Jamilla L. Herring, MS, M.Ed
National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)
407-434-1793
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
There’s no such thing as a bad question when it comes to mental health. Check out the answers to the FAQs below, and don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any additional questions.
HOW LONG DOES EACH THERAPY SESSION LAST?
Sessions are usually 50 minutes
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The standard rates are $65 for individuals and $110 for couples and families. In cases of financial hardship, a sliding scale may be applied. I do not believe that finances should hinder anyone from receiving the help they deserve.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING THE FIRST SESSION?
The goal during the first session is to get to know you and understand where you want to go. I use the first session to craft goals and create a road map for how to achieve those goals. This process may entail asking questions about your family, job, hobbies, and other pertinent details.
A session with one client may be entirely different from a session with another. I try to create a unique environment wherein you feel comfortable expressing what you are thinking and feeling. This environment may look different for each client. I also believe that I have to earn your trust. I work tirelessly to accomplish this from the first time we talk.
HOW DO I KNOW COUNSELING WILL WORK?
The most important factor in counseling working is the relationship you have with your therapist. In my experience, this outweighs every other factor. So, if in the first two or three sessions you are able to establish a comfortable relationship with your therapist this is an excellent indicator that therapy will work for you.
Further, therapy will be much more effective if you invest in the process (i.e. work outside of the sessions).
The eventual goal of therapy is to incorporate the changes you are experiencing during the sessions into your everyday life.
WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO THERAPY?
The most important qualities a therapist must possess are mutual respect, authenticity, ability to empathize, and unconditional positive regard for the client. Therefore, the therapeutic process is relationship-centered rather than theory/technique-centered; however, I utilize the principles of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Adlerian Theory, and Internal Family Systems Theory.
WILL OUR SESSIONS BE CONFIDENTIAL?
Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and therapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive topics that is usually not discussed anywhere but in the therapist’s office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent.” Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone (your physician or attorney), but by law, your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.
However, state law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
* Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
* If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.
DO YOU WRITE PRESCRIPTIONS?
No, I do not write prescriptions. If you want to consult someone regarding medication, I recommend making an appointment with your family doctor or a psychiatrist. The long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of the distress and the behavior patterns that curb progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach. Working with your medical doctor can help you determine what’s best for you, and in some cases, a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.
