Counseling Versus Coaching

Counseling at TAKE 2 consists of mental health services provided by an experienced Licensed Clinical Social Worker for children, adolescents, and adults. Therapy is sought out for various concerns including assisting clients address and explore feelings, beliefs and behaviors that may be impairing their ability to function well. We provide a safe place to address your challenges and enhance personal growth by setting goals and evaluating progress.

Coaching at TAKE 2 is provided by a Licensed Social Worker for children, athletes of all ages, families, and sports facilities to assist clients with achieving their future goals. We can show parents how to tackle difficult topics with their child. We can teach children how to appropriately manage the stresses of home and school life. If you are an athlete, parent, coach, or sports facility seeking to challenge yourself to achieve your personal best, our licensed therapist will work closely with you to do just that.  The work focuses on creating and maintaining motivation for change, exploring obstacles to change, and creating plans for change.

When you contact us, we will help you decide which service meets the criteria for your goals.

The initial appointment will average between 60-75 minutes.  A complete individual and family history will be obtained, including psychiatric and medical history, occupational, educational, and social information. Information gathered is used to help create a treatment plan based on the unique goals of the individual. Therapy is individualized to meet the needs of each person. Treatment will focus on strengths to help promote self-determination, independence, and resiliency among adolescents and young adults. All of these pieces, past and present, are important; as they contribute to the person you are today.

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 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:

• Compassion, respect and understanding
• Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
• Real strategies for enacting positive change
• Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance

We are an out-of-network provider. Please check with your insurance carrier prior to treatment if you plan to submit forms for reimbursement. A Superbill will be provided to the client when requested. Payment is made at the time of service by cash, check, or credit card.

Many insurance plans provide out-of-network benefits to their members. We can assist you with obtaining benefit information and will also provide you with all documents necessary to file for reimbursement. If you choose to contact your insurance company on your own for benefit information, the following questions can be helpful to ask. Please do not hesitate to contact us for additional information.

• Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?
• What is my out-of-network deductible and has it been met?
• What is the coverage amount per session with out-of-network provider?
• How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
• How do I obtain reimbursement for therapy sessions with an out-of-network provider?
• Is pre-authorization from my physician required?

Although obtaining therapy on an out-of-network basis may seem more expensive, there are many benefits in doing so. Insurance companies require regular treatment plans to be submitted by their network providers in order to continue to authorize sessions. There can be a lack of clarity and/or after-the-fact decisions about what they will cover, resulting in surprise balances billed to patients. Finally, insurance companies can and do audit in-network therapists’ records, further compromising confidentiality.

Obtaining therapy on an out-of-network basis avoids all of these issues that compromise confidentiality and autonomy of treatment. All treatment decisions are made solely between patient and therapist, including the type of therapy used, its length, and who should or should not be consulted.

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.

A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. 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
• Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
• Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
• Improving communications and listening skills
• Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
• Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

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:

• Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.
• 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.

An individual or couple’s therapy session is 45 minutes and a family session is 60 minutes. The total session fee will be charged for ‘no shows’ or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the appointment.

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 a 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.