Questions You May Have About
Psychological Counseling And Treatment
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| What is psychotherapy?
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| Psychotherapy is a process of gaining
insight and perspective so that you can learn to understand your
behaviors and feelings and change those that are causing you distress.
There are many different forms of psychotherapy, such as behavior
therapy, group therapy, marital therapy, and children's play therapy.
Your doctor has expertise in various forms of psychotherapy and
will utilize the type of therapy, or a combination of therapies,
best suited to your individual needs.
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| How long does treatment typically last?
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| The length of treatment varies depending
on the nature of the problem/diagnosis. For some people, brief therapy
(6 to 20 visits) is effective. When problems have persisted over
an extended period of time, treatment may take longer. After an
initial evaluation—usually within your first few visits—your doctor
will probably be able to give you an estimate of the length of treatment.
We make every effort to keep your treatment as brief as possible
while still providing effective, lasting improvements.
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| Is personal information I discuss kept
confidential?
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| We respect your privacy and the confidentiality
of any personal information you discuss with us. We will not share
information about you without your knowledge and consent, except
in the unusual circumstance where not to do so could be dangerous
to you or others. Your doctor will be glad to explain to you the
legal restrictions on our professional commitment to confidentiality.
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| What are the credentials/professional
preparation of a clinical psychologist?
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| After four years of college, a clinical
psychologist receives at least another four years of graduate school
training for the Ph.D. degree plus at least one year of supervised
internship training in a hospital or other health care setting.
Most states, including Virginia, require still another year of postgraduate
residency training. This training is followed by extensive national
and state examinations and licensure. In addition, our staff members
participate in continuing education programs to keep abreast of
the latest developments in diagnosis and treatment.
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| What is expected of me in the treatment
process?
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| We ask that you become an active participant
in the healing process and invite any questions that will further
an understanding of your treatment. Together, we will work toward
building a comfortable, professional relationship of mutual trust
and respect so that we can set realistic expectations and achieve
the best possible outcomes.
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| Is there flexibility in the scheduling
of my appointments?
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| We will make every effort to schedule
your visits at a time convenient to you. During your initial consultation,
you and your doctor will determine a schedule of appointments that
best suits your needs. Usually your appointments will be set for
the same day and time of each week, in sessions of 50 minutes.
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| What are the costs of treatment?
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| The costs of treatment will vary according
to the types and frequency of services recommended. We expect that
you will want to discuss the financial aspects of treatment and
we'll be glad to fully explain our costs and billing procedures.
We can also assist you with information regarding how your insurance
may cover some of the costs of treatment.
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If you have any other questions, please ask us. We're here to help.
Copyright 1994 by Anita L Auerbach, Ph.D. All rights reserved