Is therapy right for me?

The best way to determine if therapy will be beneficial for you, and if we are the right people to help, is to schedule a session with us so that we can determine goals and fit.  The typical psychotherapy client is just looking for help to solve a problem, or for a new perspective, or just support!  Some have questions about parenting or about their past.  Most people who participate in psychotherapy improve!

What is the process?
During our intake, we will review paperwork and necessary forms.  We will obtain historical information and will ask about your goals for therapy.  We will determine together whether you feel comfortable enough to return.  The process of change occurs over time.  Your collaboration, participation and motivation will help determine progress.  Psychotherapy sessions belong to you.

Do I really need therapy?
Only you can answer this question!  Most people benefit from most forms of psychotherapy and we believe strongly in the power of therapy.

How can it help?
The goals of psychotherapy will depend upon what you bring to sessions and your individual goals for change.  Often, psychotherapy can help reduce problematic symptoms, improve relationships and coping skills, and encourage progress.

What is psychotherapy like?
Psychotherapy involves private conversations in a comfortable and casual atmosphere.  The pace of therapy will depend upon you.  We provide empathy, understanding and respect.  We appreciate the learning opportunities our clients provide.

Do you accept insurance?
As psychologists and business owners, we recognize the importance of openly discussing and agreeing upon financial arrangements prior to establishing a therapeutic relationship.

It is important for you to understand what filing for insurance reimbursement or using your insurance to cover mental health costs.  If you have health insurance it will usually provide some coverage for mental health treatment. However, there is a tremendous range in benefits available so it is important that you find out exactly what mental health services your insurance policy covers. Most policies have limits on frequency of visits, and limit what services are covered. We recommend that you contact your insurance carrier directly to determine your policy benefits.

Health insurance benefits can only be used for the treatment of illness and must be medically necessary. This means that a psychiatric diagnosis must be assigned to you or your child before benefits will be available. Some insurance carriers also require us to provide additional information. If you choose to use insurance to help cover the cost of psychotherapy, we will be unable to ensure your privacy related to services we provide once we relay information to your insurance company.

What is a psycho-educational assessment?
This service is focused primarily on identifying learning, attention, and processing issues that may be impacting a child or adolescent in the academic environment.  As part of this process, we also assess social-emotional functioning which may be impacting learning, processing, attention, self-esteem, relationships, or mood functioning.  A comprehensive evaluation, rather than looking at only one aspect of functioning, is a more effective method of exploring learning style and to identify strengths and weaknesses.  A comprehensive evaluation will also allow us to rule in or rule out diagnoses and to provide a thorough remediation plan to address the child’s needs.

This type of evaluation takes several hours to complete, score, and write up.  Parents will participate in an extensive developmental interview to gather information related to medical, developmental, academic and emotional functioning.  After all of the testing and scoring is complete, a feedback session is scheduled to provide information obtained during the evaluation and to review an in-depth remediation plan to address any concerns.  Each evaluation concludes with a written report that can be utilized to communicate with the school, therapist, and other professionals that will be providing services to the student.  We are also available for consultation with other professionals and provides additional follow-up services as needed.

What is Co-Parenting Counseling and Parent Coordination?
As parents go through a separation and/or divorce, many questions often arise. Although parents and other professionals may all have children’s best interests at heart, identifying and agreeing upon what is best often results in conflict, confusion, and more pain. This type of counseling may involve creating and helping to implement a parenting plan appropriate for specific children, collaboration with lawyers, teachers or other family members, assessing communication between parents and providing clear and concise recommendations for improvements. Relying on current literature and information about child development and family dynamics as well as the law, Co-Parenting and/or Parent Coordination often helps ease the transition from married to divorced for children and families.

Parenting is really difficult/confusing/frustrating/exhausting…How can therapy help?!
Parenting certainly has challenges. Being a kid does too! Psychotherapy can help families navigate the confusing and sometimes mixed signals from children, schools, friends, the internet, etc. Family therapy specifically is aimed at improving relationships, decreasing conflict and helping family members negotiate the best plan at that time.

What is a psychologist?
With all of the types of clinicians and therapists, and all of the different degrees, it may be difficult to determine credentials and education!  We are both clinical psychologists and are licensed in Georgia.  Clinical Psychologists have received training in evaluating, diagnosing and treating emotional and behavioral difficulties. Psychologists have a doctoral degree which takes about six years in graduate school after completion of an undergraduate degree. Additionally, psychologists are required to obtain pre- and post-graduate experience and supervision with an experienced clinician before working and practicing independently.

To be a psychologist in Georgia, you must be licensed by the state of Georgia.  We receive that license by passing standardized written tests and an individual oral exam by the State Board of Psychologists after completing graduate work. Additionally, to maintain a license to practice independently psychologists are required to complete ongoing continuing education in the field.