Contact CounselorBarb: Confidential voice or text: (813) 404-9215 Email: counselorbarb@earthlink.net Messages returned within 24 hours. No solicitors, please. FAQQ. What are the benefits of counseling?A: Counseling sets the stage for the individual, couple or family to process and explore what is troubling them, gain insight, and discover new ways to cope. Q. Isn't "counseling" just like having a friend listen to you?A: In some ways, yes, because counselors are trained listeners. But they are also interpreting what you are saying, looking for possible alternate meaning, other issues or connections between your life experiences that you aren't making on your own. Because they are objective and experienced in different types of human emotional difficulty, they can lead a client to insight and guide them through positive changes.Q. What is the difference between individual and couples counseling?A: It's all about where the origin of the problem is perceived to be. Individual counseling addresses concerns at the individual level. Although other family members (such as the spouse or significant other) can be brought in, the focus is on the individual and how they are coping with their lives. In couples counseling, issues are addressed with the couple to explore how each can contribute to the solution. Q. Can I get individual and couples counseling at the same time?A. In couples counseling the counselor's client is the relationship. Therefore it is very important for the counselor to remain impartial, because the perception of imbalance can cause the slighted spouse to lose trust in the counselor and the counseling relationship. So, once couples counseling has begun the only way I would start seeing either of the partners on an individual basis is if we all agreed to terminate couple's counseling. If you are unsure of what you need, please give me a call. Usually I suggest that you come in together, and we figure out where to go from there.Q. Why do you need 24 hours notice for cancellations? Shouldn't a few hours be enough?A. When you make an appointment with me I reserve that time slot for you, which prohibits me from placing another client there. If you break an appointment with little notice, it does not give me enough time to try to fill that time slot and I have lost the opportunity to help someone else. Q. Is an hour really an hour?A: No, my hours are 50 minutes long. This is to allow me to record the key results from our counseling session. Not only is this required by the state, but it helps to keep continuity between sessions and track progress. Q. Do you dispense drugs?A: No, only a psychiatrist or medical doctor can dispense psychotropic drugs such as antidepressants. I provide the talk therapy that works in conjunction with those drugs for an improved result. Q. What is a "Registered Marriage and Family Therapy Intern?"A: A Registered Marriage and Family Therapy Intern is someone who has completed all graduate level coursework required for licensure as a marriage and family therapist (LMFT). This registration comes from the state, who verifies that these educational and clinical requirements have been met. The intern must then complete enough hours seeing clients under supervision before becoming eligible for licensure.Q: Is there a state website in which I can verify a therapist's qualifications?A: Yes, visit the state of Florida's Department of Health website, where you can perform a license verification.Q. Will I have to tell you private details of my life? A: I will never ask you to reveal things you are uncomfortable sharing.Q. How long will counseling take? How do I know I'm done?A: It varies with the person and depends on what your goals are; usually anywhere from 4 - 20 sessions. Together, we will discuss your progress during the course of therapy to see if it is meeting your needs.Q. What are the fees?A: I charge $80 per individual session and $90 per couples session. Q. Why don't you have a sliding scale?A: The ACA (American Counseling Association) has recently determined that sliding scales are unethical because they are discriminatory. Q. Will my visit be confidential?A: My office location is a converted home just off the Sligh exit on I275. Although there is a common waiting room, your presence is confidential. Furthermore, with a few legal exceptions that will be explained to you, any information that you give to me will also be confidential.Q. What is the quickest way to contact you?A: Call my cell phone at (813) 404-9215.Q. How long does it take to get an appointment?A: Generally I can get you in within a week, and possibly even just a few days. Please enable JavaScript to view this page content properly.
Contact CounselorBarb:
Confidential voice or text: (813) 404-9215
Email: counselorbarb@earthlink.net
Messages returned within 24 hours. No solicitors, please.
FAQ
A: The ACA (American Counseling Association) has recently determined that sliding scales are unethical because they are discriminatory.