FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How does counseling work?
Counseling is a collaborative effort between you and your counselor. Generally, counseling involves several common elements. The first of these is developing hope that there is a solution or solutions for the problem you are facing. The second is working to develop insight into the issue for which you are seeking help. Counseling works to give you understanding about your problem, why you may have been unable to solve it on your own, and the numerous options available to you moving forward. The third element is skill development. Healthy counseling does not assume you have some moral, spiritual, or character deficit, but rather that you simply do not know how to cope with the matter at hand. Finally, counseling provides you with a safe place where you can be reminded of the fact that there is hope, explore the new insight you have developed, and practice and fine tune your new skills. Obviously, counseling can be a complex process, but the elements listed above provide a helpful overview of that process.
What is needed from me for counseling to be helpful?
You will first need to be willing to be honest with your counselor and be willing to try new approaches. After all, more of the same things you have already tried will likely yield you the same unsatisfactory result. You will also need to be willing to work hard. Lasting change can be a challenging process. You will need to be able to recover when you make mistakes and try again until you begin reaching your goals. Patience is another virtue that will be helpful to you during your counseling experience.
How long will counseling take?
Everyone has different strengths, challenges, and skill-sets. Therefore, timing will differ from person to person. The important thing to remember is that change is a process. So then, as long as you are able to make small incremental steps toward your goals, then counseling is being productive. It is also helpful to remember that sometimes you may experience more distress in the early stages of counseling. Trying new approaches (even when the old ones were unhelpful or unhealthy) can cause anxiety simply because they represent uncharted waters.
What can I expect from my counselor?
Your counselor will treat you with dignity and respect and will hold your private information with strict confidence. Only under certain conditions as listed in state and federal law may your counselor share your information. In order for your counselor to share information about you to someone else, you must sign an authorization for release of information. Additionally, you can expect your counselor to do a thorough interview to assess your individual needs. S/he will then work with you to develop specific goals and a plan for reaching them.
Why UCT instead of someone else?
Your counselor at UCT has had extensive training and years of experience as a licensed therapist. At UCT, counseling is much more than a “job” for your therapist. S/he cares about you as an individual and is deeply invested in helping you achieve your goals. If UCT or you feels it cannot help you fully achieve your goals, your therapist will make an appropriate referral.
FEES
- Initial Evaluation - $90
- Individual Therapy - $75
- Skills Group - $30
- Family Therapy - $75
- Marital Therapy - $75
- Missed sessions - Full fee
Please check with UCT to get a list of current insurance companies for which UCT is in-network or if you have any other questions related to fees.
864.414.6839
