If you are new to therapy, you may have uncertainty about what to expect. During the first few sessions your therapist will discuss policies, procedures, and structure of therapy, answer any questions that you may have, and spend time building a relationship and getting to know you, your worldview, strengths, concerns, and needs. During this relationship building process, your therapist will be gathering a lot of information with the goal of getting to know you and assessing the fit between you and your therapist. A key to therapeutic success is the client and therapist relationship. It is important that you feel comfortable and connected with  your therapist. If it is determined during this phase by you or your therapist, that the therapist is not the best fit for your therapeutic needs, they will provide referrals for more appropriate treatment.

Following the intake and assessment phase, you and your therapist will collaboratively identify your therapeutic goals and create a plan for treatment that incorporates effective strategies to help with what you are hoping to accomplish in therapy. The AuDH Social Worker believes that you, as the client, set the goals and intentions for therapy. You are the expert of yourself and know what goals may benefit you best. However, your therapist will help challenge, guide, and support you and may at times suggest additional goals that may be beneficial to you. Throughout the therapeutic relationship, your therapist may utilize different methodologies or techniques to best address the presenting concerns and meet therapeutic goals.

Participating in therapy may include benefits such as the resolution of presenting concerns and improved intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships. Therapy may reduce distress, balance stress management, and can lead to a greater understanding of self as well as personal and relational goals and values.

Therapy has potential emotional risks and can bring on strong feelings of anger, depression, anxiety, etc. Making changes in your beliefs or behaviors can be scary. Please be aware that changes made in therapy may affect other people in your life, for example an increase in your self-advocacy or assertiveness may not always be welcomed by others. 

Due to the nature of psychotherapy, there is not an ability to guarantee specific results regarding your therapeutic goals. Your therapist cannot promise that your circumstances will change, but your therapist does promise to support you in your goals. You and your therapist will work collaboratively toward a desired outcome; however, it is possible that the goals of therapy may not be reached. You are encouraged to discuss any concerns that you have about your work with your therapist directly so it can be addressed in a timely manner.

Yes! Therapy can be a great time to have a safe place where you can discuss wins, struggles, and everything in between.

Coaching is not therapy, does not include a diagnosis, and focuses on providing psychoeducation, problem solving, and peer support around specific goals while therapy has a broader scope to address current/history of trauma, identification and management of emotions, and co-occurring concerns.

Currently The AuDH Social Worker does not offer in person options.

The AuDH Social Worker utilizes telehealth services for client’s safety and convenience. Teletherapy is the practice of delivering clinical health care services via technology assisted media or other electronic means between a therapist and client in separate locations.

Teletherapy can be done with your camera on or off depending on your comfortability and preference.

That is completely up to you! Your therapist will ask questions to get to know you but ultimately you have the ability to determine what you discuss and goals you work toward.

In most cases, yes. In general, law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and a mental health therapist and information can only be released to others with your written permission with limitations according to the exceptions noted below. This means your therapist cannot and will not tell anyone what you have told them, or even share that you are in therapy, without your prior written permission. It is your decision what you share about being in therapy.

The following are legal exceptions to confidentiality. When possible, your therapist will discuss this with you prior to acting.

·       Abuse or Neglect

o   If your therapist believes that a client or other named individual is the perpetrator, observer of, or actual victim of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse of a child, elderly person, disabled person, or vulnerable adult, your therapist may be required to file a report with the appropriate state agency, the Department of Child and Family Services or the Department of Adult Protective Services. Your therapist may be required to share information regarding you and your treatment, without your consent, in order to protect others from harm.

·       Self or Other Risk

o   If a client threatens serious bodily harm or death to self or another individual, your therapist may be required to take protective actions, even without the client’s consent. These actions may include contacting your emergency contact, contacting the mobile crisis, contacting the police, or seeking hospitalization for the client. If the threat is made toward another individual, your therapist is required to contact the police and ask them to protect your intended victim. Your therapist will make every effort to maintain safety prior to involving these additional parties.

·       Consultation

o   It may be helpful for your therapist to consult with other professionals to support your treatment. During consultation, every effort is made to avoid revealing identifying information about the client. The consultant is also legally bound to keep information confidential.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, The AuDH Social Worker is not authorized to prescribe medications.

Not a problem. The AuDH Social Worker does not have a late cancellation policy and instead asks for communication from clients when unable to make it to session.

This depends. The AuDH Social Worker has a list of in-network insurance companies listed on the website and will verify benefits and discuss cost with you.

Absolutely, at any time. The AuDH Social Worker is happy to provide referrals. Ultimately, the relationship with the therapist is a key piece of therapy being effective.

The AuDH Social Worker practices from a bottom-up approach and utilizes pieces of CBT, at time, when appropriate, and with consent, but typically CBT is not a modality utilized.

Session length averages between 45-55 minutes based on what will best meet your needs.

Session frequency is typically weekly or biweekly and will be determined together with you and your therapist based on presenting symptoms and goals.