Practice Policies

Psychological Services
Psychotherapy is not easily described in general statements. It varies depending on the personality of the client and the therapist and the particular problems which the patient brings. Therapy can involve the assessment and treatment of people with emotional, mental, behavioral, and adjustment problems (including those changing careers). It is based on psychological theory and research. Therapists use a variety of treatment methods to help prevent emotional problems and to help people resolve and cope with personal and interpersonal conflicts. Psychotherapy may be as brief as a few visits or as long as several years. Decisions regarding the duration of treatment are influenced by the needs of clients and the clinical judgment of the therapist and are reached by mutual agreement. There are a number of different approaches which can be used to address the problems you are experiencing. Our approach is aimed at clarifying your concerns, establishing a collaborative therapeutic relationship, developing a plan for reaching therapeutic goals that we formulate together, and evaluating progress. Psychotherapy is not like visiting a medical doctor, in that it requires active effort on your part. In order to be most successful, you will have to work both during our sessions and outside of our sessions.

Risks and Benefits
Psychotherapy has benefits and risks. Risks may include experiencing uncomfortable levels of feelings like sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, frustration, loneliness and helplessness. Psychotherapy often requires recalling unpleasant aspects of your history. Psychotherapy has also been shown to have benefits. Some benefits may include a reduction of feelings of distress, better relationships, and resolutions of specific problems. There are no guarantees about what will happen.

Phone and Online Psychotherapy and Email Consultations
Phone and online psychotherapy are not for everyone and we will work together to discuss its effectiveness for you. Our first few sessions will involve an evaluation of your needs. By the end of the evaluation, we will be able to offer you some initial impressions of what our work will include and an initial treatment plan. Therapy involves a commitment of time, money, and energy, so you should be very careful about the therapist you select. You should evaluate this information along with your own assessment about whether you feel comfortable working with us. If you have questions about our procedures, we should discuss them whenever they arise. If your doubts persist, we will be happy to help you to secure an appropriate consultation with another mental health professional.

Risks and Benefits of Phone and Online Counseling and text/Email Consultation
There are some benefits and risks that are specific to phone and online counseling and email consultations. One risk involves confidentiality. Confidentiality may be broken despite the best efforts of the therapist and the client. Text message reminders for sessions and processed payments may allow others to recognize that you have a relationship with Arborview Counseling, PC. There are many benefits to receiving counseling by phone or online. These include: convenience, flexible scheduling, less anxiety about receiving help, you will be more comfortable(considering you may be in your own home), and more cost effective(no need to pay for parking or spend time in your car).