Frequently Asked Questions

Q - How do I know if therapy is needed?

A - Life is full of transitions. There will be times when help is needed to cope with death of a loved one, sudden loss of a job, depression, anger issues, or relationship changes. Navigating life stages can leave one feeling drained and struck. Seeking clinical help can be beneficial. 

Q - Are there any signs that indicate counseling may be necessary?

A - Each person handles challenges differently. If you notice that you are not yourself, are using drugs, alcohol, sex, or other maladaptive behaviors to cope, OR find it difficult to manage your grief/loss of a loved one, cannot manage to do the things you like to do, have experienced a trauma? Then it may be necessary for you to seek the help of a trained professional to help you manage your emotions and overcome your time of difficulty.

Q - What benefits can I expect from counseling?

A - There are many benefits of the therapeutic process. With the successful completion of counseling you will experience a positive change in yourself, your relationships, and improvement with the presenting issue that initially brought you to counseling.

Q - How do I know if I have selected the right counselor?

A - Choosing the right therapist is essential to becoming emotionally healthy. Therefore, you want to be sure you and your therapist are a good fit. Counseling is a very vulnerable process that requires safety and trust to be the foundation but is built upon establishing a positive therapeutic alliance between the therapist and client. If this cannot be done, it may be best to seek a different therapist for your clinical needs.

Q - Do I have to be artistic to get therapy from CathARTic Breakthroughs?  

A - No, you do not need to have traditional artistic talent to benefit. In fact,  people who do not think of themselves as artistic at all are pleasantly  surprised at the outcome and insight into themselves. Although a combination of therapy and art is beneficial, your comfort is more important. As a result, art is completely optional so it is your choice to engage in therapy or therapy & art.

Q - Can I be assured of confidentiality?

A - YES! CathARTic Breakthroughs abides by a written confidentiality agreement. Personal information shared with your therapist is protected information under the HIPAA law and regulations. However, we are mandated by law to breach confidentiality under certain circumstances which include: 1) court orders via a subpoena 2) client has become a harm to self or others. A copy of our confidentiality and privacy rights policies will be provided to you at intake.

Q - What can I expect from a counseling session?

A - While each counseling session will be different, there are several components that will remain consistent.  During each session you will be in a judgment free zone. You and your therapist will be able to speak freely.  During early sessions, you will fill out paperwork and get to know your therapist and co-create goals for therapy. Using the therapeutic process your therapist will help you reach your desired goals.

Q - What can I expect from my therapist?

A - Your therapist will act as a partner who will assist you with meeting your desired goals. You can expect support, guidance and clinical expertise.

Q - What should I bring to my first session?

A - Please be certain to bring identification, your insurance card and the intake forms downloaded from the website.

Q - Isn’t it better for me to solve my own problems?

A - A therapist doesn’t solve your problems for you. Rather, he or she helps you clarify issues so you can solve problems on your own with a therapist’s guidance, support, and expertise. The goal of therapy is to make you more self-sufficient, not more dependent.

Q - Why do people consider using therapy?

A - Therapy is a partnership between an individual and a professional who is trained to help people understand their feelings and assist them with changing their behavior. People often consider therapy under the following circumstances:

• They feel an overwhelming and prolonged sense of sadness and helplessness in their futures.

• Their emotional difficulties make it hard for them to function day to day. 

• Their actions are harmful to themselves or others.

• They are troubled by emotional difficulties facing family members or close friends.

• They just need someone with whom to talk.

Q - What does research show about the effectiveness of therapy?

A - According to a research summary from the Stanford University School of Medicine, therapy effectively decreased peoples’ depression and anxiety related symptoms–such as pain, fatigue, and nausea. Therapy has also been found to increase survival time after heart surgery, for people with cancer, and it can have positive effects on the body’s immune system. Research increasingly supports the idea that emotional and physical health are closely linked and that therapy can improve a person’s overall health status.

There is convincing evidence that most people who have at least several sessions of therapy are better off than untreated individuals, who are having emotional difficulties.

Q - If I begin therapy, how should I try to gain the most from it?

A - There are many approaches to therapy and various formats in which it may occur–including individual, group, and couples. Despite the variations, all therapy is a two-way process that works especially well when you and your therapist communicate openly. Research shows that the outcome of therapy is improved when the therapist and the client agree early about what the major problems are and how therapy can help.

You and your therapist both have responsibilities in establishing and maintaining a good working relationship. Be clear with your therapist about your concerns that may arise. Therapy works best when you attend all scheduled sessions and give some forethought as to what you want to discuss during each session.

Therapy isn’t easy. But individuals willing to work in close partnership with their counselor often find relief from their emotional distress and begin to lead more productive and fulfilling lives.

Q - How can I evaluate whether therapy is working?

A - As you begin therapy, you should establish clear goals with your therapist. Perhaps you want to overcome feelings of hopelessness associated with feelings of depression. Or maybe you would like to control fear that disrupts your daily life. Keep in mind that certain tasks require more time to accomplish than others. You may need to adjust your goals depending on how long you plan to be in therapy.

After a few sessions, it is a good sign if you feel the experience is a joint effort and that you and your therapist enjoy a comfortable relationship. On the other hand, you should be open with your therapist if you find yourself feeling “stuck” or lacking direction once you have been in therapy awhile.

You may feel a wide range of emotions during therapy. Some qualms about therapy that you may have might result from the difficulty of discussing painful and troubling experiences. When this happens, it can actually be a positive sign that you are starting to explore your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

You should spend time with your therapist periodically reviewing your progress. Although there are other considerations affecting the duration of therapy, success in reaching your primary goals should be a major factor in deciding when you should end therapy.

Q - What is e-therapy?

A - E-therapy is web-based counseling which provides the client with the same proven methods of treatment received in an office setting. Counselors must stay abreast of the fast-paced and technology advanced society with which our clients live. Clients have various reasons which prevent them from seeking a traditional form of counseling. Whether a client lives outside the area, is home-bound, limited in mobility or simply in need of the convenience of web-based counseling, this method of psychotherapy joins together all the traditional and proven methods of counseling but with the inclusion of technology in secured and confidential format. There is no need to download software. Clients log into a secure and confidential portal site.   ay something interesting about your business here.