Common Questions

Click open toggles to see answers to frequently asked questions

How Can Therapy Help Me?

A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, 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
  • 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

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’re at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.

Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it is right for me?

People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy. Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts and creative blocks. Therapy can help provide some much-needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods. Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life. In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives. 

What is therapy like?

Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your therapist (usually weekly).

It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in-session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process — such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors, or taking action on your goals. People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives.   

What about medication vs. psychotherapy?

It is well established 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. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what’s best for you, and in some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. 

Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist’s office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in-session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”.  Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (you’re your Physician, Naturopath, Attorney), but by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.

However, state law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:

* Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.

* If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.

We are interactive, solution-focused therapists. Our therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. We integrate complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, we work with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.

We work best with the client who wants an ACTIVE participant in resolving their problems in living. To maximize your therapy experience we help define the changes you want to make and utilize homework so progress is made between sessions. The goal we will set for all our clientele is to live more days in peace and joy. You will get help in making better decisions, gain emotional control, overcome fears and become a better parent, spouse or family member.

Working with all problems as they relate to children; conduct problems, divorce adjustment, school performance. We have several treatment approaches to overcome depression and anxiety, and can speed up the emotional recovery from various life traumas/

We have considerable experience in working with the court systems. 

Do you take insurance, and how does that work?

We accept most insurance carriers, but it is important to determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier. The first thing you should do is call them. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers. 

Some helpful questions you can ask them: 

  • What are my mental health benefits?
  • 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? 

What insurance do you accept and what are the costs?

We are currently in network with Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, Medicaid, Hennepin health, Ucare, UHC Student Resources, Sun Country Health, Health Partners, Optum, United Health Care, Preferred one, Medica, UMR, United Health PMAP (Medicaid Plan). Please check your individual plan as this may vary. 

Rates are as follows:

Intake Session: $200

Individual therapy: 

  • 53-60 minutes: $175

  • 38-52 minutes: $160

  • 16-37 minutes: $80

60 minute session without client present (parent) $160

60 minute session Couples/Family $200

Late cancel (less than 48 hours advance) $80

What is your cancellation policy?

The cancellation policy requires a minimum of 24 hour notice when canceling an appointment, otherwise there will be a $80 no-show charge due prior to your next appointment.

Privacy and confidentiality rules and regulations:

Therapeace Counseling, LLC  is bound by the provisions of the Minnesota Privacy Act. No information will be released to persons or agencies outside of Therapeace Counseling, LLC  without your consent, except by court order. If anyone inquires about information from Therapeace Counseling, LLC, related to you, or your record, a signed release of information is required. Before granting permission, you must be satisfied with what information is being disclosed, to whom, and for which dates. You may wish to refuse permission or withdraw it after it has been given. When parents sign for consent, minors may request that information in their file not be made available to their parents. However, Therapeace Counseling, LLC may not provide therapy services to minors without parental permission.

Exception to confidentiality/mandated reporting:

There are seven situations in which client confidentiality is not maintained:

1. If Therapeace Counseling, LLC  has knowledge of, or reasonable cause to believe, a child is being neglected or physically or sexually abused, in which case Minnesota statutes (1976, Section 626.656, Subdivision 3) require that such information be reported.

2. Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults (as specified in the Vulnerable Adults Act, Minnesota Statute 626.557) must be reported.

3. Therapeace Counseling, LLC  has reason to believe there may be physical harm done to any person.

4. Therapeace Counseling, LLC  is required by specific court order to disclose information.

5. The Minnesota Department of Human Services may, on occasion, monitor Therapeace Counseling, LLC files to assist in program and fiscal planning.  This is provided for in the Minnesota Data Privacy Act of 1975.

6. If Therapeace Counseling, LLC  has knowledge of, or reasonable cause to believe a pregnant woman is taking drugs, Minnesota statutes require such information to be reported.

7. If Therapeace Counseling, LLC  needs to disclose your name to collection agencies for the purpose of obtaining delinquent payment for services rendered.

Client Bill of Rights:

Consumers of marriage and family therapy services offered by marriage and family therapists licensed by the State of Minnesota have the right:

1. To expect that a therapist has met the minimal qualifications of training and experience required by state law.

2. To examine public records maintained by the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy, which contain the credentials of a therapist.

3. To obtain a copy of the code of ethics from the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy, 2829 University Avenue SE, Suite 330, Minneapolis, MN  55414-3222.

4. To report complaints to the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy by calling (612) 617-2220.

5. To be informed of the cost of professional services before receiving the services.

6. To privacy as defined by rule and law.

7. To be free from being the subject of discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, or other unlawful category while receiving services.

8. To have access to their records as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 144.335, subdivision 2.

9. To be free from exploitation for the benefit or advantage of a therapist.

The contents of this site and all the pages herein are intended for informational purposes only and are subject to change without notice at any time.

None of the information in this site is intended to be taken as advice therapeutic, legal, or otherwise.

At no time does use of this site nor communication through this site constitute a therapeutic relationship between the user and the therapist(s).

Therapeace Counseling, LLC  is a limited liability company which assumes no liability for the content of this site or damages that may result from use, reference to, reliance on, or decisions resulting from its use.

Use of this site establishes your consent to the provisions of this disclaimer.

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