How can therapy help?
Participating in therapy can provide many personal opportunities and benefits.
Working with a therapist can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for a number of issues and problems. A therapist can be an invaluable resource to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, daily struggles and 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.
If my prior therapy didn't help, should I try it again?
If you have worked with a therapist in the past and feel the experience did not make any meaningful change, there may be questions and doubts whether it is worth the resources to try again. Much of the success in therapy is based on your comfort and trust with the therapist. Although therapy is not always comfortable, a therapist’s approach and style often help in developing a trusting relationship that fosters and allows difficult topics to be brought up and uncomfortable emotions to be experienced. Every therapeutic relationship is unique and new therapist may provide the safety and support you need to face difficult challenges and finally feel improvement. Just as in life, we cannot allow past experiences define our future.
What is therapy like?
Each person comes into therapy with different needs and goals, therefore the experience will be different for each person. No matter the need or reason that brought you in, you can expect to discuss personal history with current events, as well as gained insights. Therapy sessions allow for work and expression to occur ‘in the moment’ while insight is often gained throughout the process and may include a number of interventions and actions to be taken while not in session. The length of treatment may be short-term for a specific goal, or longer- term to address difficult issues or recurring patterns. Treatment plans are designed by you and your therapist based on your needs and goals, with therapy being most effective with regular sessions.
What can I expect in therapy?
It is helpful to see therapy as a tool to use when it is needed. With this in mind, it is important to understand that progress and results are related to your active participation in the process. We all are complex individuals with a spectrum of experiences, emotions and troubles. While in therapy, addressing these may be uncomfortable and you may hear things that you don’t want to hear, and that’s ok. Those who seek therapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives.
Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?
Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and therapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. A therapist will provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement (this is called “Informed Consent”), and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone.
Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (Physician, Psychiatrist, Attorney, etc.), and by law a therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.
However, state law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
- Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
- If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.
What about 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. Going beyond treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of emotional distress and behavior patterns that limit you. Achieving sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being is done with an integrative approach to wellness. Working collaboratively as a treatment team, you, your therapist and your medical doctor can see if a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.
Do you take insurance, and how does that work?
Arrow Mental Health, INC. is an out-of-network provider for most insurance providers. As payment is completed at the end of each session, your insurance company is not billed directly. If you desire to submit for reimbursement from your insurance provider, you can request a “superbill” from your therapist. To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance provider, it is important for you to call them. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers. Some helpful questions you can your insurance provider:
- What are my mental health benefits?
- What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
- How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
- How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
- Is approval required from my primary care physician?
What is Virtual Therapy?
Virtual therapy has many names, including technology-based therapy, eTherapy, and online therapy. It is a way to provide therapy by utilizing technology to provide online, email, or phone-based therapy sessions. Arrow Mental Health, INC provides virtual therapy primarily through synchronous video sessions, which makes therapy more accessible and convenient when office visits are not possible due to time or distance constraints. Virtual therapy can be used for individual, couples, family therapy, consultations, and supervision.
When utilizing virtual therapy, part of the responsibility for confidentiality lies with you. You will need to ensure the technology you are using is secure and that you can interact privately from wherever you. Technical difficulties can occur due to a variety of reasons, but most can be rectified easily.
Disclaimer:
Please be aware that Arrow Mental Health, INC is not a crisis center and does not provide emergency services, and if you are in need of immediate help please call your local crisis center, dial 911, or present to the nearest emergency room. If you are having suicidal thoughts and live in the US you can also call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
How does virtual therapy work? Are we texting each other?
Therapy is not done with back and forth texting or typing. We provide live therapy sessions using an online platform that provides convenience and confidentiality. Unlike common video-chats, Arrow Mental Health, INC offers services online that are HIPPA compliant for sessions, notes, and payments. You will have a link sent to you via email so you can easily join your therapist when it is time for your appointment.
Is it effective to do virtual therapy?
There's a lot of research that demonstrates that participating in therapy online is as effective as in person treatment for a variety of concerns.
Is my internet fast enough for virtual therapy?
If you are able to stream movies and shows, then your internet is fast enough for virtual therapy. If you are on a Wi-Fi network, please be sure that your device or computer has full strength as a weak signal might impact video and audio quality.
Where should I be when I have a session?
An advantage of virtual therapy is that you are able to participate in your therapy session wherever you feel comfortable. As long as you have an internet connection, and a computer, smartphone, or tablet, you are ready to go. It is important to think about their own privacy and confidentiality when choosing when and where to hold sessions. As therapy often covers sensitive and painful areas, ensuring no one else is able to “drop in” on your session.
Are there regional requirements for me to use virtual therapy?
Most states in the US require therapy to be performed by a provider licensed in the state of the client. Arrow Mental Health, INC currently has providers in the states of California and Washington. International service is also an option. There are requests for therapy from outside of the United States, and as long as it is legal to provide services in your specific country, therapists at Arrow Mental Health, INC are happy to see clients who reside abroad.
Therapy as an Investment
Therapy is an investment in yourself, for your life, and those around you. The benefits of therapy are achieved through a process that can take time to develop. We ask all our clients to consider making a commitment to themselves and their wellbeing by choosing to be involved in the therapy process as long as is needed to derive the benefits they’re seeking. Another way of looking at this is if the therapy worked, and it took only that many sessions to work through the painful situation in your life, would it be worth what you paid for that to happen.