FAQs

People come to counseling for many different reasons expecting many different results. Some individuals come looking for coping strategies to deal with mental illness, others for life’s transition (move, divorce, retirement, job loss, etc.) and still others come looking for someone to offer space to process life challenges. Many seek the support of a therapist as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Other reasons individuals seek out counseling can include:

•    Relationship problems
•    Difficulty sleeping
•    Declining academic performance
•    A recent traumatic event or loss
•    Concerns about substance use
•    Suicidal thoughts
•    Difficulty functioning on a day-to-day basis

Children and teens need therapy when they have problems they can't cope with alone or when their problems are affecting how well they feel, think, and behave. Sometimes children also just need a safe space to process through feelings and navigate challenges.

Your therapist will ask that the child’s guardian(s) be present for the first session to help provide a history of the problem and develop goals for counseling. At this time, your therapist will share with you how you can best participate in your child’s therapy. Most of the time, the therapist likes to check with the guardian(s) on how things are going at the beginning of the session and spend at least a few minutes at the end to discuss the progress and need for follow-up.

This will be determined between you and your therapist.

Everything you say is confidential and our therapists have taken steps to protect your privacy during counseling sessions. You can ask our therapists questions before the session begins if you have concerns about the confidentiality of the process. There are some exceptions to the rule of confidentiality. By law, the therapist is required to report:

•     Threats of harm to oneself
•      Threats of harm to other
•     Suspected child or elder abuse – if the client is the victim or perpetrator

An intake appointment is the first meeting with you or your child and a counselor. The meeting's purpose is to gather the information needed to make a therapy recommendation and goals for therapy. This gathering of information includes, but is not limited to, the history of the problem, information about family history, information about school and community adjustment, a review of medication taken and/or considered, an exploration of needs and goals, and a review of past efforts to remedy the problem.

How much does each session cost?
Psychotherapy is typically conducted in 45-minute sessions. There may be times when a 60-minute session is needed depending upon clinical need. Discounted rates available for same day, cash payment.

Phone: (608) 790-9481

E-mail: info@expanding-hope.com