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FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Making the decision to start therapy is often born out of a desire and/or need for a better quality of life. We believe that everyone can benefit from therapy at some point in their lives, and we look forward to a time where there is no stigma about seeking care. When one is deciding whether therapy is right for them, there are always questions. Below, we have answered some of the most common questions we hear.
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How can therapy help?Therapists can provide support, facilitate insight, problem-solving, and enhanced coping strategies to address and manage or resolve presenting problems such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress, body image issues, and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset when it comes to enhancing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family functioning, marital life, and managing day to day stressors. Therapists have the ability to help you develop greater self-awareness and perspective, handle difficult problems, and find your own solutions.
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What are the benefits of therapy?The effectiveness of therapy depends on how well a client uses the process and puts into practice what they learn. Once a client is on the right path, there are a number of benefits to be gained from participating in counseling, including: Gaining a greater understanding of yourself, your goals, and your values Improving communication and listening skills necessary to improve relationships Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones Working through past grief and trauma Transformation from victimization to surviving to thriving in the present
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What kind of person seeks therapy?Courageous people who realize they want to make beneficial changes in their lives. People who seek much-needed encouragement and tools to get through difficult periods. People who have a desire to improve communication with others and gain a better understanding of themselves. People who want assistance to work through disappointments, regrets, and traumas of the past, and help create a brighter future. For both the short- and long-term outcomes, the tools gained in therapy can help you take control of yourself so you can create the life you want and face the inevitable challenges of life as they come
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I can usually handle my own problems. Do I really need therapy?While there are many paths to a healthier, purposeful, and satisfying life, psychotherapy provides a unique opportunity to engage in a dialogue with a trained, nonjudgmental person in a safe, confidential space to help you see yourself and your circumstances with greater clarity.
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What is therapy like?Every person is different, with differing needs and goals, so each interaction is unique. Therapists are also uniquely different. That being said, therapy has a beginning, middle, and ending phase of care. Throughout, you can expect to have a safe and confidential space to talk and express your thoughts and feelings. You are encouraged to address any questions or concerns you may have with your therapist, and we especially encourage you to speak with your therapist about anything you are uncomfortable with about your therapy! Initial Phase - you and the therapist are developing a relationship and identifying the most beneficial areas to work on first. Middle Phase - core issues are being addressed at the pace determined by the therapist and client(s). Sometimes adjunct therapies are introduced at this time to enhance the treatment goals. Ending Phase - is a planful process where the therapist and client agree that the goals of treatment are at a point where the client has made enough progress to essentially become their own therapist. The end of therapy is to be celebrated! It does not mean you will never need formal therapy again in life, just that the reasons you came for therapy are no longer interfering with your life and you are in enough control to continue growing and developing on your own.
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How often should I go to therapy? And for how long?Depending on the presenting problems, therapy is often shorter when a client has behavioral, situational, or developmental challenges, or when specific treatments can affect change rapidly. Longer term therapy is generally indicated when working to resolve long standing difficulties and complex problems, or when a mental health disorder is a life-long challenge that must be managed. Others use therapy for ongoing personal development. This plan would be discussed between the client and the clinician. With regard to frequency of visits, it is common to initially schedule a regular weekly session with your therapist and as progress is made, to shift to longer intervals of biweekly, monthly, or even quarterly sessions.
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Is there anyone who cannot recieve therapy?We do believe that therapy can be beneficial for absolutely everyone regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, ability, identity, or background. At CCCC we can treat most mental health problems that children, teens, and adults have. Our team of therapists work with individuals on a personal, one-on-one basis to ensure an effective, sustainable plan of treatment. There are times however, when the level of care needed exceeds our capacity to help as a private outpatient therapy practice. We are not a substance abuse facility, so if a person has a substance abuse problem that cannot be managed while working on their mental health issue, we are likely to make additional referrals to supplement or replace their care with us. Similarly, if the severity of the problem is beyond our capacity to safely treat an individual, we are likely to refer that person temporarily or permanently to a higher level of care such as a community mental health setting, a more intensive treatment setting, or in life threatening cases, to a hospital for evaluation for inpatient care.
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What about medication versus psychotherapy?For most of the people that we see, therapy alone is effective in resolving the presenting problems. However, best practices for certain types of depression and mood disorders, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD and more, often require medication interventions in addition to therapy. In these cases, the combination of psychotherapy with medication is most beneficial. We regularly refer to psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners in the area as needed and are aware that many of our clients’ primary care physicians are willing to prescribe appropriate medicines as well. In addition to traditional medicine, we may recommend other avenues of adjunctive care such as homeopathic or naturopathic medicine, yoga, neurobiofeedback, exercise, and more.
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Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?Absolutely! Confidentiality is one of the cornerstones of therapy and is of great importance to the relationship between client and therapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust and clients are assured that their personal information will not be discussed anywhere but the therapist’s office unless there are very limited and extreme circumstances. If you would like your therapist to share information with someone on your healthcare team, such as your physician, employer, school, attorney, etc. we will have you sign a “release of information” to allow the communication. Information on confidentiality can be found on the Health and Human Services website https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/guidance-materials-for-consumers/index.html.
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Does CCCC offer a tele-health option?Yes. Since the pandemic of 2020 began, we have been using telehealth effectively. It has been found to be so advantageous with our current clients and allowed us to be accessible to people in various locations who previously were not able to travel to our physical locations.
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Does CCCC have an inclement weather policy?All of our locations follow the guidance of their local government. In the event of closing, your Care Coordinator will reach out to you immediately and if possible, convert the visit to a telehealth visit or reschedule for a later date.
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