Q & A

Is therapy right for me/us?

Important question! Honestly, only you can answer this. However, we will gladly offer you somethings to consider.

Like most things in life, therapy has risks and benefits. Therapy can be uncomfortable at times and may bring up unpleasant thoughts or experiences. The objective is to move through these together, and move towards healing and growth. Additionally, therapy can bring about changes in your thinking, feeling, behaviors, goals, and relationships- this can be an adjustment and it can also be a blessing.

Therapy can change your life for the better! Image having a person who cares about you, is there to support you each week, and is invested in your happiness. Imagine just feeling peace, having positive relationships, or even just being able to manage through difficulties that have held you back, hurt you, or kept you stagnant. Imagine really living your best life.

Therapy is beneficial for those who want to actively participate in the therapy process, have realistic expectations, and who are ready to take responsibility for going after the change they desire. We believe that change is occurring all the time, and people are often unhappy because the change they are experiencing differs from the changes they desire and expected. Therapy can help you stay focused on making the changes that empower you towards the outcomes you desire and so that you can make them a reality. If you are willing to commit to the therapy process (or willing to try therapy again), we are ready and committed to walking along side you on this journey.

When deciding if therapy is right for you, there are a couple of important things that you should understand DO NOT exclude you from accessing the benefits of therapy:

It DOES NOT matter how complicated or how minor you think your problems are.

It DOES NOT matter what you have done or how “bad” you think you or your situation is.

It DOES NOT matter how young or mature you are.

It DOES NOT matter what your social status is.

It DOES NOT matter what your income level is.

It DOES NOT matter what your race or ethnicity is.

It DOES NOT matter what your identity or orientation is.

It DOES NOT matter what your marital status is or is not.

It DOES NOT matter what your family composition is.

It DOES NOT matter if your significant other or family refuses to come to therapy with you.

It DOES NOT matter what your faith, spirituality, or religious affiliation is or is not.

It DOES NOT matter if you have tried therapy before and it did not work for you.

How do I/we choose a therapist?

We at Orenda Therapeutic Services, PLLC equate choosing a therapist to finding the right tour guide when vacationing in an unfamiliar place. An unfamiliar place can be scary if we feel lost, but having the right guide can make an unfamiliar place safe and memorable. Having a guide that is a great fit for your vacation needs can assist you in determining where you want to go, offer knowledge of and insights into an area or events, and can enhance your experience by tailoring the journey to your needs. Similarly, we believe finding a therapist that is the right fit for you can enhance your life journey through those unfamiliar places by guiding you through the healing process. The right therapist can even help you enjoy experiences you once thought were ruined for good.

The therapist you choose should create a safe environment in which you can explore, should walk alongside you in the therapy room, and should recognize your desires, needs, and unique life experiences, languages, and context. We believe the connection you make with your therapist is one of the most important aspects of the therapy process. Research consistently validates this belief by demonstrating that the therapeutic relationship is a key factor to a positive therapy outcome.

As you move forward in your search for a therapist:

Ask questions. Do they deflect your questions? Do they satisfactorily answer your questions?

Pay attention to how you feel when talking to them. Do you feel heard? Do you feel comfortable? Do they validate your concerns and experiences? Can they structure the therapy process to meet your needs? Are they receptive to your communication of those needs? How you feel provides you with important feedback on your experience. Just remember, feeling is only one feedback source and adequate time should be given to confirm your feelings and impressions.

“Test drive” a potential therapist. The first few sessions should be about getting to know each other and seeing if you are a good fit together. You definitely want to give time to develop the therapeutic relationship, however, you should be able to feel more comfortable with the therapist after a few sessions. It is a relationship, and over time it can become deeper and richer. However, if you don’t feel it is working for you, try a new therapist rather than stopping your therapy journey.

Do you take my insurance?

We at Orenda Therapeutic Services, PLLC do not accept insurance. Please ask us why as we would be happy to discuss this with you further! We do offer client-centered care. We encourage you to way your needs and options carefully to determine if accessing therapy services with or without using insurance benefits is right for you. You are in control of your health. If you find that you would like to access services through your insurance benefits, we would be happy to provide you with a few referrals for therapists in your community whom take your insurance. If you determine you would like to proceed with therapy services without accessing insurance benefits, please see our services page for a quick outline of our services and costs.

Do you offer a sliding scale?

We at Orenda Therapeutic Services, PLLC will not evaluate your income to determine if you should be granted a sliding scale fee as we believe this is your private information, and you can choose which therapy option best suits your finances and needs.

We offer affordable rates and session lengths to address financial barriers. We at Orenda Therapeutic Services, PLLC truly believe in the benefits of therapy when everyone involved is committed to the process. We hope that our affordable rates demonstrates our level of commitment to your healing.

What can I/we expect in therapy?

There are a lot of unknowns in therapy, however, you can count on therapists at Orenda Therapeutic Services, PLLC to be empathetic, genuine, honest, and accepting. There are a few other “knowns” you can expect in therapy with us.

During the first session we will go over each of our rights and responsibilities, the informed consents, policies, and we will be gathering information to help in the tailoring of your treatment.

Additionally, the first few sessions are about getting to know each other, building our therapeutic relationship, and understanding your unique context, concerns, expectations, and what brought you to therapy. This understanding, and our conceptualization of your situation assists in the development of your treatment plan; your treatment will be tailored to you.

You can expect that we will be present and focused on you when we are in session together.

You can count on your satisfaction with the therapy process being tied to your willingness to attend sessions on time and as scheduled, and to your level of participation in the therapy process.

You can also expect that there will be sessions that may be overwhelming, upsetting, frustrating, and may even trigger painful memories and angry feelings. However, in these moments you can count on having your feelings and experiences validated, and that you will not be alone.

How do I/we schedule an appointment?

We at Orenda Therapeutic Services, PLLC appreciate your taking the time to get to know us a little better. Choosing a therapist can be confusing, but we encourage you to find the therapist that you feel most comfortable with. We truly believe that this will make your experience in therapy its most effective.

If you are interested in seeing if we are the right therapist for you, please click on any of the Request Appointment links to self-schedule a free 15-minute consultation, to self-schedule your first appointment, or contact us by email [email protected] or phone (702) 721-8434. We look forward to the amazing healing work we will do together.