Frequently Asked Questions
You Have Questions, We Have Answers
How Can I Benefit From Counseling?
What Is Counseling?
Counseling is an opportunity to address the issues and challenges in your life with a trained, licensed and experienced professional in a confidential and non – judgmental environment.
Sessions offer focused and uninterrupted time that’s dedicated to you. Our care providers offer a wide range of therapeutic backgrounds, styles, and care modalities.
The import ant thing is that your care provider will always take the approach that best fits your situation, needs and goals.
What Is Unique About Seeking Treatment at SamaraCare?
SamaraCare stands apart from other mental health providers for several reasons. We be lieve in strengthening the connections between the mind, body, spirit and community to achieve optimum well – being. Our care providers are trained to offer spiritually integrated counseling for clients interested in that option. Lastly, we believe in afford able access to mental health services and are committed to offering reduced cost counseling to qualifying clients through our Mental Health Access Program.
How Will I Benefit From Counseling?
Of course, everyone’s experience is different, but the vast m ajority of our clients find counseling to be a force for meaningful positive transformation in their lives. Counseling may result in getting a different perspective on your experiences; exploring and discovering new things about yourself; changing unhelpfu l patterns of thinking and behaving; processing difficult experiences; and/or learning healthy coping skills. Most clients experience an enhanced ability to navigate life’s challenges with greater ease.
Do You Have Staff Who Can Prescribe Medication If Necessary?
Yes, we have licensed psychiatrists who can prescribe medication when appropriate. Medication management is one tool out of many that we can use to help you successfully resolve your challenges and concerns.
How Does Counseling Work?
What Happens During Your First Appointment?
Your first appointment is referred to as your Intake session. At that session, you and your care provider will begin to get to know each other. Your care provider will want to hear about what brought you to seek treatment as well as some general information about yourself and your current life situation. You may share your main concerns and your hopes for the outcome of your work together. Feel free to ask any questions and by the end of the appointment your therapist will provide initial thoughts about what to expect moving forward.
How Long Are Counseling Sessions?
Counseling sessions are approximately 53 minutes. Psychiatric sessions vary from 16 to 53 minutes.
How Often Are Counseling Sessions?
Counseling sessions are usually once a week; however, you and your counselor may agree to meet more or less often depending on your needs.
How Long Will I Be In Counseling?
The timing varies tremendously; it can last for a few sessions or several years. It depends on what you’re working on, the time you’re willing to put into it and the level of improvement you want. You’ll know you’re finished with counseling when you’ve accomplished your goal(s) and feel ready to meet life’s challenges without the support counseling provides.
What Do I Need To Do Before My Intake Session?
There are a few things new clients need to do before their intake session.
They include:
- Create a Client Portal with a password.
- Complete our online intake forms.
- Provide a Photo ID and a copy of your Insurance Card (if applicable) both from and back.
How Do Psychiatric Services Work?
How Do I Know If I need To See a Psychiatrist?
Not every mental health issue requires a psychiatrist. Often a psychologist or other clinical therapist can provide all the help you need. Whether or not to see a psychiatrist often requires an honest self-assessment including an awareness of behaviors, emotions, and thought patterns that are unhealthy, debilitating, and/or interfering with daily life. It’s how you cope, how you react, and what you do to get through difficult life experiences that indicates whether or not seeing a psychiatrist is necessary. A psychiatrist is not only qualified to make an accurate mental diagnosis, but their medical school training enables them to assess physical issues that may be contributing to a client’s psychological concerns.
Does a Psychiatrist Offer Psychotherapy?
Generally, a psychologist or therapist provides psychotherapy and a psychiatrist is seen when medications are part of the treatment. However, at SamaraCare, we have psychiatrists on staff that offer both psychotherapy and medication management.
If I See a Psychiatrist, Will I Have To Take Medication?
No. Our psychiatrists see their role as educating you about the risks, benefits, side effects and alternatives to treatment. They will partner with you in what you see as your best strategy to manage your condition. It is your decision whether or not to take medication, and we want you to be fully informed in either case.
Will I Be On Medication Forever?
For some clients, medications may be a short-term solution to help manage the initial stages of treatment. For others, medication use may be long-term or even lifelong. The decision to use or not use medication will always be made only after a discussion with your psychiatrist.
When Will I See Any Benefit From Using Medications?
Very few medications provide immediate relief. It often takes weeks and sometimes months for medication to become fully effective. It may take trying a couple of different types of medication to find the one that works the best for you.
Do You Prescribe Medication to Children and Adolescents?
Yes, medication can be an effective part of a comprehensive treatment for children and adolescents which may also include psychotherapy and family therapy. Medication can reduce or eliminate troubling symptoms and improve daily functioning. Many children take medications for attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Also, psychotropic medications may be prescribed for children who have autism, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, and other mental health conditions. As with adults, finding the right medication and dosage for a child or adolescent may involve some trial and error.
Telehealth Options
In-Person and Virtual Counseling
We offer both in-person and/or virtual counseling sessions. Both are HIPAA-compliant. Virtual (on-line) therapy consists of meeting with your therapist via a video conferencing platform on your computer, tablet or phone. Virtual counseling (teletherapy) is a relatively new way to receive care. If you’re thinking about it, here are some benefits to consider:
- Convenience in meeting with a therapist from the comfort of your own home
- No time spent traveling to appointments
- Access to care providers with specialized expertise regardless of their geographic location
Many insurance companies now cover virtual therapy. Always check with your insurance provider regarding your coverage for mental health services.
Frequently Treated Issues
These are the most commonly treated issues at SamaraCare:
Family Situations
- Adult Children of Addicts
- Divorce, Remarriage & Blended Families
- Elder Care
- Family Conflict and/or Abuse
- Marriage & Pre-Marital
- Parenting
- Sexual Dysfunction
Emotional Concerns
- Anger & Aggression
- Anxiety & Panic Disorders
- Depression & Stress
- Grief & Loss
- Impulsivity
- PTSD
- Self-Esteem
- Trauma Recovery
Other Challenges
- Addiction
- Adult ADD & ADHD
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Chronic Illness
- Domestic Abuse
- Eating Disorders
- Life Transitions
- Self-Injury
- Spirituality
- Substance misuse
Mental Health Screening
Our mental health screening is a great way to determine if you or someone you care about should connect with a mental health professional.
Client Stories
From Stuck to Strong – The Power of Counseling at SamaraCare
By Samira Mohammed, Pre-Licensed Counselor At SamaraCare, we are privileged to walk alongside individuals and families during some of the most vulnerable…