Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find the answers to many frequently asked questions. If you don't find exactly what you're looking for, do not hesitate to call or email with any questions.
What should I expect from counseling?
Many people who have never been to counseling are nervous about a first session and aren't really sure what it will be like or what they should expect. A first session is an opportunity for a therapist to answer any questions that a person has about therapy in general or as it pertains to their particular concerns. From there, a counselor will want to understand the details surrounding what is bringing a person to counseling. This often involves a person telling their story and sharing the events and details leading up to counseling. Often, the therapist will ask many questions to fill in blanks or clarify things that are important to what has happened. Before a first session is complete, the counselor will also want to work with an individual to jointly determine what the goals of therapy will be. A therapist and a client won't be able to measure success if they aren't sure where they are heading; it will be vital to make sure they work together to figure out what they are working towards. The next couple of sessions can often be a mix of ongoing assessment and discussing some initial solutions and strategies to address the concerns that a person has. From that point forward, counseling is following up on the barriers and successes a client has had relating to the goals and developing additional strategies to move forward on those goals.
How will counseling help me?
Counseling offers different things for different people. One important aspect of counseling is that it offers clients a venue to express their thoughts, concerns, and feelings where they will not be judged. But counseling is not merely an opportunity for individuals to vent. Therapy also examines a person's problems and identifies areas where people can alter the situation they are in, their perception of a situation, or thinking patterns they have that are hurting them. Therapy can assist in generating ideas or solutions to situations that may be hard to find. It presents an un-biased perspective on what might be a complex or tenuous situation. Therapy assists people in changing aspects of themselves that they are unhappy with or want to change. Counseling can offer a different way of looking at a hopeless situation so it no longer feels hopeless. It can help people find the energy to take the first step so that the rest of the journey doesn't seem as overwhelming. People seek counseling for many reasons. Because of this, it is difficult to catalog every way it can help a particular person. It is a highly flexible and adaptable process that assists people in finding the answers and solutions they need to lead a healthy, sustainable, and satisfying life.
How frequently will we meet?
Typically, clients start by meeting on a weekly basis. This offers the opportunity for individuals to have a reasonable period to work on the issues discussed in session while still allowing a positive momentum to build up. As clients begin to meet their goals, it is common for counseling to taper to a less frequent basis until clients decide to come in "as needed" or end therapy altogether. Frequency is something that can always be discussed and is something that can often change throughout the course of therapy and can range from more than once per week to once every couple months.
How long do sessions last?
Sessions last for what is known as a "clinical hour" which is between 45-50 minutes long.
How private is counseling?
In short, counseling is extremely private. There are some exceptions that are important to keep in mind. For adults, everything in counseling is confidential unless the client is expressing a serious desire to harm one's self or others. Confidentiality must be broken in a case where the provider suspects child or elder abuse may be occurring. Finally, if an individual is using insurance or EAP benefits, the provider may be obligated to give some clinical information to the insurance company to justify treatment. These exceptions do not come into play very frequently. Generally speaking, the only time that your counselor will share any of your personal information with anyone else is if or when you request it to be shared.
What is the cost of counseling?
More detailed information can be found on the cost and insurance page.
What hours are you available to meet?
The counselors at Radzom Counseling have varying schedules. There are sessions available seven days per week and from early in the morning to the later evening. To get more detailed information about a particular therapist's availability, use the Online Appointment Scheduler to view the schedule and specific appointment times.
What is an LCSW or LCPC and how should I decide what counselor to choose?
An LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. An LCPC is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. Both of these professionals possess a masters degree, specialize in counseling, and are licensed by a state to practice counseling. You can view these articles to find more information about Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors. There are providers with many different types of degrees that you can see for counseling and the options can be quite inundating. You may wish to take a look at our tips for selecting a counselor so that you can better sort through the choices. This can be an important decision and you certainly want to make sure you find someone that will be a good fit for you.
How long will I be in counseling?
There is no clear-cut answer to this question. Of course, you are in ultimate control of how long you participate in counseling. Usually this is a joint decision between you and your therapist. Sometimes it makes sense to stay in counseling until you have met all of your goals. Other times, it is more prudent to only stay in counseling until you develop the skills needed to accomplish those goals and are simply on the correct track. Since some people come with a collection of concerns or issues that are more complex or severe, counseling can sometimes take several months or years. Some individuals seek counseling to discuss one particular issue or event and that may take only a couple of sessions. More typically, clients approach counseling with a mix of concerns that fall somewhere between those two ends and are in counseling for multiple months. Again, this is simply a general idea since each person's situation is unique and one person's needs vary dramatically from another's.
Can I have a standing appointment?
Yes, you may set up a standing appointment if that is your preference. You may also schedule from session to session if you prefer. You can discuss options and your preferences with your counselor.
Click for information about scheduling an appointment. For any other inquiries, contact the practice.