Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know if I would benefit from counseling or therapy?
A: If you are struggling with emotional difficulties which you may not be able to resolve on your own, or if you are struggling with relational or family difficulties which seem to be headed in a negative direction.
Emotional difficulties I can help with:
Relational and family difficulties I can help with:
I can also help if you feel stuck in your emotional, spiritual, marital, or familial growth and need a "tune-up" or "jump start."
A: If you are struggling with emotional difficulties which you may not be able to resolve on your own, or if you are struggling with relational or family difficulties which seem to be headed in a negative direction.
Emotional difficulties I can help with:
- Overwhelming and prolonged sense of helplessness and sadness
- Problems that do not get better despite your efforts and help from family and friends
- Difficulty carrying out daily activities such as work and school, with an accompanying decline in performance
Relational and family difficulties I can help with:
- Excessive criticism and contempt in disagreements and arguments
- Inability to resolve important disagreements in your marriage
- Escalation from small disagreements to explosive fights with your friends, family and/or spouse
- Emotional distance and/or limited time with your friends, family and/or spouse
- Infrequent sex with your spouse
I can also help if you feel stuck in your emotional, spiritual, marital, or familial growth and need a "tune-up" or "jump start."
Q: What questions should I ask when looking for a therapist?
A: Some questions include
Q. How does counseling or therapy work?
A: Talk Therapy uses meaningful conversation in a safe context to facilitate learning, new ways of thinking, and to foster new, helpful life patterns. Counseling, or "Talk Therapy" could be thought of as simply having a meaningful or purposeful conversation. Although there are many theories as to why this has been demonstrated to be an effective way to facilitate change and resolve emotional and interpersonal difficulties, there are three goals of counseling that are especially key:
Q: What is Christian counseling?
A: Christian counseling with me involves the integration of Biblical values, truths, and principles with the theory, research, and techniques offered by the field of psychology. I strive to evaluate all psychological method in the light of scriptures. As a result, Christian counseling offers a unique approach to solving life difficulties by which spiritual growth and resolution of the difficulties are pursued.
A: Some questions include
- Are you state-licensed as a psychologist, professional counselor, or social worker?
- What type of education have you received and where did you receive it?
- How much experience have you had?
- Have you received special training for treating my area of concern?
- How much experience have you had in treating my area of concern?
- How do you integrate matters of faith and spirituality into your therapy?
Q. How does counseling or therapy work?
A: Talk Therapy uses meaningful conversation in a safe context to facilitate learning, new ways of thinking, and to foster new, helpful life patterns. Counseling, or "Talk Therapy" could be thought of as simply having a meaningful or purposeful conversation. Although there are many theories as to why this has been demonstrated to be an effective way to facilitate change and resolve emotional and interpersonal difficulties, there are three goals of counseling that are especially key:
- Providing an emotionally safe and accepting context in which you can more honestly and openly reflect on yourself, your circumstances, and Truth
- Facilitating new understanding of yourself, your circumstances, and your relationships with God and with others
- Offering a purposeful relational experience in which new ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving can be "tried on for size."
Q: What is Christian counseling?
A: Christian counseling with me involves the integration of Biblical values, truths, and principles with the theory, research, and techniques offered by the field of psychology. I strive to evaluate all psychological method in the light of scriptures. As a result, Christian counseling offers a unique approach to solving life difficulties by which spiritual growth and resolution of the difficulties are pursued.
Q: Do I have to be a Christian to seek therapy with Katie?
A: No. My services are available to anyone, regardless of their beliefs. I strive to respectfully meet people where they are in life and honor their beliefs while providing a quality professional service.
Q: Are my conversations with Katie confidential?
A: Yes, unless I am obligated by law to disclose information for the protection of you or other persons. Information shared in a professional counseling setting is considered privileged and confidential. I hold to the highest standards in regards to confidentiality according to the ethics, rules, and laws of the our professional governing bodies. I understand the sensitive nature of your situation and understand that sharing about your personal and family struggles is difficult; I desire for you to feel safe when sharing. According to the rules and laws governing mental health professionals in North Carolina, there are some instances in which I may be obligated to disclose information you share in order to protect you or other persons. In such a situation, I would be required to break confidence by filing a report or take protective actions should you disclose something to me that leads me to conclude that you are at imminent risk for harming yourself, another person, or if a child or elder has suffered physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.
Q: How many sessions will I need?
A: Research suggests that between 8 and 26 sessions are typically of maximum benefit. However, because each situation is different, it is difficult to predict how many sessions may be needed to help you reach your goals.
Q: How often will I meet with Katie?
A: Weekly sessions are recommended in most cases.
Q: What can I expect when I call and make an appointment?
A: Most likely Brittany, our friendly office administrator, will answer the phone. She will either go ahead and schedule an initial appointment with you or she will take down your number and I will call you back if you have questions before your first session.
A: No. My services are available to anyone, regardless of their beliefs. I strive to respectfully meet people where they are in life and honor their beliefs while providing a quality professional service.
Q: Are my conversations with Katie confidential?
A: Yes, unless I am obligated by law to disclose information for the protection of you or other persons. Information shared in a professional counseling setting is considered privileged and confidential. I hold to the highest standards in regards to confidentiality according to the ethics, rules, and laws of the our professional governing bodies. I understand the sensitive nature of your situation and understand that sharing about your personal and family struggles is difficult; I desire for you to feel safe when sharing. According to the rules and laws governing mental health professionals in North Carolina, there are some instances in which I may be obligated to disclose information you share in order to protect you or other persons. In such a situation, I would be required to break confidence by filing a report or take protective actions should you disclose something to me that leads me to conclude that you are at imminent risk for harming yourself, another person, or if a child or elder has suffered physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.
Q: How many sessions will I need?
A: Research suggests that between 8 and 26 sessions are typically of maximum benefit. However, because each situation is different, it is difficult to predict how many sessions may be needed to help you reach your goals.
Q: How often will I meet with Katie?
A: Weekly sessions are recommended in most cases.
Q: What can I expect when I call and make an appointment?
A: Most likely Brittany, our friendly office administrator, will answer the phone. She will either go ahead and schedule an initial appointment with you or she will take down your number and I will call you back if you have questions before your first session.