Healing for the
Body ~ Spirit ~ Mind
__________________

Dr. Amelia Hardwick
____    Holistic Psychology   ____

"Healing to live from wholeness in your life and relationships"
~
"Revealing your true essence"
    Choosing The Right Therapist

    Making the decision to enter therapy or to do Journey Work marks a milestone in
    ones personal evolution and a significant investment in one’s quality of life.  Who
    you choose to partner with on this inner journey is a highly significant and personal
    decision that should not be taken lightly.  You will want to choose a therapist in
    which you are both comfortable and confident.  In the following Dr. Amelia
    provides her thoughts on this subject and a variety of questions that may assist you
    in finding the right therapist.

    One of the most disturbing things I  come across in my work are people who
    continue to see a therapist for years that they do not feel comfortable with or have
    not gotten significant results from. Others may not have shopped around for a
    therapist they felt comfortable with and then give up on therapy after only a few
    sessions, thinking therapy doesn't’t work for them, when what wasn’t working was
    the fit between them and the therapist or they encountered a therapist that just
    wasn’t that good.  People often feel intimated by doctors, people with higher
    education degrees, thinking “they know best, they have the degree, they are the
    doctor.” When their intuition is telling them something just doesn't’t feel right for
    me or my child.  If you do not feel comfortable with a therapist, do not feel like
    you are getting results, please find someone you do feel comfortable with.  You
    wouldn't’t continue dating someone you didn’t like or feel comfortable with would
    you? Continue to see the same mechanic when your car never ran better, got
    worse and always broke down?  How about the investment banker who continued
    to lose your money? You, your loved ones are your most valuable asset and
    blessings, treat them as such by spending the time to find quality help that you feel
    comfortable and confident with.

“The Lotus is a Flower That
Grows in the Mud.  The Thicker
and Deeper the Mud The More
Beautiful The Lotus Grows."  

         Zen Saying

    Some Important Questions

    Why do people seek therapy?
    What are the different types of therapists?
    How do I begin a search for a good therapist?
    How do I begin a search for a good therapist?
    What questions should I ask a potential therapist?
    How should I evaluate the therapist?
    How do I find out if my insurance will help pay for therapy?


    Why do people seek therapy?

    Many people resist reaching out for help or feel powerless to change themselves or the circumstances in their lives.  Some
    have the misconception that if they seek psychological help they must be “crazy” or that other’s, like friends or family may
    perceive them as so.  In my experience this is the furthest thing from the truth.  I believe that the individual who seeks
    help, is open to transformation, or looks at themselves, their relationships, or circumstances and says something is not
    working here,  this could be better, or s is the one individual in the family willing to acknowledge the proverbial elephant in
    the room that no one else is willing to confront is the healthiest.  They are willing to say I want to change, I am willing to
    try a different path, I want to feel better and live better.  Benjamin Franklin said, “The definition of insanity is doing the
    same thing over and over expecting a different result.

    Many people choose to get help because of a crisis in their lives, such as a recent loss, infidelity, divorce, stress overload,
    or problems with their children.  Others enter therapy for relief from on-going problems such as depression, weight
    problems or eating disorders, anxiety, family or marital conflict, or substance abuse.  Others look to therapy to help them
    explore their full potential.  

    Therapy is not only about solving immediate problems…it’s about improving one’s quality of life.  Today, many people
    enter therapy for personal growth, to increase self-confidence and self-esteem, to enrich their personal relationships, and to
    be more powerful in their career path.  

    What are the different types of therapists?

    Before choosing a therapist, you should familiarize yourself with the options available to you.  Therapy can be provided by
    a variety of specialists including Clinical Psychologists (Ph.D., Psy.D.)(they can practice with all diagnoses and administer
    testing, Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) , Clinical Social Workers (MSW or LCSW), (MFT & LCSW's are not
    licensed to work with more impaired populations)Psychiatrists (M.D. or D.O.), (Psychiatrists are Medical doctors and can
    prescribe medication)and Pastoral Counselors (M.Div. or D.Div.).  While education, training, and orientation vary, it’s
    important to find a skilled therapist with whom you feel both comfortable and confident.  Ask if they are licensed and
    under what license do they practice.  Often someone with a doctorate will only be licensed as an MFT  and use the title
    doctor, but are not licensed psychologists.  Currently there are many people practicing therapy without a license, if you
    want a licensed individual ASK.  Someone using the term "life coaching" or simply because they have a Ph.D. or M.A.
    after their name does not mean that they have done the thousands of hours of supervised clinical training required by the
    state and had to pass examinations before practicing.


    How do I begin a search for a good therapist?

    Remember, You are the consumer!  A therapist is there to serve you, so it’s important to shop around and begin to
    develop expectations for therapy.  Think about what you want from therapy, your goals, what kind of experience do you
    want to have, results, time and money before you begin your search.   Think about the qualities you want in a therapist.  
    This is a person you are honoring by sharing your most intimate details of your life, search for a therapist with the
    reverence you or your family deserve.
                                  
    Begin by finding out the names of several respected therapists in your area.  You may ask people you trust (friends or
    family, physicians, attorneys, pastors, or school counselors about child and adolescent therapists), obtain a provider referral
    list from your HMO or PPO, or contact professional organizations such as California Psychological Association (CPA) or
    California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists (CAMFT). Spend time searching the web and reading profiles.


    What questions should I ask a potential therapist?

    Once you have several referrals, you should set up an interview to get to know the therapist’s approach and style and to
    see if he or she shares your same goals for therapy.  Most therapists offer consultations for a set fee.  Use this time as an
    opportunity to find out about the therapist, talk about your goals and reasons for pursing therapy, and ask for his/her
    assessment of your situation and how he/she might help you.  Through this process, you’ll decide whether this therapist is
    someone with whom you feel comfortable and confident.  Below are some of the questions you may wish to ask in a
    consultation:

    Consultation Questions:        
    •        What is your education,  training, and background?
    •        Are you licensed or certified?
    •        Do you belong to a professional association and, if so, which one(s)?
    •        Are you in good standing professionally, or are you under any sort of disciplinary action?
    •        What is your approach to therapy?
    •        How long are appointments, how often should I see you, and how long does therapy generally take?
    •        Can I get a regular appointment time?
    •        Are you available for emergency consultation if I experience a crisis?
    •        Do you take insurance?
    •        What are your fees and financial policies (charges for telephone calls between sessions, cancellations,
    missed                   appointments)?
    •        What are your policies regarding confidentiality (especially re: couples therapy, family therapy, and treatment of a
    minor)?
    •        What is your assessment of me and my situation?
    •        If you formulate a diagnosis, will you inform me?
    •        What are your views on (mention any specific issue, such as gender roles, marriage and divorce, religion, etc., that is
    important to you)?
    •        Are there any risks to therapy?
    •        What advice do you give clients about getting the most from their therapy experience?
    Pay close attention to how you feel with the therapist.  Notice if you’re comfortable being honest about what’s going on in
    your life.  If the therapist doesn't seem right, don't let this stop your search – there is someone out there who is right for
    you.  Even the best therapist in the world is not the right fit for everyone.


    How should I evaluate the therapist?

    After meeting with a prospective therapist, evaluate him/her on the following types of considerations.  Therapy is an
    important investment of your personal time, emotional energy, and finances, and you deserve to make the right decision.
    •        Connection and “Good Fit”:  Research shows that the quality of the therapeutic relationship is the primary factor in
    making therapy successful.  You should feel comfortable with the therapist you select and sense that he/she is competent
    and prepared to help you achieve your goals.
    •        Interest:  A good therapist is genuinely interested in you, your situation and goals, and your expectations.  
    •        Receptivity:  A good therapist will be very receptive to honesty and directness.  Were you able to be honest and
    direct?
    •        Accurate Assessment:  A good clinician should be able to give you an initial assessment that captures your problem
    or dilemma, sheds some interesting light on factors that may be contributing to the problem, and suggests important steps
    that will likely be necessary in resolving these problems and helping you achieve your goals.  
    •        Training:  In general, you're better off with therapists who have professional credentials.
    •        Experience:  In order to work well with you, a therapist should have experience with the type of problem you're
    experiencing.
    •        Life Experience:  A therapist’s life experience should allow him/her to have enough life knowledge to understand
    your situation, problems, and goals.
    •        Clarity about Goals:  A good therapist will be willing to discuss the goals for therapy with you.
    •        Review of Goals:  The therapist and the client periodically review the goals and take stock of the progress made.
    •        Response to Feedback:  A good therapist gives straightforward answers to questions, discusses problems, and takes
    complaints seriously.
    •        Use of Consultants:  A therapist should have a consultant or supervisor to discuss their cases with and give him or
    her perspective on handling difficult situations.
    •        Personal Boundaries:  A therapist may share some relevant details about his or her own life, but he or she should not
    spend the session discussing personal problems.
    •        Professionalism:  A therapist should be warm and friendly but remain highly professional in terms of conduct, focus,
    and boundaries.  
    •        Acknowledge Growth and Progress:  A therapist will encourage your independence and acknowledge your progress.  
    When your major goals are nearly met, the therapist will begin talking about ending your therapy.


    Once you decide on a therapist…

    Once you have chosen a therapist whom you feel really comfortable with and confident in, set an appointment and begin!  
    Then, be sensitive to the progress you’re making and discuss this openly and regularly with your therapist.  You should
    experience progress in the following ways.
    •        Early Progress:  Within the first 3-4 sessions, you should be feeling increasingly comfortable with your therapist,
    sense a good measure of trust, and feel that you are working together.  The therapist should have an increasingly clear
    handle on your situation, and you should already be sensing initial movement or relief.  However, sometimes things get
    worse before they get better.  This is understandable as you begin to explore problems and face feelings that have been
    buried.  Make sure that you ask your therapist whether your experience is normal.  In couples and family therapy, you
    should already have received and be practicing specific strategies for improving the relationship patterns.
    •        Ongoing Progress:  As your therapy continues, you should be provided with specific assignments to keep working
    toward your goals outside of therapy appointments, and you should be receiving outside recommendations (classes,
    coinciding alternative treatments, local resources, collaborative referrals like psychiatrists for medication evaluations, and so
    on).  You should be discussing your progress regularly, and results should be measurable.  
    •        Time to End Therapy:  As you’ve achieved the gains you’ve wanted, it’s time to discuss ending therapy.  A
    customary way to end therapy is progressively decrease the frequency of sessions to twice or once per month.  If
    everything holds well, then it’s time to end the therapy.  Clients will oftentimes leave therapy and then call when something
    in their lives comes up that they want to talk about, and they’ll schedule a few more sessions.  


    How do I find out if my insurance will help pay for therapy?

    If you have HMO insurance, you must use only therapists who work for the HMO.  If you have PPO insurance, you may
    select any provider you wish.  The difference with a PPO is that they will pay a higher percentage for a therapist on their
    provider list (“In-Network”) and a lower percentage for therapists who are not on the provider list (“Out-of-Network”).

    My office is a straight fee-for-service practice;  I choose not to be on any insurance provider lists.  However, most of my
    clients have PPO insurance and submit their monthly invoices to their insurance companies and receive reimbursement at
    the “Out-of-Network” rate.  

    This is how to find out what your insurance company would reimburse from this office:
    •        Mental Health Benefits:  Call your insurance company and ask them what your Mental Health benefits are.
    •        Reimbursement Rates:  If you have a PPO, ask about the reimbursement rates for “In-Network Providers” versus
    “Out-of-Network Providers.”   Our office will qualify for the “Out-of-Network” rate (generally a slightly lower
    percentage).  If you have an HMO plan, you will only receive reimbursement from providers who are in the HMO’s
    network, which means that you would receive no reimbursement for our services.
    •        Exclusions:  Ask is there are any “Exclusions” in your policy.  “Exclusions” refers to certain Diagnosis Codes (like
    ADHD or Substance Abuse) or Procedure Codes (such as Family Therapy) that are not covered.  If you learn of any
    exclusions, please notify us before beginning treatment.
    •        Send in Claims:  If you have “Out-of-Network” coverage and decide to seek reimbursement, simply request Claim
    Forms from your insurance company.  Then, simply fill out a claim form, attach our Monthly Statement of services
    provided, and drop it in the mail.  If there is any information on your claim forms that must be filled out by the provider,
    we will gladly complete the sections for you.  
    •         I Am Here to help!:  If you have any difficulty finding out about your coverage, call the office and we’ll be happy to
    explore this on your behalf.