So who needs therapy anyhow? I’m not crazy!”:
Therapy is not just for people deemed “mentally ill” or who have been diagnosed with a disorder, although it is definitely for those individuals as well. Therapy is for anyone experiencing difficulties in their life, going through a transition (a breakup, death, divorce, job/career change, school change, a move, etc.), needing direction (parenting, relationship skills, etc.) or simply wanting help in making changes in their life (losing weight, gaining self-esteem, making career change, etc.)
We offer therapy to individuals, couples, and families, and work with both children and adults. We occasionally offer group therapy work with specific populations.
A systems based approach - "I'm not sure I want to be psychoanalyzed."
We work from a systems (or cybernetics) perspective. In its most simplified form, it assumes that all behavior makes sense given its context. It is assumed that behaviors are recursively reinforced with minimal emphasis on why things came to be the way they are, and instead focus in on how these behaviors are being maintained. We work from an approach heavily colored by MRI/Solution-Focused, maybe hyperlink these models Resource-Focused (Ericksonian influenced), as well Narrative/Constructivist/Post Modern therapeutic orientations. We approach problems from the perspective that even the smallest change can reverberate into successively larger ones, the attempted solutions are often the problems, and that clients possess the resources (in their families, communities, and experiences) needed to overcome the impasses that they come to in their relationships and in their lives.
Confidentiality - “How can I trust what I say is in private?”:
We understand that it is necessary to establish a relationship of trust between our clients and ourselves in order for our clients to feel comfortable sharing their most intimate life events and experiences. Approaching your first visit to therapy can be a nervous time, but we want to provide you with the utmost of reassurance as to the confidentiality of our conversations, as well as how seriously we consider the bond of trust that is formed in the therapeutic relationship between ourselves and the client.
We are required to abide by the professional practice standards for licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed professional counselors, and Louisiana state law. We do not disclose client confidences and information to any third party except for materials shared during supervision without a client’s written consent or waiver except when mandated or permitted by law. Verbal authorization will not be sufficient except in emergency situations. Material revealed in counseling will remain strictly confidential except for material shared with a supervisor (if the therapist is under intern-status with the state) and under the following circumstances in accordance with state law: 1) The client signs a written release of information indicating informed consent of such release, 2) The client expresses intent to harm him/herself or someone else, 3) There is a reasonable suspicion of abuse/neglect against a minor child, elderly person (65 or older), or a dependent adult, or 4) A subpoena or another court order is received directing the disclosure of information.
It is our policy to assert privileged communication on behalf of the client and the right to consult with the client if at all possible, except during an emergency, before mandated disclosure. We endeavor to apprise clients of all mandated disclosures as conceivable.
Further questions regarding privileged communication and your right to confidentiality can be answered upon your first appointment or telephone consultation. |
