Therapy Overview

All your questions are important, so please don't hesitate to talk about your concerns.  We are glad to help with any aspect of the counseling process.

THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP:

The relationship between you and your therapist is very important and is different from other relationships in your life.  You are expected to talk freely and openly about yourself, much more so than you do in social relationships.  But we realize it takes time to trust and feel safe.  If you don't feel comfortable after three or four sessions, you may want to talk with your therapist for a referral. Don't worry, we understand and will be happy to give you a referral if you wish.

Your therapist’s responsibility is to listen, select, sort, make observations, and reflect back to you behaviors, thoughts, feelings, and values or beliefs that will enable you to understand and see yourself more clearly.  The goal of this process is the reorganization of your thinking, feelings, and behavior in a manner more satisfying to you.  

You and your therapist will work together to establish goals for therapy and this will be the focus of your initial session.  Many people feel some relief after the first few sessions and are grateful for the support and reassurance.  Therapy can be very rewarding with life-changing outcomes.

The therapeutic relationship is unique in that you will be focusing on aspects of yourself that may not ordinarily receive attention.  The therapeutic approach used by the therapist comes from a variety of psychological theories.  For those clients wishing to address spiritual concerns, a Christian perspective will be utilized.  As each client is different, each session varies depending on the needs of the client and the goals set by the client and therapist.

Each therapist at Spirit of Hope Counseling Center uses many different psychotherapy techniques.  Generally, all therapists use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and several use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).  When using EMDR, your therapist will outline how the therapy helps, if you are a good candidate for EMDR, and you will be given the option to participate.  Please ask your therapist any questions you may have.

APPOINTMENTS:

In most cases, you and your therapist will meet for weekly appointments.  Appointments are generally 50-60 minutes in length and by calling our office at 952-546-5565 we will help schedule your appointment.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

If you need to cancel an appointment for any reason, please do so at least 24 hours in advance.  You will be charged a full fee for appointments not canceled within 24 hours.

CONFIDENTIALITY:

Client information is kept strictly confidential and the release of information about you to anyone can only be done with your written consent.  State law, however, places certain limitations on the right of confidentiality and requires that any and all social services personnel report (see also Notice of Privacy Rights attached):                                     

• Threats of suicide or harming of self
• Threats of harming another person
• Any incidence or knowledge of suspected neglect, physical, or sexual abuse of children and/or vulnerable adults

FEES:

Payment of fees is expected at the time of each session.  You may use cash, check, credit card (VISA, Mastercard) or money order.