Generally, everything you discuss with your therapist is confidential, with a few exceptions. All therapists (psychologists, social workers, counselors, etc.) are mandated by law to report any instances of child or elder abuse when we hear of them. Additionally, we are required to report instances of a specific threat of harm to another person. Finally, we would break confidentiality when a client makes statements about wanting to hurt themselves, with the hope and intent that we would be able to work to ensure our client’s safety. As you may notice, the underlying principle is that we would break confidentiality to maintain the safety of our clients and those around them.

With children and adolescents, confidentiality can be somewhat more complicated. While parents of these clients are legally entitled to relevant information that is shared in therapy sessions, it is highly recommended that some level of confidentiality is maintained with underage clients. This ensures that these children and adolescents feel comfortable talking freely with their therapist, thereby building trust and ensuring that therapy can be productive. Typically, children and adolescents are encouraged to share important information discussed in therapy with their parents, such as thoughts, feelings, and ways they are working on coping with things so that parents can support their child’s growth at home.

• Aetna
• Anthem
• Blue Cross of California
• Blue Cross of Massachusetts
• Blue Shield
• Carelon
• Kaiser Northern California
• Magellan
• Military One Source
• Oscar
• Oxford
• Quest Behavioral Health
• TriCare
• United Healthcare
  

• There may be occasions where it may be appropriate and an added value to the therapeutic process to invite a guest to therapy, however, the therapist and the client both need to agree to extend the invitation. When inviting a guest, it is important to remember that the focus of individual therapy is to empower the client with the skills necessary to overcome their distress.

  Sometimes inviting a guest to therapy may shift the focus from the client’s progress to trying to manage, explain, or dispute the guest’s behaviors. Together the client and the therapist will explore the pros and cons involved with inviting a guest to therapy.

No, attending individual counseling does not mean that you have a mental illness. It is an inaccurate myth that you have to be diagnosed with something to attend therapy. Some insurance providers indeed require a diagnosis to cover the expense of therapy, however, the client always has the option to seek options that do not require a diagnosis for care. Life can be challenging, and it is not abnormal to need therapeutic support.

I have worked with young victims of trauma and sexual abuse for over 10 years. I have served as an adolescent rape crisis counselor specifically aiding young victims of sexual assault. I also worked as a child Therapeutic Behavioral Specialist, helping children with mental diagnoses utilize coping skills in educational, community, and home settings.

The teenage years can be a tough time for parents and the teenager. Therapy can help the teenager understand the developmental changes that are occurring in their body while learning how to regulate their emotions and behaviors.

We provide individual, couples, and family counseling services with the understanding that the veteran experience may be different from the civilian population. We also specialize in aiding veterans transitioning from military service to civilian employment.

We use various trauma-informed practices; however, we have found that Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is particularly helpful for reprocessing traumatic experiences.

EMDR is a structured psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. It encourages the patient to briefly focus on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories.

EMDR is a therapy used to help various populations, not just military members.

A family does not mean that everyone is biologically related, but rather it focuses on improving the relationships of a group of people who would like to function as a cohesive unit. This type of therapy includes treatment for blended families (parents, stepparents, stepchildren), roommates or a group of friends who may be experiencing conflict, and/or business partners/coworkers.

When opting for family therapy, each person needs to know that the “family unit” is the client. However, there may be occasions when it is appropriate for the therapist to meet with members individually. These individual sessions will occur on a case by case basis and will be thoroughly discussed with the family.

It would be ideal for each member to attend the sessions, but therapists understand that scheduling conflicts and other obligations will occur. The therapist will collaborate with the clients on a plan that allows therapeutic progress to occur while working with the client’s schedules.

Career counseling can be for anyone! Career counseling is extremely beneficial for those that have worked in one specific field for years but maybe considering a profession change. A lot of people are unhappy with their professions, but they are frightened by the thought of failing in a new career. Career counseling can help the client properly plan for the career change and provide resources that could decrease the client’s stress while increasing support.

Once you’ve found what causes your stress, focus on what you can control. Eliminate the realistic stressors and develop consistent de-stressing habits. Instead of watching TV or responding to texts in bed after work – take a walk, or read a book. Maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough quality sleep, will ease feelings of stress and help you relax.

Also, make a conscious effort to set aside time for yourself and for relaxation. Alone time can be whatever you need it to be. Some people like doing activities such as tai chi, yoga, or meditation, but you can also treat yourself to something simple, like taking a bubble bath, listening to music, or watching a funny movie.

• Disappointment in oneself or the relationship
• One or both partners are feeling dissatisfied
• Couples lack communication and disconnect from one another
• One or both partners feel neglected or unwanted
• A feeling of sexual boredom or unhappiness

• Psychosexual Therapy: this technique allows couples to express themselves in a safe environment with a trusted and supportive professional.
• Relationship Counseling: healthy relationships require strong connections and time to build trust. Whatever the issue may be, a counselor can work with individuals together or separate to overcome the problem.

All supervisors are licensed mental health professionals who have completed the requirements to be clinical supervisors according to the BBS guidelines. Supervisors may hold a license of social work, marriage & family therapy, or professional clinical counseling.

There is an abundance of free assessments online, BUT many are only assessing your interests. For example, you will see questions like: Do you like painting? Do you like managing a retail store? Do you like helping people? The problem with some of these assessments is that realistically our interests do not always align with other aspects of our personality.

Additionally, free online assessments rarely address a client’s physical, emotional, or spiritual limitations. Career counseling may help clients work through those limitations by presenting solutions and/or alternative career options.

Career counseling can be for anyone! Career counseling is extremely beneficial for those that have worked in one specific field for years but maybe considering a profession change. A lot of people are unhappy with their professions, but they are frightened by the thought of failing in a new career. Career counseling can help the client properly plan for the career change and provide resources that could decrease the client’s stress while increasing support.