How can counseling help me?
Why can't I just talk to my best friend?
Counseling provides you with an objective, trained person to assist you. But certainly go to your support system -- friends, family members, clergy -- and then, if you are needing more guidance, see a counselor or psychologist.

Are antidepressants addictive?
No. Tranquilizers and anti-anxiety medications like ativan, xanax, and valium are addictive. See your doctor, psychiatrist, or psychiatric nurse practitioner for specific information on your medication. You can also go to the "Links" section on our web site and access information on medications.

How long will I take antidepressants?
That would be a decision that you make with your psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner.

What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in the area of mental health and can prescribe medication. A psychiatrist first goes to medical school, then completes a residency in psychiatry. He/ she can be viewed as a specialist just as a cardiologist or neurologist is a specialist. A psychologist goes to graduate school and is trained in understanding human behavior. He/she learns how to help clients change their behavior to alleviate distress and live more fulfilling lives.

How long before counseling starts helping me feel better?
There is no magic wand or word or sentence involved in counseling. It's more a matter of the counselor getting to know you and then making suggestions and recommendations based on the information gathered. So with that in mind, we suggest anywhere from one or two to ten or twelve sessions before you start noticing a marked changed in whatever you are coming in to discuss.

Can counseling help me improve my sex life?
Generally speaking, feeling more positive about yourself can often lead to improvements in your sex life.

If my medication is helping me feel better, why do I need a counselor?
Generally speaking, the state of the art currently is using medication in concert with counseling. Medication can facilitate counseling so that you can make necessary changes quicker and ultimately discontinue medication if appropriate.

If I'm bringing in my child/adolescent for counseling, why does the counselor need to see me -- the parent?
Most family therapists find the information provided by the parent or parents to be invaluable in better treating the child or adolescent.

Why do you need parent's permission to see a child/adolescent in counseling?
By law, we need the parents permission to treat their child.

Do you really keep everything confidential?
We are governed by Federal Confidentiality laws which basically state that what we talk about is confidential unless the client signs a release of information or we receive a court order to release the record. There are some things which we cannot keep confidential such as concern that the client will harm himself/herself or someone else or physical or sexual abuse of a child or elder. Some managed care companies may require clinical information as a condition of coverage of the services provided.