Questions About Our Services:
How do i know if i should start seeing a therapist?
Thankfully, asking for professional help is common for people of all backgrounds and ages. While personal reasons for seeing a therapist vary widely, here are some common signs that it might be time for you to seek therapy:
You feel sad, angry, or otherwise “not yourself”: You may be sleeping differently, withdrawing from family or friends, or feeling “off” from your normal self for longer than you would like. You may struggle with self worth, confidence, or self-esteem. You may have questioned if life is worth living, or if anybody really likes you.
You feel overly stressed, anxious, or worried about a variety of things: You may struggle to turn your mind “off”, get quality sleep, or struggle to concentrate on certain things. You might notice this at work, school, or just daily life. You also may experience physical symptoms like your heart pounding, chest tightness, changes in breathing, or sweaty palms.
You are abusing alcohol, drugs, food or sex in order to cope: If you are turning to these things in order to help you feel better, this is a sure sign you may need to get help finding healthy coping skills for whatever you are struggling with. If you are unable to stop these behaviors despite negative consequences, you may be struggling with an addictive or compulsive behavior.
You have lost someone or something important to you: Grief can be a long and difficult process to endure without the support of an expert. While not everyone needs counseling during these times, there is no shame in needing a little help to get through the loss of a loved one, a divorce or significant breakup, or the loss of a job, especially if you’ve experienced multiple losses in a short period of time.
Something traumatic has happened: If you have a history of abuse, neglect or other trauma that you haven’t fully dealt with, or if you find yourself the victim of a crime or accident, chronic illness or some other traumatic event, the earlier you talk to someone, the faster you can learn healthy ways to cope.
You can’t do the things you like to do: Have you stopped doing the activities you ordinarily enjoy? If so, why? Many people find that painful emotions and experiences keep them from getting out, having fun and meeting new people. This is a red flag that something is amiss in your life.
You may be facing phase of life or identity challenges: You may be thinking about making big changes in your life, from identity development, to gender transition. This can be a confusing time for many people, and therapy can help you work through your emotions, build confidence, and find the support you need to live your best life.
You feel sad, angry, or otherwise “not yourself”: You may be sleeping differently, withdrawing from family or friends, or feeling “off” from your normal self for longer than you would like. You may struggle with self worth, confidence, or self-esteem. You may have questioned if life is worth living, or if anybody really likes you.
You feel overly stressed, anxious, or worried about a variety of things: You may struggle to turn your mind “off”, get quality sleep, or struggle to concentrate on certain things. You might notice this at work, school, or just daily life. You also may experience physical symptoms like your heart pounding, chest tightness, changes in breathing, or sweaty palms.
You are abusing alcohol, drugs, food or sex in order to cope: If you are turning to these things in order to help you feel better, this is a sure sign you may need to get help finding healthy coping skills for whatever you are struggling with. If you are unable to stop these behaviors despite negative consequences, you may be struggling with an addictive or compulsive behavior.
You have lost someone or something important to you: Grief can be a long and difficult process to endure without the support of an expert. While not everyone needs counseling during these times, there is no shame in needing a little help to get through the loss of a loved one, a divorce or significant breakup, or the loss of a job, especially if you’ve experienced multiple losses in a short period of time.
Something traumatic has happened: If you have a history of abuse, neglect or other trauma that you haven’t fully dealt with, or if you find yourself the victim of a crime or accident, chronic illness or some other traumatic event, the earlier you talk to someone, the faster you can learn healthy ways to cope.
You can’t do the things you like to do: Have you stopped doing the activities you ordinarily enjoy? If so, why? Many people find that painful emotions and experiences keep them from getting out, having fun and meeting new people. This is a red flag that something is amiss in your life.
You may be facing phase of life or identity challenges: You may be thinking about making big changes in your life, from identity development, to gender transition. This can be a confusing time for many people, and therapy can help you work through your emotions, build confidence, and find the support you need to live your best life.
how can therapy help me?
Your therapist will work with you to identify your personal goals for counseling and then tailor counseling to you and your goals. You can expect that your therapist will listen closely to understand your experience and then find ways to assist you in moving towards your goals. Therapy is a personalized experience, so how it helps differs from person to person. It will often involve things such as getting a different perspective on your experiences, exploring and discovering things about yourself, making changes in unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaving, processing difficult experiences, and learning healthy coping tools.
I’ve never been in counseling before. What is it like? What should I expect?
What to expect exactly will vary depending on what you are seeking counseling for. We know that going to counseling for the first time may be a little nerve-racking, so we will do our best to make you feel welcomed and comfortable. The first session typically involves getting to know you and asking questions to assess what is problematic in your life. From there, your therapist can establish a “game plan” for counseling. Usually, sessions are 45-60 minutes. Some people go to counseling every week, and some go less frequently. Some people are in counseling for a few months, and others for a longer amount of time. It all depends on what you need in order to help you get to where you want to be. Remember, you can always ask your therapist any questions about this.
What kinds of problems do people go to counseling for?
People go to counseling for many reasons – too many to list here! Here are some of the more common issues: Depression, anxiety, relationships issues, social isolation/shyness, lack of confidence or self worth, life transition changes, trouble managing stress, work related problems, finding motivation, eating disorders/body image issues, academic challenges, sports or performance issues, processing traumatic events, sleep problems, behavioral problems, substance abuse, women’s issues, grief, bipolar disorder, and more. No matter what you are facing, if you feel it is problematic, that is reason to start seeing a counselor.
I feel embarrassed about seeing a counselor. How can I overcome this?
You are doing the right thing for yourself by thinking about seeing a counselor. People from all walks of life go to counseling. Seeing a therapist does not mean you are weak or are unable to solve your own problems. While there may still be a bit of a stigma associated with mental health treatment, this is getting less and less each day, and people who choose to see a therapist typically sense overwhelming support from friends or family that are aware. More and more research shows positive outcomes or benefits of seeing a therapist. Luckily, our societal conversation and perception is changing and more and more people are reaching out for help. Please do not be embarrassed to talk to a therapist. There is nothing to be ashamed of. You’d consider a personal fitness trainer if you needed help getting your body in shape for a marathon. You would not feel embarrassed to hire a trainer for your body. Think of a therapist as a personal trainer for the mind. There really is no difference. They are both smart decisions.
How do I know if I am depressed?
Sadness and depression can feel similar, but remember that sadness is a part of life. If you’re sad because you lost your job, are going through a breakup, or lost someone in your life, it’s ok to feel sad about these things and it doesn’t mean you have depression.
Here are some signs that you might have "clinical depression”:
1) If you're feeling sad and its starts with grief or some life change, but things don't seem to get better even though you tried to work through it, sometimes these life circumstances can trigger clinical depression.
2) If you don't know where your depression comes from, but it feels overwhelming and uncontrollable, it could be clinical depression. For people who don't really know where depression comes from, this feeling might be a sign that depression is genetic and you might have others in your family who also struggle with depression. If you can, try to find out if anybody in your family has suffered from depression.
3) If it lasts longer than it should and starts to affect your daily life. Clinical depression doesn't just come and go over a few days. You have to experience it for at least a couple of weeks, and you will notice it getting in the way of things such as work, social life, schooling, or your family life.
People who have "clinical depression" often feel overwhelming sadness, numbness, irritation, loneliness, trouble thinking, and trouble sleeping. If you are unsure if you are depressed, go see a therapist.
Here are some signs that you might have "clinical depression”:
1) If you're feeling sad and its starts with grief or some life change, but things don't seem to get better even though you tried to work through it, sometimes these life circumstances can trigger clinical depression.
2) If you don't know where your depression comes from, but it feels overwhelming and uncontrollable, it could be clinical depression. For people who don't really know where depression comes from, this feeling might be a sign that depression is genetic and you might have others in your family who also struggle with depression. If you can, try to find out if anybody in your family has suffered from depression.
3) If it lasts longer than it should and starts to affect your daily life. Clinical depression doesn't just come and go over a few days. You have to experience it for at least a couple of weeks, and you will notice it getting in the way of things such as work, social life, schooling, or your family life.
People who have "clinical depression" often feel overwhelming sadness, numbness, irritation, loneliness, trouble thinking, and trouble sleeping. If you are unsure if you are depressed, go see a therapist.
I think work is a problem (stress, coworker problems, etc.).
Can a counselor help with this kind of problem?
Can a counselor help with this kind of problem?
Yes! People seek counseling to work through work-related problems all the time. You spend a large portion of your life at work, and a lot of time with your coworkers. It may be worth it to address work issues with a therapist so you can work your best and enjoy your work relationships.
How long does a counseling session last?
Most sessions are between 45 and 60 minutes.
What are some feelings I can expect in counseling? Will I be uncomfortable?
You may experience a variety of feelings. Remember that it is normal to feel a little uncomfortable talking about difficult or personal things. Also remember that feeling uncomfortable can mean you are challenging yourself in a healthy way to make the changes you need or to grow. Most clients report that although they may experience some discomfort, they also experience many positive emotions and even have fun going to counseling.
Will I need medication to help me?
Whether or not you may need medication depends on a variety of factors, including severity and duration of your symptoms, the nature of your presenting issues, and whether or not traditional counseling leads to improvements (over time!). Your therapist can help you figure this out. There is nothing wrong with taking medication to help with your mental health, in fact it is very common and many people have experienced great results with the right medication.
How does confidentiality work?
A very important part of the counseling process is protecting a client’s confidentiality. Some people are very open with seeing a therapist, while others prefer to keep this to themselves. Regardless of a client’s preference, all licensed therapists are ethically and legally bound by terms of confidentiality. Going to counseling means having a safe space to work through whatever a client’s specific concerns are. Maintaining confidentiality is also important in building a quality and professional client-therapist relationship. Your therapist will work very hard to guarantee your confidentiality and only share information when you give permission to do so. It is important to remember that confidentiality may be different if you are a minor, and your therapist will explain these limits.
At times, your therapist may have to break confidentiality. Some examples of these times may be if you reveal plans to harm yourself or others, if you reveal you have witnessed child or elder abuse, or if court ordered. Other times may be necessary dependent on state laws.
At times, your therapist may have to break confidentiality. Some examples of these times may be if you reveal plans to harm yourself or others, if you reveal you have witnessed child or elder abuse, or if court ordered. Other times may be necessary dependent on state laws.
How long will I need to be in counseling/how often will I need to go to counseling?
This all depends, and your therapist will help you figure this out. Some people go to counseling every week, and some go less frequently. Some people are in counseling for a few months, and others for a longer amount of time. It all depends on what you need in order to help you get to where you want to be. Remember, you can always ask your therapist any questions about this.
How do I know when I am done with counseling?
Give therapy a chance. Consider the first couple of months as a trial period. It usually takes at least that long to experience progress, depending on your problems and issues. Progress is usually inhibited by changing from one counselor to another frequently. In considering when to discontinue treatment, ask yourself whether the problems that caused you to seek counseling have been resolved and whether any additional problems or issues have come to your attention that you may wish to resolve. Also consider the advice of your counselor. A frank discussion of the advisability of terminating treatment is usually useful. Remember that no decision about counseling or psychotherapy is irrevocable. While you may seek advice from others, decisions to begin and end treatment and the choice of counselor are yours alone.
What are some of the different kinds of mental health treatment?
There are many different types of treatments or approaches that therapists use in counseling. Your therapist will work hard to get to know you and what exactly you are dealing with in order to help find the right treatment method and tailor it to fit your needs. When it comes to finding what works best for you, there is no one-size-fits all and it may take a few sessions in order to determine what approaches may work best for you. Some common therapeutic approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), mindfulness and holistic approaches, solution-focused/goal-oriented approaches, interpersonal approaches, and person-centered approaches. Counseling also provides a space to experience the cathartic and healing process of talking about and through your problems.
How much does therapy cost?
The cost of therapy can vary widely, depending on therapist fees or if you are able to use your health insurance to cover services. When you schedule your first appointment, your therapist can help you figure this out. In addition, you can call your insurance carrier to ask about your mental health coverage.
Can I use my insurance to pay for counseling?
In most cases, your health insurance can be utilized to pay for counseling, if your policy covers mental/behavioral health. Make sure to call your insurance company to find out what your policy covers, as well as how your deductible and copayments work. Your therapist can also help explain to you instances in which your health insurance may or may not cover services.
For an example of how mental health may be covered through Blue Cross Blue Shield, visit http://www.nebraskablue.com and click on "Member Services".
For an example of how mental health may be covered through Blue Cross Blue Shield, visit http://www.nebraskablue.com and click on "Member Services".
If I am seeing a counselor, does that mean I have a mental illness?
No, but it is important to be aware of what may mean you have a mental illness vs. many of the other reasons people see a counselor. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness:
What does it meant to have a mental illness?
Mental illnesses are health conditions that disrupt a person’s thoughts, emotions, relationships, and daily functioning. They are associated with distress and diminished capacity to engage in the ordinary activities of daily life.
Mental illnesses fall along a continuum of severity: some are fairly mild and only interfere with some aspects of life, such as certain phobias. On the other end of the spectrum lie serious mental illnesses, which result in major functional impairment and interference with daily life. These include such disorders as major depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder and may require that the person receive care in a hospital.
It is important to know that mental illnesses are medical conditions that have nothing to do with a person’s character, intelligence, or willpower. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illness is a medical condition due to the brain’s biology.
Similarly to how one would treat diabetes with medication and insulin, mental illness is treatable with a combination of medication and social support. These treatments are highly effective, with 70-90 percent of individuals receiving treatment experiencing a reduction in symptoms and an improved quality of life. With the proper treatment, it is very possible for a person with mental illness to be independent and successful.
What are some of the warning signs of a mental illness?
Symptoms of mental health disorders vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. The following is a list of general symptoms that may suggest a mental health disorder, particularly when multiple symptoms are expressed at once.
In adults:
What causes mental illness?
Although the exact source of mental illness is not known, research points to a mix of genetic, biological, psychosocial, and environmental factors as being the root of most conditions.
Since this combination of causes is complex, there is no sure way to prevent mental illness. However, you can reduce your risk by practicing self-care, seeking help when you need it, and paying attention to early warning signs.
What does it meant to have a mental illness?
Mental illnesses are health conditions that disrupt a person’s thoughts, emotions, relationships, and daily functioning. They are associated with distress and diminished capacity to engage in the ordinary activities of daily life.
Mental illnesses fall along a continuum of severity: some are fairly mild and only interfere with some aspects of life, such as certain phobias. On the other end of the spectrum lie serious mental illnesses, which result in major functional impairment and interference with daily life. These include such disorders as major depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder and may require that the person receive care in a hospital.
It is important to know that mental illnesses are medical conditions that have nothing to do with a person’s character, intelligence, or willpower. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illness is a medical condition due to the brain’s biology.
Similarly to how one would treat diabetes with medication and insulin, mental illness is treatable with a combination of medication and social support. These treatments are highly effective, with 70-90 percent of individuals receiving treatment experiencing a reduction in symptoms and an improved quality of life. With the proper treatment, it is very possible for a person with mental illness to be independent and successful.
What are some of the warning signs of a mental illness?
Symptoms of mental health disorders vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. The following is a list of general symptoms that may suggest a mental health disorder, particularly when multiple symptoms are expressed at once.
In adults:
- Confused thinking
- Long-lasting sadness or irritability
- Extreme highs and lows in mood
- Excessive fear, worrying, or anxiety
- Social withdrawal
- Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits
- Strong feelings of anger
- Delusions or hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not really there)
- Increasing inability to cope with daily problems and activities
- Thoughts of suicide
- Denial of obvious problems
- Many unexplained physical problems
- Abuse of drugs and/or alcohol
- Abuse of drugs and/or alcohol
- Inability to cope with daily problems and activities
- Changes in sleeping and/or eating habits
- Excessive complaints of physical problems
- Defying authority, skipping school, stealing, or damaging property
- Intense fear of gaining weight
- Long-lasting negative mood, often along with poor appetite and thoughts of death
- Frequent outbursts of anger
- Changes in school performance
- Poor grades despite strong efforts
- Excessive worrying or anxiety
- Hyperactivity
- Persistent nightmares
- Persistent disobedience and/or aggressive behavior
- Frequent temper tantrums
What causes mental illness?
Although the exact source of mental illness is not known, research points to a mix of genetic, biological, psychosocial, and environmental factors as being the root of most conditions.
Since this combination of causes is complex, there is no sure way to prevent mental illness. However, you can reduce your risk by practicing self-care, seeking help when you need it, and paying attention to early warning signs.
HOW IS THERAPY DIFFERENT THAN TALKING TO MY FRIENDS?
Talking with friends is a great way to get support, but it’s not the same as talking to a counselor. Counselors are professionals with specialized training in helping people who are encountering difficulties in their lives. They can also provide an “outside”, objective perspective that is different than what your friends can provide. Also, sometimes people worry that if they talk with their friends about their problems that they will be a downer or that their friends will treat them differently. Since a counselor is a professional whose job it is to help you, hopefully you will feel more comfortable being open about your problems, which will make it easier to get effective help.
WHAT is telehealth? Do you offer this service?
Yes! Practitioners at Mind Matters offer services via telehealth.
Recently, the state of Nebraska has made great strides in realizing telehealth services (or, online counseling) are necessary for those who may not be able to access quality local healthcare or may need certain services that are not available where they are. Telehealth counseling sessions are provided via a secure, online platform that uses video conferencing technology (kind of like FaceTime or Skype - but secure!) and are otherwise structured just like in-person counseling services. Telehealth is completely legal and confidential, and only licensed professionals can provide services.
Telehealth services can come in handy in a variety of circumstances: if you live too far away to come to appointments in person, if you are sick, if you are recovering from surgery, if your kids are home from school, if the roads are icy..... just to name a few! What a great way to avoid having to cancel your appointment!
Recently, the state of Nebraska has made great strides in realizing telehealth services (or, online counseling) are necessary for those who may not be able to access quality local healthcare or may need certain services that are not available where they are. Telehealth counseling sessions are provided via a secure, online platform that uses video conferencing technology (kind of like FaceTime or Skype - but secure!) and are otherwise structured just like in-person counseling services. Telehealth is completely legal and confidential, and only licensed professionals can provide services.
Telehealth services can come in handy in a variety of circumstances: if you live too far away to come to appointments in person, if you are sick, if you are recovering from surgery, if your kids are home from school, if the roads are icy..... just to name a few! What a great way to avoid having to cancel your appointment!