each client’s need, but your first session is what we call an “intake” session where your therapist will gather background information about your history and goals for therapy. During subsequent sessions, we will discuss what’s going on in your life, emotions you’re experiencing and root causes, events that have taken place and how you’ve responded to them, challenges you are facing and lessons learned or insights gained from the previous session or sessions. The client/therapist relationship is collaborative; you will make greater progress when you actively participate in the therapeutic process.
What is your therapeutic (theoretical) approach?
Our approach to psychotherapy is integrative, incorporating many different theories of change. Many different forms of psychotherapy are supported as effective treatments for a variety of mental health issues. Therapists at Nashville Psych have been trained in several approaches.
Our work starts with the premise that every one of our clients deserves empathy, unconditional acceptance and that we bring my authentic self to each meeting. We view therapy as inherently collaborative. For your treatment to be successful, you and your therapist will work together toward achieving your goals. While we have extensive training and experience in psychology and helping others, we empower on you to be the expert on you. Your participation and input are instrumental to the outcome of therapy. Thus, our counseling style depends on your needs at any particular point in treatment. In general, our goal is to meet you wherever you are in understanding yourself, what you are going through and the changes you may want to make to live a more fulfilling, authentic life.
How much does therapy cost?
Information about our fees can be found here.
Do you take insurance?
We are out-of-network providers, which means that the full fee for our service is due at the time of the appointment. If you choose, you may of course submit claims to your insurance company. We will provide you with service bills (super bills) and claim forms that have everything you need to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. The amount covered by your insurance company will vary depending upon your plan. However, we have an insurance reimbursement estimate tool you can use here.
How much will I get reimbursed?
Reimbursement rates differ between insurance companies, so you should contact your insurance provider by calling the customer service number listed on the back of your insurance card and ask about mental or behavioral health benefits. You may also want to ask what amount is covered for each out-of-network therapy session, the number of out-of-network therapy sessions that your plan covers and whether approval is required from your primary care physician.
How long will therapy last?
Depending on your own unique needs, therapy can be short-term (4-10 sessions), for a specific issue or goal, or long-term (10+ sessions), to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for continued personal growth.
How often will we meet?
It is most common to schedule regular (weekly or every two weeks) sessions until difficulties begin to subside or your goals are reached. During severe crises, we have met with individuals more than once per week. Generally, more growth can be experienced through weekly therapy, but meeting every two weeks can provide ample time to practice new skills between sessions. We can discuss which option seems more appropriate for your unique situation.
How do I know when our therapy is finished?
Throughout our relationship, we will discuss goals and our progress in working toward those goals. Usually, once it has been mutually determined that goals have been satisfactorily reached or when you determine that you no longer need the supportive relationship, we set an end date together. Once that end date is established, we use our remaining time to consolidate growth and discuss the most helpful aspects of therapy.
Can you prescribe me medication?
We are psychologists and licensed professional counselors and do not have the ability to prescribe medications. If you desire medication, we will refer you to a psychiatrist with whom we will collaborate on your care.
What is psychological assessment?
Psychological assessment is a process of objectively and sometimes subjectively examining an individual’s knowledge, skills, beliefs, attitudes and emotional, relational and behavioral patterns to help answer a variety of questions, typically posed by the individual, his/her parent (if the client is a child) and/or mental health professional. It is a tool for assessing psychological, social, emotional, academic or occupational strengths and weaknesses, providing diagnostic information and informing treatment recommendations.
What is psychological testing?
Testing refers to measuring an individual’s knowledge or skill in a particular area, as in intellectual and achievement testing. Psychological assessment can include this type of testing.
How should I prepare myself/my child for a psychological assessment or testing and what should I expect?
In order to get the best results for psychological assessment or testing, it is important that you or your child gets a restful night sleep and has eaten a balanced meal prior to the assessment/testing time. When the assessment/testing is scheduled for several hours, please bring a snack, as we will take a snack break to keep you or your child energized throughout the appointment.
Please provide us with any previous testing reports on the day of the evaluation. If convenient, you may drop the report off at our office prior to the evaluation day.
Parents, it is most helpful to collaborate during the testing process, which means developing clear questions to be answered through the assessment, participating fully during the interview and completing all self-report instruments in a timely manner.
What is the difference between a brief and a comprehensive assessment?
A brief assessment is performed when you only have a question about ADHD. This assessment involves an interview, personality testing, self-report symptom inventories and a review of developmental history provided by a parent or someone familiar with you as a child. If the assessment is for a child under 12, it will also include gathering parent- and teacher-reports about current behaviors at school and at home.
A comprehensive assessment will include the above brief assessment, and in addition incorporates cognitive and achievement testing in an effort to thoroughly answer the questions you have about the difficulties you or your child may be experiencing.
With both the comprehensive and brief assessments, a detailed report is provided to you and the results and recommendations are explained during a scheduled feedback session.
I am a college student and I can’t focus in my classes. Can you give me a diagnosis of ADHD so that I can get stimulant medication and academic accommodations from my school?
This is a very common question and the answer depends upon the results of your psychological assessment. If the results are in support of a diagnosis of ADHD, those would most likely be among the recommendations. However, difficulty focusing is a symptom that overlaps with a number of other mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression. In order to diagnose a developmental disability such as ADHD, there must be sufficient evidence of symptoms and impairment at home and at school/work beginning in childhood.
I’m worried about telling you all the details about my life. What if it gets out somehow?
Confidentiality is your right mandated by law. It differentiates a client/therapist relationship from a friendship or another kind of professional relationship.
Except for certain circumstances described below, we are required to maintain your confidentiality at all times:
- Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, vulnerable adults, and elders.
- If we have reason to suspect that you are in imminent danger of harming yourself or another person.
- If we receive a court order to release your records.
Prior to our meeting, you can view and download a written copy of our Service Agreement to review the confidentiality statement as well as other aspects of our treatment relationship. Sometimes, you may want us to collaborate on your treatment with another healthcare professional. We have to obtain your written permission before we communicate with anyone about your treatment.
Have another question? Contact us now at clientcare@nashvillepsych.com or (615) 582-2882.
