Frequently Asked Questions

What is therapy?

When most people think of therapy, Sigmund Freud and his infamous couch often come to mind. But this may not be a completely accurate view of therapy today.

Effective therapy involves a Marriage Family Therapist listening to you describe your issues and struggles. It’s a two-way communication process, with the client offering details on their life experiences and the therapist often asking questions. Together, both the therapist and client work together to arrive at a greater understanding of why the client may be experiencing certain feelings and how to manage those feelings for complete life fulfillment.

 


What is a Marriage Family Therapist?

Some people think that a Marriage Family Therapist only helps married couples or families. Actually, Marriage Family Therapists are trained to treat individuals, couples, families or groups in how they interact with people, regardless of married or familial status.

 


How common are mental conditions or disorders?

More common than people think. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NAMI), more than 44 million Americans ages 18 or older – or one in five people – experience some kind of mental health issue every year, making mental health issues the number one health challenge in the United States. If you are experiencing a mental health issue, you need to know that you are not alone.


 

What are the most common mental health issues?

Mental health conditions can take many forms, and some are more serious than others. Depression is the most common disorder, affecting 40 million Americans each year. The known prevalence of depression is growing and the average age of which it affects people is dropping, mostly striking people in their prime working years.  In 40% of cases, the average age of onset is 20 and the average age overall is 27.

 

Mental illness tops all other diseases as a cause of disability in the United States, Canada and Western Europe, accounting for 25% overall disability. Four of the 10 leading causes of disability in the U.S. are mental disorders: major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. 

 

 

What can happen if a mental health condition is left untreated?

There are significant ramifications when mental conditions are left untreated. For adults, mental health issues can cause problems in work, family and personal life. For children, lack of treatment often leads to school failure, involvement in the juvenile justice system, poor relationships and even suicide.

 

 

Is my mental health issue actually making me sick or affecting my overall health?

Maybe. There is growing evidence that mental health issues actually contribute to an individual’s overall health condition. According to the American Association of Marriage Family Therapy (AAMFT), psychotherapy and counseling services have been shown to reduce healthcare use by more than 20%.

 

 

I think I might be depressed. Will I have to take medication?

Not necessarily. Often depression can be treated simply by talking about the issues that are contributing to the depression and dealing with your behavioral responses to those issues. In some situations, treatment may require medication.

 

 

Do mental health issues affect relationships?

Absolutely. There’s no question that a person’s mental health affects their perception and interactions with others, regardless of whether it’s a family member, friend or work colleague. In couples, the negative consequences of mental health issues can be quite severe. In fact, every year, mental health issues contribute to up to 50% of married couples filing for divorce, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times.

 

 

How many people actually seek therapy?

According to AAMFT, more than 2.3 million individuals seek therapy every year, while 863,000 couples seek therapy every year.  More than half a million families seek therapy per year. 

 

 

Do people who have undergone therapy actually feel better?

According to AAMFT, nearly all (98%) clients rated the services they received as good or excellent, 97% said they received the kind of help they wanted, and 91% said they were satisfied with the amount of help they received. Nearly all – 97% – said they would recommend their therapist to a friend.

 

 

How much does therapy cost?

That depends on whether it is for an individual, couple, family or group. But generally therapy is very affordable. We offer therapy sessions based on a sliding scale, with lower pricing available to those individuals who may be experiencing financial difficulty.

 

 

What insurance do you take?

Currently, Dubbs Counseling is not on any insurance panels. However, a receipt of services rendered can be provided for you to submit to your insurance carrier for possible reimbursement. Reimbursement will depend on your insurance carrier.

 

 

How often are counseling services?

That depends on you and your needs. Some individuals choose to have counseling weekly while others prefer to meet every other week. Still, other, more serious conditions may benefit from multiple sessions during the week.

 

 

How long in therapy until I may feel better?

Everyone is an individual and therefore unique. Some may start to feel better after a few sessions, while others may take longer. However, it’s important to point out that effective counseling is designed to ensure good, positive mental health for life. Consequently, therapy sessions may be required long-term.

Web Hosting Companies