Terrace Counseling - Frequently Asked Questions

Brian Warren, LMFTA

Who can therapy help?

Taking some time out for yourself and having someone who will be focused and listen to you carefully can help almost anyone. Sometimes, it helps just to have someone to tell what is bothering you, who will listen in an accepting and supporting fashion. Other times, it feels like something is seriously wrong and you might not be able to move forwards in life until it is fixed, and having someone else guiding you through resolution would be of great help. There really is no problem too big or too small to be worked on in therapy.

How often do we meet?

Generally, we will meet once a week for 50 minutes, each week until you feel the issue is resolved; for some that may be a short few weeks, while others may have months or more of counseling. This is the standard schedule of therapy for most counseling services. There may also be times when meeting more than once a week is desired or necessary due to personal situations, or when there is a state of crisis or trauma. However, how often we meet is entirely at your discretion, since this is, after all, your therapy. As we work towards end treatment, sessions may decrease to once a month, or once every other month to do maintenance on changes you have made in therapy.

Is what I say in a therapy session confidential?

The short answer is in almost every situation, YES. Confidentiality is something that I take very seriously and I promise to protect whatever is said to me in our sessions vigorously.

There are a few exceptions when confidentiality does not apply which is important for you to be aware of before beginning therapy. As a therapist in the state of Washington, I am a state-mandated reporter. That means that if I hear about the abuse of a child, an elderly person, someone who is disabled, or any person who is unable to care for themselves, I am required to report it. Also, if you inform me of intent to harm yourself or someone else, I am required to take action to ensure your safety, as well as the safety of others. If you have further questions about confidentiality and exceptions to it, please do not hesitate to ask.

How long is each session?

Every session is 50 minutes long. Out of respect to other clients, I try to adhere to this rule generally.

How much is it per session? What type of payments do you accept? What about couples, groups?

Currently, each individual fifty-minute session is $75.00, which is due at the time of the session.
Group therapy sessions rates are $25.00 per participant.
All psycho-educational classes are a different fee depending on the class and the participants involved.
I accept cash, check (made out to Terrace Counseling) and most credit cards as payment methods for my services.

I can't afford to pay at those rates right now, but I still would like to see you. Do you have any sliding scale appointments?

I don't want to deny services to anyone based on level of income, especially not in our current economic climate. Chances are, if you have the need, we can work something out to fit both of our needs. Feel free to contact me to discuss your situation.

If I see you, can you bill my insurance?

My services can be billed to many insurance policies as an Out-of-Network Provider. If your insurance accepts Out-of-Network Providers, I would be happy to furnish you with an invoice so you can submit the bill for reimbursement from your insurance company. At this time, I do not accept other insurance arrangements.

How long can I expect to be in therapy?

The duration of your therapy depends on a few factors. How long do you feel that you need to be in therapy? On average, you can expect your therapy to last eight to twelve weeks, but each case is treated differently, and may require more or less therapy than another. We will discuss the duration of your therapy as we continue our sessions, checking in regularly to see how you feel you are progressing.

If I go to therapy, does it mean there is something wrong with me?

NO! Therapy is actually very normal and is something that many people decide to participate in at some point in their lives. One in four people between the ages of 45-55 acknowledge having gone to counseling at some point during their lives. Indeed, choosing to pursue therapy and taking the first step towards demanding a change is an act of courage and strength. If nothing else, there is no harm in giving it a try and seeing if it will work for you

Any questions I missed? Email me and I will gladly answer them!