FAQs

• I have never been in counseling. What can I expect from counseling?

In general, it is completely normal to be apprehensive or anxious about a foreign experience, especially something such as counseling. The counseling process is designed for the therapist to join with the client from a place of empathy, active listening, and non-judgement; this therapeutic partnership (60% client vs. 40% therapist) is intended to explore collaboratively and transparently, the client’s therapeutic needs, its effect on functioning/emotional reactions, and how to arrive at a desired state of living. Counseling takes a lot of work and a lot of digging to gain a refreshed perspective and adaptive ways of being and coping.  

• Are you able to prescribe psychotropic medication?

No. Psychotropic medication is a psychopharmacology form of treatment used by physicians that includes Psychiatrists, Medical Psychologists, and at times, Pediatricians and Primary Care Physicians to treat mental health and substance use disorders. As a therapist, it is outside of my scope of practice to prescribe medication; however, in the event that you are being prescribed psychotropic medication, with your consent, there are many benefits of coordinating this said care with the counseling services provided by Healing Talk Therapy, LLC.

• Are you able to perform Psychological Testing?

No, I do not perform Psychological Testing. Psychological tests are instruments administered by trained evaluators. There are nine major types of psychological tests: (1) Personality; (2) Achievement; (3) Aptitude; (4) Emotional Intelligence; (5) Intelligence; (6) Neuropsychological; (7) Projective; (8) Observation; and (9) Attitude Psychological Tests. I am not trained to administer the aforementioned psychological tests. 

• Do you provide therapy for clients who speak Spanish?

Unfortunately, at this time, Healing Talk Therapy, LLC, does not have any one on staff including a Spanish speaking interpreter to provide counseling services in the Spanish language. 

• How often will I attend counseling appointments?

You will normally meet with your counselor once a week; however, in some cases, counseling may transpire twice a month if there are scheduling conflicts or if weekly counseling is deemed no longer needed. I do not recommend that you meet for counseling less than twice a month as it would impact the effectiveness and progress that can be made. The total duration of counseling varies according to the client’s needs and progress. 

• Can I have a family member or significant other join me for a session? 

Yes, however, for individuals seeking out individual therapy, family members or significant others would join sessions solely to contribute to your counseling goals and their attendance (that involves the identified client’s consent) to a session would be discussed in advance. 

• Do you see couples and families for counseling?

Yes, I provide counseling to families and couples. In addition, to counseling blended families, single parent families, families with non-traditional family structures, and I also offer pre-marital counseling. 

• Is there an age limit on who you provide counseling to?

I provide individual therapy to individuals age 7 and above, unless the minor is a client in a family counseling session. I would be more than happy to refer a child under age 7 to a local counselor that specializes in play therapy or any other specific specialty who can better serve younger children.