Common Questions: FAQs about Psychology | Mental Health Care from a Clinical Psychologist | Selective Mutism Treatment

What can a Clinical Psychologist do for me?
A Clinical Psychologist is a licensed professional that specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of mental illness and psychological problems. A Clinical Psychologist has completed a doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology, in addition to at least three years practicum training during graduate studies, a full-time internship year, and a full-time fellowship year to meet criteria for licensure. Certain specializations within Psychology require additional years of training and qualification, so it is not uncommon for Clinical Psychologists to exceed the minimum requirements listed above. Within the profession, each Psychologist has specific areas of interest and specialization but has the skills to provide treatment from multiple approaches.

What will happen during my first appointment?
We will meet with you for an extensive interview and psychological evaluation in which we will gather some information such as your history, symptoms, and family dynamics. Within this first session together, we will then determine the best plan of action to move forward.

Will my treatment be kept confidential?
We will not reveal any information regarding what happens within the work that we do together unless you have signed the Authorization to Disclose Information form. In the instance that you are in danger of harming yourself or another, then we are obligated by law to notify the authorities of this.

Will the cost of my treatment be covered by my insurance plan?
Depending on what type of insurance provider you are currently using, coverage for our services will vary. Many insurance companies reimburse anywhere from 50-80% of the total cost of services. We are out-of-network with insurance companies, and take payment in full at the time of service. We provide you with an insurance-reimburseable receipt. Your reimbursement will depend on the contract you have with your insurance company. We accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards.

How long will my treatment last?
There are no precise determinations that we can make regarding the length of your treatment. Generally speaking, the longer you have had your mental illness not medically acknowledged, the longer the treatment will take. Certain conditions do not require a lot of time to treat, and others considerably more. Certain mental illnesses require short-term treatment, and others require life long maintenance. We believe that you should seek treatment as soon as possible, for the best outcome.

How can I prevent my symptoms from coming back?
We give you guidance and protocols to adhere to both inside and outside of our office. Follow the treatment regimen and plan of action that we prescribe. Make sure that you follow recomedations for a psychiatric medication evaluation, if applicable, attend the psychotherapy sessions, and keep your life as balanced as you can. It is very important to try and avoid stressful situations, let your loved ones help you whenever possible, and seek help the moment you feel like your symptoms are returning or getting worse.

What determines if my symptoms will come back?
There are a few components that play a part in the recurrence of mental illness.
Coexisting stresses in life: often times, a mental illness will recur if there are additional life stressors (family or marital problems, starting a new job, losing someone close to you).

Age: more often than not, if someone is diagnosed with a mental illness earlier than later in life, there is a higher likelihood of the illness recurring.
Diagnosis: Some mental illnesses are more common to recur than others. Some of the ones on the list that are more likely to come back are: OCD, drug and alcohol addiction, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.

What if I have an emergency or an urgent situation come up?
If you find yourself in the midst of an emergency, please immediately call 9-1-1. If you have an urgent situation, call our office, and we will see you as soon as we can.

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