Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling

Do I need counseling?
If you are experiencing a difficult time in your life, when you are feeling stuck and unable to make a decision, it is a good time to consider counseling. Having an objective opinion from a professional therapist, who is trained in helping people resolve their problems, is a good idea to follow. When you keep doing the same things and getting the same results, and nothing seems to be working out the way you planned, it is time to see a counselor for help.

 

Are you the right counselor for me?
It is not always easy to know who is the best counselor for your particular needs. We both try to accommodate to individual clients by being as fair and open minded as we can. It is often a good idea to call and speak with either or both of us before you decide to make an appointment. That way, you can get a better idea of our personal styles and personalities, which will enable you to make a decision.

 

How do I start talking about my problems?
Begin with the immediate crisis or difficulty that brings you to therapy. It is not essential to present all the history of the problem in the very first session. It is better to outline the current source of your dilemma and discuss some of the ways in which you have tried to solve it. We will review your history as a way of understanding how you arrived at your present situation, and use this information to help you come up with some solutions.

 

Can you save my marriage or my relationship?
It is not our job to save your marriage or your relationship. We do not have the power or the potential to do this -- only you do. We will help you try to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it. This requires a personal commitment on both of your parts, and a decision that you are willing to invest your time and energy in the process. We do not have a crystal ball to offer you. Instead, we do have the background and experience to guide you into making decisions that are in your own best interests, both individually and as a couple.

 

Are my children too young, or too old, for counseling?
We are both trained child counselors who work with children from the ages of two through eighteen. If your child is showing signs that he or she is having problems, it is a good idea to bring them in for an evaluation. They may be acting in ways that are not typical for them, such as bed-wetting, separation anxiety, aggressive behavior, or school-related behavior problems. It is likely that your children have been trying to show you that something is wrong by acting in these ways, instead of coming right out and telling you personally. Family crises, such as separation or divorce , are often difficult for children to handle on their own, and they need your help in learning how to deal with these situations.

 

What if I have a problem with alcohol or drugs?
We believe that an initial evaluation is important in determining the extent of the problem and setting up a plan for treatment. We often work with people who are currently in a recovery program, such as AA, although this is not a requirement for coming to counseling. We have extensive experience working with alcohol and drug related problems, especially in how they effect different family members. There is often a history of alcohol or drug abuse in a person's family, sometimes going back for generations. It is difficult to break such long-standing patterns, and it requires a strong commitment to treatment over an extended period of time, as well as a genuine desire to change.

 

What about my privacy and confidentiality?
We are located in a private, rural setting, several miles outside of town . Your sense of privacy is insured as well as your right to confidentiality. If you would like us to share information about you or your family, we need your written permission to do so. In cases where a person's safety is endangered, we are obligated professionally to contact the proper authorities.

 

What about managed care and other insurance plans?
We contract to provide services with a wide variety of insurance plans. In the case of managed care, we work together with the company to ensure that you receive the treatment that you are entitled to. This means that we must share information with the case manager and request authorization for the appropriate number of sessions. These plans often have limitations which we must work with, and we cannot guarantee that you will be given all that you ask for. We have a strong commitment to working with our clients, and we make provisions to continue treatment, even if your insurance plan does not pay.

 

How long does therapy take?
Anywhere from one hour to several years. We work with people on both long and short term plans, depending on the severity of the problem and difficulties that are encountered along the way. Usually, one problem is caused by another, and it takes a while to uncover all the factors involved. We believe in making the counseling experience as effective as possible, and we respect an individual's right to proceed at her or his own pace. We realize that change is a difficult thing to accomplish, and we have no way of knowing how long it will take.

 

How will I know when I am done?
When you have accomplished your goals and made the changes you wanted in your life. It is up to you to decide whether or not you have done what you wanted to do in coming to counseling. Often, one change leads to another, and you may realize that you have changed some things without even realizing it. It is important to evaluate your progress along the way, and see if there are other areas you would like to explore. As always, it is your decision to begin counseling and it is your decision to end it. When the time comes, you will know, and it will feel like the right thing to do.

 

Do you take Medicaid and Medicare?
We both contract with Vermont and New Hampshire Medicaid. Bob also accepts Medicare.

 

When can I make an appointment?
You are welcome to call us from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM , Monday through Friday, or 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Saturday or Sunday. We schedule emergency appointments within a few hours on the day that you call us, and regular appointments within two days of your call. If we are busy, please leave a message and we will return your call promptly. You may also reach us by e-mail at: bob.handelman@valley.net