What
is therapy?
Therapy
is the process of talking with a person who is trained to help
you resolve issues of concern and acquire the skills to reach
your life goals. Therapy attempts to help you develop more awareness
of your interpersonal style and behavioral patterns, and then
actively design explicit strategies for making desired changes.
It is a process that can help you become more aware of choices
and options that can lead to more effective decision making
and more satisfying relationships with others. At the FSU Psychology
Clinic, we use empirically supported therapies. This means that
we use therapies that have been scientifically evaluated in
clinical trials and found to be helpful for the treatment of
certain disorders. Feel free to ask your therapist questions
about the therapy they are recommending for you.
Your
role in therapy:
Therapy
is a cooperative interaction between you and your therapist.
Both you and your therapist are responsible for an effective
treatment experience, and open communication between you and
your therapist is essential. Your active participation in the
therapy process can greatly facilitate reaching your goals.
Also, it is extremely important that you regularly attend scheduled
sessions. Successful psychotherapy requires greater participation
and cooperation from you than is true of treatment for most
physical problems. Your efforts play a crucial role in determining
how much benefit is received. Your active participation in therapy
usually requires the completion of “homework” between
the sessions. This homework might be written work, or it might
entail reading, or even doing certain activities. You will get
the most out of therapy and see the quickest results if you
complete the between-session work your therapist assigns to
you. If you have any questions or concerns about therapy goals
or procedures please talk with your therapist.
What
to Expect During Therapy:
After
you have completed an application for services, filled out the
screening measures, had a screening interview, completed the
Consent for Taping, Observation, and Research
Participation form, completed the MMPI (adults and adolescents),
and paid your application fee ($25 for individual clients, $35
for couples and families) your application is sent to the Assistant
Director of the clinic for assignment to a therapist. (For more
information about the application and screening process, please
see application process).
Clients
are generally assigned to a therapist within a few weeks, unless
there is a waiting list. If there is a waiting list, the Assistant
Director will call you periodically to tell you where you are
on the waiting list. If you are concerned about the status of
your assignment, you may also feel free to call the Assistant
Director yourself at (850) 644-3006 to inquire.
Once
you have been assigned to a therapist, your therapist will contact
you to schedule an initial appointment. During this initial
appointment, you will be interviewed for 1 ½ hours about
yourself and the reason(s) you have decided to seek our services
at this time. This is a very important interview. It establishes
a relationship between you and your therapist that will allow
you to feel more comfortable and at ease during therapy. It
also helps your therapist determine the factors that might be
contributing to the problems you are experiencing.
Some
people have concerns that they are embarrassed to tell others,
such as alcohol and substance use, physical abuse, marital problems,
etc. Do not be shy about providing "embarrassing"
information to your therapist. The more honest and open you
are, the easier it will be for your therapist to help you. While
the interview is being conducted, the therapist may take notes
during the conversation. In addition, it is our clinic policy
to videotape sessions.
Once
the interview is completed, your therapist will schedule your
next appointment date and time with you. She or he will also
tell you what you can expect to happen during future therapy
sessions. Typically, at the next session your therapist will
discuss your diagnoses with you, the results of the questionnaires
you completed when you applied for services, and present you
with a recommended plan for treatment. Therapy sessions after
the initial appointment are weekly, and about 50 minutes
in duration.
Common
Problems Treated:
The most common problems
for which our therapists provide treatment include the following:
|
Mood Disorders (e.g.,
depression)
Anxiety Disorders
Eating Disorders
Marital & Relationship
Problems
Family Problems
Social Skills Deficits
Personality Disorders
Substance Use Disorders
Lifestyle Issues &
Stress
Child Behavior Problems
Other Personal Problems
|
Missed
Appointments or Canceling a Session:
The FSU Psychology
Clinic requires 24 hour notice for all session cancellations.
There is a fee for missed appointments without 24 hours notice
to the therapist or clinic. Please see missed
appointments for more information.
Cost
of Therapy:
The FSU Psychology
Clinic works on a sliding fee scale based on your or your family’s
income. Hourly therapy rates range from $20-$60. For more
information on fees associated with therapy, please see fees
& insurance.
