GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE
It can often be difficult to predict the length of time of therapy. I will, however, be able to discuss this after the assessment and as therapy progresses. In research settings, many issues can be improved in short-term therapy. This is defined as an average of 10-12 sessions for individual adults, and 20 sessions for couples. For adolescents and families, this is defined as an average of 20 sessions if there are behavioral problems present, or 10-12 sessions without behavioral problems present. Some factors that lead to the length of therapy are the level of motivation, the number of issues, trauma, how chronic the problem has been, how much work has been done on the issues, etc. The rate your therapist is charging is $180 per 50 min session and you can find more information on rates in the professional fees section.
A helpful way to think about the process of therapy is in the form of phases. In the first phase, you and your therapist are assessing and developing a plan. In the second phase, you are creating “first order change” or “symptom reduction” and creating quick improvement in functioning. In the third phase, you are working towards “second order change” or “systemic change” that allows for the new skills, behaviors, and emotional changes to become internalized and integrated, so as to not relapse once the therapy has ended. Then, your fourth phase is the maintenance stage, where the person is maintaining their gains over a period of time despite environmental factors. Finally, the fifth phase is where you and your therapist discuss a plan for relapse prevention. This process can be accomplished in just a few sessions or may sometimes take longer (some years). It is important to note that the therapy we provide is goal directed and results oriented. Whenever possible, we aim to improve functioning quickly and sustain that positive change in the most effective, efficient, and economical way.
Of utmost importance, a good working relationship between the therapist and their client has been shown to be highly correlated with success in treatment. To ensure that you and your therapist have a good working relationship, they will ask you for feedback regarding how you feel about the work you are doing and if you feel that you are going in the right direction for your treatment. Feedback is very important in collaboratively developing a treatment plan and setting goals for therapy. Your therapist will encourage feedback and will hope that they can make you feel comfortable enough to discuss your feelings about your work together.
If at any time, you feel that your work is not progressing with your therapist or feel like it is not a good match, you are welcome to talk about it with your therapist and ask for a new therapist within Bay Area Community Counseling (BACC), call BACC for a new therapist, and/or receive a referral outside of BACC. Our goal is to help you achieve your goals, which may be with the therapist you start with, another therapist in our practice, or a therapist outside of the group.
A helpful way to think about the process of therapy is in the form of phases. In the first phase, you and your therapist are assessing and developing a plan. In the second phase, you are creating “first order change” or “symptom reduction” and creating quick improvement in functioning. In the third phase, you are working towards “second order change” or “systemic change” that allows for the new skills, behaviors, and emotional changes to become internalized and integrated, so as to not relapse once the therapy has ended. Then, your fourth phase is the maintenance stage, where the person is maintaining their gains over a period of time despite environmental factors. Finally, the fifth phase is where you and your therapist discuss a plan for relapse prevention. This process can be accomplished in just a few sessions or may sometimes take longer (some years). It is important to note that the therapy we provide is goal directed and results oriented. Whenever possible, we aim to improve functioning quickly and sustain that positive change in the most effective, efficient, and economical way.
Of utmost importance, a good working relationship between the therapist and their client has been shown to be highly correlated with success in treatment. To ensure that you and your therapist have a good working relationship, they will ask you for feedback regarding how you feel about the work you are doing and if you feel that you are going in the right direction for your treatment. Feedback is very important in collaboratively developing a treatment plan and setting goals for therapy. Your therapist will encourage feedback and will hope that they can make you feel comfortable enough to discuss your feelings about your work together.
If at any time, you feel that your work is not progressing with your therapist or feel like it is not a good match, you are welcome to talk about it with your therapist and ask for a new therapist within Bay Area Community Counseling (BACC), call BACC for a new therapist, and/or receive a referral outside of BACC. Our goal is to help you achieve your goals, which may be with the therapist you start with, another therapist in our practice, or a therapist outside of the group.