FAQ
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Q: How often should we meet?
Back to topA: This is a matter that we work out case by case. However, most people come in once a week. The reason for this is that a regular and frequent time to focus on the concern at hand is important, at least initially, so that old habits do not have as much of a chance to crowd out the new.
When money is a concern, however, we can work out creative alternatives, but beware that the less we meet, the more homework I am likely to give!
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Q: How long should we keep meeting?
A: The easy answer, of couse, is that we will keep meeting until you are satisfied that you have made the gains you sought. The biggest factor is really the degree to which you desire and are ready for change. If you are willing to look deeply within yourself for the source of the problem (even though there may be other sources), then you will be more likely to do something about it than if you see the problem as somewhere around you.
I have had a marriage completely turned around in one seeion. I have seen a chronic thief changed in an hour and healed of all kinds of childhood baggage. But I have a few folk who couldn't seem to stop blaming their partner after two or three years of work. Where are you?
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Q: Do you give homework?
A: You better believe it! What that looks like is completely customized to your needs and limitations, but you have to be able to work on something concrete in between sessions in order to internalize what we have talked about. This could include journaling, Bible reading, specific forms of prayer, communication exercises, or other reading materials.
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Q: How long do sessions last?
A: A standard clinical hour is 50 minutes, so this is what you should expect with most of us. If you work with me (Lyle), sessions more often than not last in the neighborhood of 60 - 75 minutes. This is not only becase of the format I follow (see under About Me), but also becuase I think it is mildly insulting to the client ot force them into having to be done at an artificial point. This is why I charge by the minute. Likewise, sometimes we finish all that we need to do before an hour, so why force it? Think of an hour as the round time, but be flexible. However, if you have a time limitation, then let me know. I have always seen that God is gracious enough to get done what needs to be done in the time allotted.
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Q: Just how should I choose a counselor?
A: Get my special report on that topic by writing me from the Contact page.
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Q: How much does a session cost?
A: This is going to be determined by the counselor. We all charge differently, so ask when you first speak with him or her.
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Q: Do you take insurance?
A: Some of us do, and some don't. Ask.
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Q: Do you have a sliding scale?
A: I will work hard to make sure that anyone can afford my services. Just ask me. |
Q: Do you work with children?
A: I have experience working with children, mostly from about middle school age and up. I can refer you to help if I am not the best fit, but most of the time I end up working with the parents in situations where the "identified client" is a child. I do this for two reasons. First, I find that parenting is most often a major factor in the problem for which counseling is sought. Second, my bias is for teaching parents the skills necessary to handle their God-given responsibility to raise their children and help them through difficult times or problems. Nonetheless, these two reasons do not necessarily cover 100% of the cases. |
Q: What if my spouse is not cooperative?
A: Before he got famous for his end-times series, Tim LaHaye wrote a great book that really impacted me, “How to be Happy Though Married.” In it he asserted that it was possible to change a marriage for the better without the cooperation of your spouse. I took it to heart personally and in my practice and have yet to see it fail when applied consistently over time. Which is not to say that you can be motivated out of a desire to change your spouse, but that God honors your willingness to address what is being exposed in you through your present situation. Your spouse will see the change. Yet, there are individuals who grow through counseling, and then their spouses leave them because they don’t like having a mature spouse; they liked the dysfunctional one. There are no guarantees, except to say that if you don’t get help yourself, it won’t get any better. |
Q: Are there nutritional supplements that you can recommend that affect mental and emotional issues?
A: Yes, click here to go to my Nutritional FAQ. |
