Individual, Family, and Couples Counselor
FAQ
How do I know if I need counseling/therapy?
Clients come to see a counselor for many reasons. Are you feeling stuck in relationships or career? Are you struggling with a chronic physical or mental health diagnosis? Do you have serious emotional wounds or trauma? Is someone close to you struggling with an addiction, chronic mental health or medical condition, behavior problem, etc? Is this negatively effecting you? Do you want to build on your strengths and improve your wellness? Are you in need of marriage counseling for communication, trust, conflict resolution, or disconnect? Have you recently experienced a significant change like the death of a loved one, move, becoming a new parent, etc? Counseling/therapy is a safe place to explore these issues and many more. Maybe you need healing, support, or new tools. Rebecca is a compassionate and helpful guide with advanced training and skills who will collaborate with you and support you as you work on your goals. At the first appointment, you and Rebecca will discuss what mental health issues you want to work on. If you would benefit from a different type of help (either in addition to therapy or in place of therapy,) Rebecca can identify this and will discuss with you so you can make a decision.
What ages do you work with?
Rebecca works with ages 15+ and has experience with clients across the lifespan from 15-75. Whether the issue is navigating a high school break up or grieving the death of a lifelong partner, Rebecca enjoys working with diverse ages!
What is the next step if I want to schedule a session?
You simply call Rebecca at 480-447-1595 or submit a contact form indicating interest in counseling. Let Rebecca know if you are interested in individual sessions, family sessions, or couples sessions. Rebecca will call you (usually within 48 business hours) to complete a phone screening. The screening is 15 minutes and free of charge and allows Rebecca to ask questions about your situation and goals to ensure she is likely to be a good fit (with the correct experience and training.) She will also answer any questions you have. After the screening call, if you and Rebecca believe she can help, you will be offered appointment options for an intake session and discuss the paperwork needed.
What can I expect at my first appointment?
Before the first appointment, Rebecca will tell you how to complete the new client paperwork online (which can take between 30-60 minutes depending on how much information you have to share.). Rebecca will read through all the information you provide before the first session. During the first appointment, Rebecca will ask more questions to understand your goals for counseling and your situation. You and Rebecca will discuss important aspects of your relationships, past and present, childhood, emotional well being, symptoms, health, support system, coping, and strengths/weaknesses as part of assessment and treatment planning. You and Rebecca will also discuss the approaches she thinks will be most helpful in reaching your goals. In complex situations, assessment and treatment planning may take more than one session. The other important task of the intake session is for you, as the client, to get a chance to decide if Rebecca's practice, personality, recommended treatment approaches, and counseling style is a good fit for you! Although some clients need a few sessions to decide, many clients know at once whether they would like to continue working with Rebecca.
What is EMDR?
EMDR is a therapeutic approach that targets the emotional pain caused by painful past experiences. Using bilateral stimulation (back and forth eye movements, tapping, or 'buzzies,') Rebecca guides the client through the memories, beliefs, and body sensation tied to these experiences. This activates the brain's natural healing abilities which brings about reduced emotional pain and better mental health. You can read more here on the EMDRIA website.
Is EMDR like hypnosis?
No. In EMDR, the client is fully awake, alert, and in control the entire time.
What is Sandtray Therapy?
Sandtray Therapy is an expressive therapeutic approach that allows for whole brain (both right/images and left/words side) processing of past or present pain, subconscious blocks to healing, inner conflicts, and more. With whole brain processing, client's mental heath can get better faster! You can learn more here in a video from well known Sandtray therapist Amy Flaherty.
Is Sandtray Therapy only for kids?
Great news! Sandtray therapy can be helpful to clients of all ages.
Can I use my insurance benefits?
Rebecca does not accept insurance so all services are out of pocket. Rebecca is happy to provide a superbill so clients can submit for reimbursement to their insurance but she does not deal with insurance companies on clients' behalf. You can check with your insurance carrier to see if this is an option available to you.
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, healthcare providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises
Do you offer a sliding scale fee?
Rebecca does not offer a sliding fee scale however a limited number of pay-what-you can agreements are available for those experiencing significant financial hardship. These are offered first come, first serve basis and new clients are welcome to inquire about prior to scheduling the first session.
How long will I need to attend therapy?
Not every client's background, needs, or goals are the same. This means there is no "one size fits all" answer to the length of time therapy lasts. If you have a limit to the number of sessions you can attend, bring this up in the first session so your goal setting is reasonable for the time frame you have. Rebecca most often finds weekly or biweekly sessions are best for the active change phase of therapy and monthly session during the maintenance phase of therapy. Many clients start to feel better within 6-12 sessions however, in complex situations or when clients are seeking support for chronic stressors, it may take longer for clients to feel better. No guarantees can be made about the outcomes of counseling but Rebecca is committed to working alongside clients using every tool at her disposal to empower clients and help them heal!