FAQS

You Asked, We Answered

Every therapy session is unique and caters to an individual and their specific goals. It is standard for therapists to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around fifty minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect out of therapy:

Real strategies for enacting positive change
Self-compassion, respect and understanding
Perspectives to illuminate negative patterns & feelings
Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance

Is therapy right for me?

Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people choose to have therapy. Sometimes they want to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it’s in response to unexpected life changes, such as a divorce or work transitions. Many seek the advice and counsel as they pursue personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, substance use, conflict, grief, stress management and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting more out of life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change.

What is therapy like?

How will therapy help me?

Several benefits can emerge from participating in psychotherapy. Our therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be tremendously helpful in managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on difficult problems or point you in the direction of a solution. The help you obtain from therapy depends on how well you use the process and practice what you learn. Some of the benefits can include:

Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
Developing skills for improving your relationships
Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
Better management of powerful emotions such as anger, grief and depression
Improving communications and listening skills
Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

Is therapy confidential?

We collect personal information from clients, which is often highly sensitive and private in nature. We respect confidentiality of this information. If you receive treatment at this organization, we do reveal personal information to staff on a need to know basis. Generally, we do not reveal personal information except as necessary to comply with law and to furnish service or benefits. Ordinarily, we only furnish information to persons outside the organization at your written request or direction, except in the following circumstances:

An agreement with a qualified service organization/business associate agreement.
For research, audits, or evaluation.
For a crime on Evolution Counseling premise or against Evolution Counseling staff.
to medical personnel in a medical emergency.
Danger to yourself or others.
Reported child abuse or neglect.
Abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults.
Court ordered information.

In the situations mentioned above, we would be required to advise appropriate authorities of the required information. You may request access to the records we maintain and to know where your records have been sent.

As might be expected, many clients may not desire to have their presence at Evolution Counseling known to others. It is necessary, therefore, that individuals respect the client’s choice by meticulously refraining from any comment concerning another individual’s presence at Evolution Counseling.

Additional Confidentiality Notice to Substance Disorder Clients

Federal law and regulations protect the confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse client records. These regulations apply regardless of which services you are obtaining. Generally, staff may not say to any outside interest that a client attends the program or disclose any information identifying a client as an alcohol or drug abuse client unless:

The client consents in writing.
The disclosure is allowed by a court order.
The disclosure is made to medical personnel in a medical emergency.
The disclosure is made to a qualified personnel for credit or program evaluation.

Violations of the Federal law and regulations by an organization is a crime. Suspected violations may be reported to appropriate authorities in accordance with Federal regulations. Federal law restricts the use of any information to criminally investigate or prosecute any alcohol or drug abuse client. Federal law does not protect any information about a crime committed by a client either at the treatment site or against any Evolution Counseling employee, or about any threat to commit a crime. Federal law and regulations do not protect any information about suspected child abuse or neglect from being reported under state law to appropriate State and local authorities. (See 42 U.S.C 290dd-3 and 42 U.S.C 290ee-3 for Federal law and 42 CFR part 2 for Federal regulations).