Frequently Asked Questions
Is what I tell you confidential?
Absolutely! My office setting is very private. I have 2 doors to my office one into the waiting room and a different door that people usually leave through. There are exceptions to confidentiality, I am a mandated reporter and by law need to report child and vulnerable adult abuse and neglect, homicide and suicide intention.
What if I see you in the community, Bemidji is a small town?
I will follow your lead if I see you in the community. I will behave as if I have not met you unless you indicate that you know me. I do this to protect your privacy, not because I do not know who you are. I will not get into a conversation about personal matters unless we are in my office.
What can I expect at the first session?
At the first session I will review the paperwork that you filled out. Then we will talk about why you decided to start counseling at this time and your goals for counseling.
How long do I need to see you to feel better?
How long counseling takes varies greatly depending on the severity of the problem, how long the problem has been going on and how much work you do between sessions. Just like some physical diseases are treated quickly (an ear infection), some diseases can be cured with many months of treatment (some forms of cancer) and other diseases can not be cured, but can be managed (diabetes) mental or emotional issues vary greatly in how long it takes to treat.
How often will I come?
Usually I meet with people weekly when we start working together. As you are feeling better we will space our sessions further apart. How long this takes to move from weekly to every other week sessions has many variables including how long have you had the problem, how severe is the problem, what is causing the problem and how much work are you doing between sessions.
Will my insurance cover it?
Most insurance companies cover counseling. You can check your policy if you are unsure by calling the toll free number on the back of your card or looking in your policy book under behavioral health coverage.
Insurance does not cover coaching or consultation.
Absolutely! My office setting is very private. I have 2 doors to my office one into the waiting room and a different door that people usually leave through. There are exceptions to confidentiality, I am a mandated reporter and by law need to report child and vulnerable adult abuse and neglect, homicide and suicide intention.
What if I see you in the community, Bemidji is a small town?
I will follow your lead if I see you in the community. I will behave as if I have not met you unless you indicate that you know me. I do this to protect your privacy, not because I do not know who you are. I will not get into a conversation about personal matters unless we are in my office.
What can I expect at the first session?
At the first session I will review the paperwork that you filled out. Then we will talk about why you decided to start counseling at this time and your goals for counseling.
How long do I need to see you to feel better?
How long counseling takes varies greatly depending on the severity of the problem, how long the problem has been going on and how much work you do between sessions. Just like some physical diseases are treated quickly (an ear infection), some diseases can be cured with many months of treatment (some forms of cancer) and other diseases can not be cured, but can be managed (diabetes) mental or emotional issues vary greatly in how long it takes to treat.
How often will I come?
Usually I meet with people weekly when we start working together. As you are feeling better we will space our sessions further apart. How long this takes to move from weekly to every other week sessions has many variables including how long have you had the problem, how severe is the problem, what is causing the problem and how much work are you doing between sessions.
Will my insurance cover it?
Most insurance companies cover counseling. You can check your policy if you are unsure by calling the toll free number on the back of your card or looking in your policy book under behavioral health coverage.
Insurance does not cover coaching or consultation.
