Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling

How do I know if I need counseling?
There is no one reason to seek counseling. People choose counseling for a variety of reasons, depending upon what is standing in their way. If you are struggling with any of the issues below, counseling can help:

If you can, please complete the new client forms (coming soon to website). Your therapist will also place them on a clipboard in the waiting area. If you don’t complete them, no worries—your therapist will go over them with you.

During your first and second visits, your therapist will ask you questions about your reason for seeking therapy. They will also take a comprehensive history. At an early visit you will spend a little time working with your therapist to determine your goals; this is called the treatment plan.

How does confidentiality work?
Our professional ethics as well as federal and state law mandate that we guard your confidentiality. This means that if we cannot release any information about you unless you sign a release of information (coming soon to website). When you sign a release of information we will limit the amount of information we provide, sharing only that which is necessary to effectively collaborate on your care.

We collect private and confidential data for the purpose of providing mental health care and billing your insurer for services. The minimum amount of information you must provide is your name, date of birth, address and telephone number. Refusal to provide this information may result in you being billed personally for the sessions. We will protect your private data with the following exceptions:
If you identify a child or vulnerable adult being abused;
If a court of law subpoenas us or your records.

How does therapy work?
There are many methods that therapists use to help their clients, but research shows that the safe, accepting relationship with the therapist accounts for more than 40 percent of the change clients experience through therapy. At Nathan & Associates, our first goal is to offer you a safe, accepting environment where you can face your difficulties with support, at your own pace.

There are many theories and techniques in therapy. Our therapy is primarily attachment-based: by providing non-judgmental listening and reflecting we offer you a secure attachment from which you can venture to explore new ways of being in the world.

We do, however, use certain methods to help you. Interviewing can help you determine both what you would like to change in your life and your level of readiness, positioning you to make positive changes in a variety of behaviors.

We will offer cognitive-behavioral techniques. These are ways that you can use new words and thoughts to replace old ones that are not helpful to you.

Mindfulness is a tool we use with many of our clients. This consciousness can be useful in calming anxiety, working with trauma, slowing aggression, and reducing pain.