Keith Idell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a trained EMDR therapist, working with adult individuals. Below are some common questions received from potential clients.

 

Is therapy right for me?

Do I really need therapy?  I can usually handle my problems.

How can therapy help me?

What is therapy like? 

Is medication a substitute for therapy?

Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?
Is therapy confidential?

 

Is therapy right for me?
Seeking out therapy is an individual choice, and doesn't mean that a person has a "mental illness". There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it's to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one's life such as death of a loved one, divorce or work transition. Many seek the advice of a therapist as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.

Do I really need therapy?  I can usually handle my problems.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you are in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefit and support, and provides you with the tools you need to cope with triggers, change damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.

 

How can therapy help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief and loss, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

 

- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values

- Recovering from traumatic experiences

- Developing skills for improving your relationships

- Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy

- Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety

- Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures

- Improving communications and listening skills

- Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones

- Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage

- Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

What is therapy like? 
Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. It is standard for therapists to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around fifty minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect from engaging in therapy with me:

 

- Compassion, respect and understanding

- Cutting edge therapies that accelerate change, including EMDR 

- Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings

- Real strategies for enacting positive change

- Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance

 

Is medication a substitute for therapy?
Questions of medication are best addressed with your Primary Care Physician or Medical Doctor.  My emphasis is in helping people make changes without medication, but in some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Work with your medical doctor to determine what's best for you. Studies have shown that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.


Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?
To determine if you have mental health coverage, the first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage carefully and find the answers to the following questions:

 

- What are my mental health benefits?

- What is my deductible, and have I met it for this year?

- What is the coverage amount per therapy session?

- How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?

- How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?

- Is approval required from my primary care physician?

 

Is therapy confidential?

The confidentiality of therapy and all related health information is protected by both Federal and State laws. All organizations involved in handling health information - including therapists - are bound by HIPAA(Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) which defines how and with whom personal health information may be shared. Personal health information is confidential and may only be released if the client signs a written authorization form giving permission for a named individual or entity to receive it. Aside from this written authorization, information may only be released if there is a risk of harm to the client or another individual, including children and vulnerable adults. The only other exceptions to confidentiality include legal proceedings where disclosure of records is court-ordered and/or where either client or therapist is the subject of a civil or criminal case to which the records may pertain. For more information on what constitutes Personal Health Information, how it can be used and with whom it can be shared, see the Notice of Privacy Practices.

 

Any other questions?

 

Please call Keith at 828-592-2078 or click here to send me a message via this website.