Additional Information

A broad range of concerns! We have extensive experience helping clients who present with career-related stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges. Often clients will present with vague issues such as boredom, or developmental issues such as identity formation. We also see clients with trauma or traumatic stress that is either related to recent events or rooted in the past. We provide counseling for individuals, couples, and family counseling.

Counseling is work for the therapist as well as the client. It is completely okay and normal to feel unsure about what you are going to talk about in therapy, or to avoid starting therapy because the prospect is overwhelming or confusing. Here are a few tips that can help frame the experience as you go into it:

• Do your best to take care of yourself prior to (and after) your therapy sessions. Eat nutritious foods, drink water, sleep, and move your body in order to facilitate the changes that you are hoping to make by going to therapy. We understand you might be going to therapy because you aren’t doing these things, and that’s okay. Just do the best you can right now.
• Don’t worry about what your therapist thinks. All humans tend to form judgments about others, but therapists are supposed to maintain a neutral position so that you can speak freely without tiptoeing around the opinions of others.
• Talk about what seems important to you. Never mind if you’ve been told it’s no big deal by someone else, never mind if you’ve talked about it in the past and can’t imagine why bringing it up again could possibly help. Notice the thoughts you are having, tune into the way that you are feeling, and share that with your therapist.
• Talk about the process. If you feel judged by your therapist, or you disagree with something your therapist said, bring it up! Expect that your therapist will be able to use this feedback or constructive conflict in a way that addresses your deeply held personal values and personal sense of identity.
• Expect some new challenges. Often times we seek out a therapist because something isn’t working. This thing that is no longer working is probably something that worked for us in the past, but something has changed, and now we have to learn a new way to do this thing. That can be difficult! Of course, we all go to therapy hoping for something to get easier or better, but the path to that place is not a straight line, and anticipating the ups and downs of personal growth can help us remain flexible in our approach.
• Ask questions. If your therapist is saying something based on the mistaken assumption that you understand what they are saying, then it is imperative that you let them know. Even (especially) if you think you should already know the answer–ask questions.

Yes, communication between a client and their counselor is privileged and confidential, however, there are a few notable exceptions as required by law:

1. If you indicate that you are going to harm yourself or another person, the counselor is legally obligated to protect the health and safety of those in harm’s way, which can require outside disclosure of privileged health information.
2. Your counselor is a mandated reporter, which means they are required to report recent or ongoing abuse or neglect of elderly, minor, or incapacitated individuals.
3. In the state of Missouri, Licensed Professional Counselors are required to respond to subpoenas for criminal cases.

In addition to the exceptions to privacy noted above, your counselor may also reserve the right to consult with another licensed mental health professional if they require guidance on your particular case. These consultations are provided routinely with minimal identifying information disclosed to the consulting colleague.

The free initial consultation is an opportunity to ask questions and get some face time with a counselor who is available to work with you. The counselor will ask, generally, what type of help you are seeking in order to make sure they believe counseling is a good way to address your current challenges. There is no need to divulge private information during the initial consultation, and there is no requirement that you seek a consultation prior to beginning therapy.

The counseling intake session lasts 50-60 minutes and can be completed in-person or via telehealth (similar to Zoom) using any computer browser or smart device. Prior to meeting for the intake session, you will need to review and sign practice documents including an informed consent form and privacy practices document. You will also need to provide information about yourself via intake forms. All practice documents and forms are provided in electronic format for your convenience. You will also need to arrange payment by putting a debit/credit card on file with us. Your counselor will be in direct contact with you prior to the intake session, and they will guide you through this process to help you set up your first appointment.

This varies greatly, and we encourage clients to focus on achieving their goals rather than setting arbitrary expectations based on ideal timelines. We acknowledge that this answer is probably a big let-down if you were hoping for a concrete number, and we encourage you to share your disappointment with us in session! For us, forming a positive relationship with the client is key to doing good work and facilitating personal growth. We believe that pinning your expectations on a timeline before we even know what you want to accomplish is dishonest, so we instead invite you to embrace the authentic uncertainty of the situation with us as you begin this important work.

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency and need immediate support, please contact Behavioral Health Response (BHR) at (314) 469-6644 if you are in the St. Louis area, or contact the Burrell Central Missouri Mental Health Crisis Line at (800) 395-2132 if you are in the mid-Missouri area.