Do I really need Therapy? “I can usually handle my problems”
Why do people go to Therapy and how do I know if it is right for me?
What is Therapy like?
Do you take insurance?
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy. Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts and creative blocks. Therapy can help provide some much needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods. Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life. In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives.
Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your therapist (usually weekly). It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process - such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals. People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives.
Legacy Counseling and Consulting takes your privacy very seriously. At this time, we do not take insurance for numerous reasons including keeping your personal information private. Insurance companies have begun asking more and more questions regarding specifics of therapy that can be intrusive. Additionally, insurance carriers generally require a diagnosis in order to approve treatment. Whether or not a diagnosis is appropriate, many patients would prefer not have a diagnosis attached to their medical records.
How much does it cost?
Per session rates - Assessment
Depends on assessment type, length, and requirements for reporting.
Per session rates - Group Therapy
50 minute session - $35
Per session rates - Individual Therapy
50 minute session - $100
If the cost of counseling seems to be out of reach, consider the following:
Use pre-tax dollars. Did you know that you can use your Health Savings/Flexible Spending Account to pay for therapy using pre-tax dollars?
Check if you or your spouse’s employer has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAP is an employee benefit that allows anywhere from 1-8 sessions (including couples counseling) and the employer foots the bill for the sessions.
Speak with your tax preparer to see if you can deduct therapy expenses from your taxes as an out-of-pocket health expense.
Understand that therapy is an investment in yourself and your relationships. Compare the financial cost of short-term therapy to the possible long-term costs of NOT seeking help.