“Human greatness does not lie in wealth or power, but in character and goodness.”
Anne Frank
Anne Frank
FAQ
Help Center
You Ask - We Answer
You Ask - We Answer
Have a question you would like to ask? We are committed to giving clients the best care and experience we can. There is no such thing as a bad question when it comes to mental health.
Check out the answers to the FAQs below, and do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any additional questions.
Check out the answers to the FAQs below, and do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any additional questions.
What are the benefits of psychotherapy?
The therapeutic process seeks to meet goals established by all persons involved, usually revolving around a specific complaint(s). Participating in therapy may include benefits such as the resolution of presenting problems as well as improved intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships. The therapeutic process may reduce distress, enhance stress management, and increase one’s ability to cope with problems related to work, family, personal, relational, etc. Participating in therapy can lead to greater understanding of personal and relational goals and values. This can increase relational harmony and lead to greater happiness.
The therapeutic process seeks to meet goals established by all persons involved, usually revolving around a specific complaint(s). Participating in therapy may include benefits such as the resolution of presenting problems as well as improved intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships. The therapeutic process may reduce distress, enhance stress management, and increase one’s ability to cope with problems related to work, family, personal, relational, etc. Participating in therapy can lead to greater understanding of personal and relational goals and values. This can increase relational harmony and lead to greater happiness.
What to expect?
This is a safe space free of judgment to let go of your pain; in this place is where you will have a personal encounter with yourself; assisted by the therapeutic alliance, to heal, to be hopeful, to be inspired and to improve at many levels.
In order for clients to reach their therapeutic goals, it is essential they complete tasks assigned between sessions. Therapy is not a quick fix. It takes time and effort, and therefore, may move slower than your expectations. During the therapy process, we identify goals, review progress, and modify the treatment plan as needed.
Progress will be assessed on a regular basis and feedback from clients will be elicited to ensure the most effective therapeutic services are provided.
This is a safe space free of judgment to let go of your pain; in this place is where you will have a personal encounter with yourself; assisted by the therapeutic alliance, to heal, to be hopeful, to be inspired and to improve at many levels.
In order for clients to reach their therapeutic goals, it is essential they complete tasks assigned between sessions. Therapy is not a quick fix. It takes time and effort, and therefore, may move slower than your expectations. During the therapy process, we identify goals, review progress, and modify the treatment plan as needed.
Progress will be assessed on a regular basis and feedback from clients will be elicited to ensure the most effective therapeutic services are provided.
How long is a typical therapy session?
Therapy sessions are typically weekly or biweekly for 45 or 60 minutes depending upon the nature of the presenting challenges. It is difficult to initially predict how many sessions will be needed. We will collaboratively discuss from session to session what the next steps are and how often therapy sessions will occur.
Therapy sessions are typically weekly or biweekly for 45 or 60 minutes depending upon the nature of the presenting challenges. It is difficult to initially predict how many sessions will be needed. We will collaboratively discuss from session to session what the next steps are and how often therapy sessions will occur.
Why do we work with children, adolescents and families?
We understand that childhood and adolescence are critical stages during the development of human being. In general, it can be a exciting time of transitions and changes for children, preteens, teens and families. However this can be a difficult time when trauma is experienced during these stages of life. We work with children, adolescents and their families as a collaborative wellness approach to explore this challenging time while helping them to become who they are, assisting them during the healing and recovery process and strengthen the relationship with their family.
We understand that childhood and adolescence are critical stages during the development of human being. In general, it can be a exciting time of transitions and changes for children, preteens, teens and families. However this can be a difficult time when trauma is experienced during these stages of life. We work with children, adolescents and their families as a collaborative wellness approach to explore this challenging time while helping them to become who they are, assisting them during the healing and recovery process and strengthen the relationship with their family.
What are our most use interventions?
We implement evidence-based practice interventions following trauma informed care and strengths-based perspectives some of the most use techniques are: Trauma Focus-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Art Therapy, Sand Tray, Play Therapy, Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Integrative Psychotherapy, Trauma-Informed Yoga and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
We implement evidence-based practice interventions following trauma informed care and strengths-based perspectives some of the most use techniques are: Trauma Focus-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Art Therapy, Sand Tray, Play Therapy, Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Integrative Psychotherapy, Trauma-Informed Yoga and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
What is our treatment approach?
Individual Therapy, Family Therapy and Group Therapy.
Individual Therapy, Family Therapy and Group Therapy.
What do we focus on?
Complex Trauma, Trauma and PTSD, Sexual Abuse and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children.
Complex Trauma, Trauma and PTSD, Sexual Abuse and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children.
Why children, adolescents, family and trauma?
Many children in the U.S. are exposed to traumatic life events
Almost all children experience acute distress immediately after exposure to a traumatic life event
Parents and families are also affected, and their responses affect how children react to trauma
Most children with persistent trauma-related distress do not receive psychological treatment
Many children in the U.S. are exposed to traumatic life events
- About half experience a traumatic event (abuse, violence, terrorism, disaster, traumatic loss).
- Many experience more than one such event.
- Many live with chronic trauma, with no time for healing between events.
Almost all children experience acute distress immediately after exposure to a traumatic life event
- Most return to prior levels of functioning with time and support from family and trusted adults.
- A substantial minority develop ongoing distress that may warrant clinical attention.
- Reactions vary with age, maturity and exposure to chronic trauma.
- Children exposed to chronic and pervasive trauma are especially vulnerable to the impact of subsequent trauma.
Parents and families are also affected, and their responses affect how children react to trauma
- Family members can react differently to the same event.
- Developmental level and culture affect child perceptions of trauma, resources for coping and family interactions.
Most children with persistent trauma-related distress do not receive psychological treatment
- Few trauma-exposed children with symptoms that warrant clinical attention receive services.
- Fewer still receive treatments that can be effective, such as cognitive–behavioral therapy.
How mental health professionals can help?
- Identify trauma-exposed children and provide culturally appropriate information and support.
- Help children and families make connections for follow-up and intervention.
- With special training, participate in culturally responsive community disaster and emergency response.
- Provide consultation to professionals in schools, health care settings, spiritual settings and other service systems who see trauma-exposed children and families.
- Obtain training in developmentally and culturally appropriate evidence-based therapies for child trauma to effectively treat children who do not recover on their own.
How mental health professionals respond to child trauma?
Provide education and hope
Match care to child needs and phase of recovery
Immediately after trauma:
Understand child, family and cultural perspectives
Provide education and hope
- Convey an expectation of full recovery.
- Help child and family understand expected/normal trauma reactions, identify and use their existing coping skills and know when to ask for additional help.
Match care to child needs and phase of recovery
Immediately after trauma:
- Attend first to basic needs: safety, shelter, reuniting family.
- Assess initial responses and arrange to follow up over time.
- Support parent, family and community efforts to provide safe, developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive recovery environment; reduce ongoing exposure to stressors/secondary traumas; reestablish normal roles and routines; activate support among kinship networks and spiritual and community systems.
- Allow children to express feelings if they want to.
- Help parents and other key adults to be aware of and manage their own reactions; and listen to and understand the child's reactions.
- Assess risk factors for persistent adverse reactions
- Assess needs that may warrant intervention, such as severe or persistent distress, numbing or impairment; reduced capacity of family/community to support child; self-destructive or violent behaviors.
- Provide (or refer for) effective trauma-focused treatment.
- Respect child and family readiness for treatment.
- Keep doors open for future treatment
Understand child, family and cultural perspectives
- Listen carefully to child and family.
- Incorporate extended families and kinship networks.
- Ask about and respect cultural and spiritual perspectives on trauma, reactions and interventions.
Why we do not accept insurance?
Reduced Ability to Choose
Most health care plans today (insurance, PPO, HMO, etc.) offer little coverage and/or reimbursement for mental health services. Most HMOs and PPOs require “preauthorization” before you can receive services. This means you must call the company and justify why you are seeking therapeutic services in order for you to receive reimbursement. The insurance representative, who may or may not be a mental health professional, will decide whether services will be allowed. If authorization is given, you are often restricted to seeing the providers on the insurance company’s list. Reimbursement is reduced if you choose someone who is not on the contracted list; consequently, your choice of providers is often significantly restricted.
Pre-Authorization and Reduced Confidentiality
Insurance typically authorizes several therapy sessions at a time. When these sessions are finished, your therapist must justify the need for continued services. Sometimes additional sessions are not authorized, leading to an end of the therapeutic relationship even if therapeutic goals are not completely met. Your insurance company may require additional clinical information that is confidential in order to approve or justify a continuation of services. Confidentiality cannot be assured or guaranteed when an insurance company requires information to approve continued services. Even if the therapist justifies the need for ongoing services, your insurance company may decline services. Your insurance company dictates if treatment will or will not be covered. Note: Personal information might be added to national medical information data banks regarding treatment.
Negative Impacts of a Psychiatric Diagnosis
Insurance companies require clinicians to give a mental health diagnosis (i.e., “major depression” or “obsessive-compulsive disorder”) for reimbursement. Psychiatric diagnoses may negatively impact you in the following ways:
Why Clinicians Do Not Take Insurance?
These involve enhanced quality of care and other advantages:
Reduced Ability to Choose
Most health care plans today (insurance, PPO, HMO, etc.) offer little coverage and/or reimbursement for mental health services. Most HMOs and PPOs require “preauthorization” before you can receive services. This means you must call the company and justify why you are seeking therapeutic services in order for you to receive reimbursement. The insurance representative, who may or may not be a mental health professional, will decide whether services will be allowed. If authorization is given, you are often restricted to seeing the providers on the insurance company’s list. Reimbursement is reduced if you choose someone who is not on the contracted list; consequently, your choice of providers is often significantly restricted.
Pre-Authorization and Reduced Confidentiality
Insurance typically authorizes several therapy sessions at a time. When these sessions are finished, your therapist must justify the need for continued services. Sometimes additional sessions are not authorized, leading to an end of the therapeutic relationship even if therapeutic goals are not completely met. Your insurance company may require additional clinical information that is confidential in order to approve or justify a continuation of services. Confidentiality cannot be assured or guaranteed when an insurance company requires information to approve continued services. Even if the therapist justifies the need for ongoing services, your insurance company may decline services. Your insurance company dictates if treatment will or will not be covered. Note: Personal information might be added to national medical information data banks regarding treatment.
Negative Impacts of a Psychiatric Diagnosis
Insurance companies require clinicians to give a mental health diagnosis (i.e., “major depression” or “obsessive-compulsive disorder”) for reimbursement. Psychiatric diagnoses may negatively impact you in the following ways:
- Denial of insurance when applying for disability or life insurance;
- Company (mis)control of information when claims are processed;
- Loss of confidentiality due to the increased number of persons handling claims;
- Loss of employment and/or repercussions of a diagnosis in situations where you may be required to reveal a mental health disorder diagnosis on your record. This includes but is not limited to: applying for a job, financial aid, and/or concealed weapons permits.
- A psychiatric diagnosis can be brought into a court case (ie: divorce court, family law, criminal, etc.).
Why Clinicians Do Not Take Insurance?
These involve enhanced quality of care and other advantages:
- You are in control of your care, including choosing your therapist, length of treatment, etc.
- Increased privacy and confidentiality (except for limits of confidentiality).
- Not having a mental health disorder diagnosis on your medical record.
- Consulting with me on non-psychiatric issues that are important to you that aren’t billable by insurance, such as learning how to cope with life changes, gaining more effective communication techniques for your relationships, increasing personal insight, and developing healthy new skills.
After reading our position on why we do not accept health insurance, you still may decide to use your health insurance. If you provide us with a list of therapists on your insurance provider list, We will do our best to recommend a therapist for you.
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Integrative Therapy Center, LLC
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