FAQ – Center for Anxiety Relief and Education

Do I really need therapy

Finding solutions to areas listed on this site do not involve medication. Nor does it involve going to therapy forever. Believe it or not, for some of the life issues mentioned, it would help to talk to someone you can trust about these things. Sometimes all you need is a step in the right direction. Other times, all you need is a good strategy. The sad truth is that people are busy; yes, at times too busy to listen. This is why we are here to listen and help you with strategies that will direct you in the right path. We have access to proven tools that have helped other clients get well and stay well.

What can CARE do to help me

Negative thoughts can lead to negative feelings and this eventually leads to the undesirable behavior. Here at Center for Anxiety Relief and Education, PLLC we refer to this model as the Cycle of Destruction. For every issue, we apply that model and the first thing we tend to work on is your mindset. We believe a lot of our issues start there, so we train the client to tackle that by taking back control of their thoughts. Because every individual is unique, we work together with clients to choose the appropriate technique or approach that best suits their needs.

We are aware that because it took time build the behavior, it is expected to take time to break it. However that view does not apply when we encounter a client who is ready for change – depending on the extent of readiness. We have seen clients break free of years worth of habit in one day! Yes. Could this be you? We would like to think so and we will continue to be your greatest cheerleader. Our view is to see each visit as the last time the client may need therapy (having reached a favorable solution of course). As you put in your best work, you should expect each day to be your day of breakthrough. We never encourage clients to seek perfectionism because we do not believe this is possible for anyone. For this reason, we believe that it helps our clients to learn what others have gone through because it confirms for them that no one is perfect.

How long should counseling/therapy in general last

The length of therapy can vary from person to person in respect to how quickly they respond to treatment. Many factors can affect the length of treatment, such as: an individual’s dedication to treatment (homework, attendance, etc), the severity of the individual’s condition (mild, moderate, severe), the form of therapy applied, the skill of the therapist, compatibility between the therapist and the client; etc. Although we genuinely love to have you visit, we DON’T wish for you to remain here indefinitely. We intend to give you tools that will get you back on track as soon as possible. You are welcome to return for other issues or even in the rare case of a recurrent issue, but we would rather empower you to live your life wholly and help others do the same.

How long is a typical session

A typical counseling or psychotherapy session with me lasts anywhere from 50-60 minutes, although first sessions tend to run longer – about 90 minutes. In order to enjoy a full session on the first initial visit, we strongly urge you to download the intake form and complete it prior to your first appointment.

Are my sessions confidential

Therapy often involves sharing sensitive, personal and private information. Ethical guidelines require that all interactions, including content of our sessions, your records, scheduling of attendance at appointments, and personal progress notes are kept confidential. Counselors are bound by code of ethics to hold confidential anything that happens during sessions and no one can have access to any information without your signed consent. Exceptions to confidentiality include:

-A client poses a clear and imminent danger to themselves or to someone else
-A client requests release of information
-A court orders a release of information
-Clients raise the issue of their mental health in a law suit
-Emotional, physical or sexual abuse and neglect (actual or suspected) of a child

What should I expect on my first session

Come expecting change. We just want you to come expecting something better, and not wanting to remain in therapy for the rest of your life. Be ready to tell your therapist what stage of change you are in and what goals you would love to see accomplished. Our intention is to see you whole and live your fullest life so that you can be a light to others around you. So come expecting!

Your first session creates an opportunity for you to get to know your counselor. A good match is very critical. If you will be sharing intimate details about your personal struggles and challenges with this person, it is very important to be comfortable and eventually learn to trust your counselor. Trust your intuitions. We offer 15 minutes of free consultation to ensure if there is a fit on both ends. You can request to have your consultation in person or over the phone.

In order to enjoy a full session on the first initial visit, we strongly urge you to download the intake form and complete it prior to your first appointment.

How do I choose a counselor/therapist

It is important to have a good connection with your counselor or therapist. For some individuals, this connection may happen instantly while for others, it may take a couple of visits. You deserve all the attention in the room and should not feel intimidated or judged by your counselor. Here are some questions to ask yourself: Can I trust my vulnerabilities, guilt and shame to this person? According to the theorist, Carl Rogers, the counselor must express three core conditions that should be perceived by the client in order to build a rapport: Genuineness: The counselor is fully present and interested in the client’s well-being. Unconditional Positive Regard: The counselor embodies total acceptance of the client’s individuality, respecting and accepting of the client regardless of how the client sees a given situation. Empathetic Understanding: The counselor has the ability to relate to the client’s situation as if it were the counselor’s very own experience. Now you have an idea what to look for, pay attention and trust your intuitions not your fears.

How do I locate your office

We are located at 1013 Bullard Court, Suite 102, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27615.

From I-540E

From exit 14, take ramp right and Follow signs for Falls of Neuse Road

Turn left on Bullard Court (opposite Winstons Grille)

Do you accept insurance

Yes. We accept insurance from the following providers:

Aetna
Cigna
BCBS
Humana

Do you provide phone sessions

Yes. We provide phone sessions and coaching over the phone. However we only do this with clients we have already seen in person. As with face to face sessions, appointments are required for telephone sessions.

How do I join a group

We currently run two groups. One, Find Purpose is an open group. While the other, Lose Anxiety is a closed group. You may join an open group at any time. However, due to the sensitive nature of a closed group, once a closed group commences, no new members will be allowed in. Interested individuals may enroll with next group when next enrollment begins.

Enrollment:

You may use the form in the contact us section or you may call or email us to sign up.
We conduct phone interviews for ALL prospective group members prior to joining to determine group fit.

Schedules:

Our open groups are continuous – therefore, it is common to see a new member join the group at any given time, year-round.
Our closed groups on the other hand, are limited to 3 months. A new closed group begins every 3 months and past members are welcome to re-enroll if they desire. See schedule for closed groups below

2017 Schedule (Quarterly) for Lose Anxiety Group

Jan-March
April-June
July 1 – Sep 30, 2017 (Now accepting new enrollments)
Oct-Dec

Meeting Address:

3125 Poplarwood Court, Suite 108/Conference Room 1, Raleigh, NC 27604

Phone:

919-926-0694

Group Details

Lose Anxiety

Treatment Orientation: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Eclectic Therapy
Fees: $50.00 for 1-2 hour group session (depending on group size)
Meeting times: Every Saturday from 3 pm – 5 pm
Insurance: Yes (call for verification)

Find Purpose

Treatment Orientation: Christian Counseling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Eclectic Therapy
Fees: $50.00 for 1-2 hour group session (depending on group size)
Meeting times: Every other Saturday from 1 pm – 3 pm
Insurance: Yes (call for verification)

Notice: Although new members may join at any time during an open group, admission is subject to individual group fit and space availability. Walk-ins are not permitted – therefore new open group members must call in first. Once the group max is reached, new members will be placed on the next group list. Individuals are added on a first come first serve order.

I am interested in therapy/counseling – What do I do next

Sessions are conducted on an appointment basis. You may contact us via phone or email to make your request known and you will be contacted as soon as possible for the next available opportunity to see a therapist. Please allow for 24 (weekday) hours for a callback. Appointments are typically scheduled on a need-to basis or on a weekly basis; depending on your unique situation and need. You are not required to schedule a set number of appointments.

Can I get some coping tips for my anxiety

At CARE, we encourage clients to embrace their unique self, as they work on strategies to let go of destructive behaviors, and cope with issues beyond their control.

We do not offer coping mechanisms for anxiety because we do not believe that anxiety is an issue that is beyond your control. Our approach is to help you locate the problem at its root, and either destroy it or render it powerless over your life.

Can I get rid of Anxiety without prescription medication

YES! We often prefer clients referred before they are prescribed any medication. Although we never discourage anyone from taking their prescriptions, we believe that medication can at times mask the main issues that need to be dealt with. We view such masks as a coping mechanisms and it is hard to get to the root of a matter if the symptoms are being repressed. Clients who have been prescribed medication must continue their doses as prescribed by their physicians. Any desire to change regimen must be discussed by their treating physician.

Although some clients may not be on medication, some of the programs we offer (such as MAP IV) require their utmost cooperation, therefore clients are encouraged to treat their therapy as they would medication. We suggest not beginning such programs unless you are truly ready.

Do you treat children

We hope to treat children suffering from anxiety related disorders one day. At the moment, we focus on getting adults well.

What is counseling

At Center for Anxiety Relief and Education, Counseling means to actively listen to what our clients say and do not say; and encourage them to embrace their unique self, as they work on strategies to let go of destructive behaviors, and cope with issues beyond their control.

We provide unconditional positive regard to all our clients as we combine traditional psychotherapy with a hands-on approach to dealing with life issues. We employ a variety of psycho therapeutic approaches to help clients reduce undesired behaviors and maximize their best mental health possible.

For an overview of Therapies and Counseling techniques, see Forms of Therapy.