Confidentiality is a crucial component in the therapeutic relationship. Due to the potentially highly sensitive material discussed during therapy, for therapy to be successful, the therapist’s office needs to be a place where the client feels safe and is able to trust that what is shared is not discussed outside of that space. During the intake session, the confidential disclosure agreement (Informed Consent) will be presented and reviewed. State law and professional ethics require that therapists maintain confidentiality except in the following situations: 1. If the therapist has reason to suspect that the client poses an imminent danger to themselves or others breaking confidentiality is necessary to resolve the danger. 2. When the therapist suspects past or present child, elder, or dependent adult abuse/neglect they report it to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement. 3. When the therapist receives a qualifying court order. Confidentiality is protected in the following ways: 1. The therapist will not leave revealing information on a voicemail or text. 2. The therapist will not acknowledge to outside parties that they work with a client. 3. The therapist will not discuss the contents of therapy with a third party without the explicit permission of the client.

There are many benefits to attending and participating in therapy. The therapist will provide support, help you sort out problems and find solutions, help you process (talk through) your feelings, and share coping strategies for an array of issues. Some potential benefits of therapy include personal growth, improved relationships, improved family dynamics, better management of and a reduction in anxiety and depression, and reduced stress. Sometimes the healing comes from talking through what is causing you distress, other times the therapist will share insights or another perspective that can help you shift your thinking. Time will be spent exploring alternative ways of viewing a challenge as well as different potential solutions. Like many things in life, the more you put into your therapy the more you will get out of it. Coming in for a session to talk can help but you can get a lot more out of it if you take what was discussed/learned in session and apply it to your daily life.

Therapy is your time to work on what you want at your own pace. The therapist is there to work with what you present. If something comes up in a session that you don’t want to or are not ready to talk about it is important that you let the therapist know that. The therapist may ask if it would be ok to check in with you about that topic at some point in the future. It is important that you answer this honestly. The therapist understands this and will respect it. At times, if an underlying issue is something a client is not comfortable talking about and it is a key factor in other elements in therapy it can slow or halt the therapy. That is ok too. Some things can not be rushed. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Our mental health affects our sense of well-being, relationships, and physical health. It is connected to our productivity and our financial stability. Taking time to take care of your mental health can improve every aspect of your life.

An intake is the first appointment you have with the therapist and is a time for you to determine if the therapist is someone you will feel comfortable working with. The primary focus of the first session is to get to know one another, discuss the reasons you have decided to attend therapy and for the therapist to gather information from you that will be helpful in creating a plan for your therapy. The session will start with the therapist reviewing the informed consent, explaining confidentiality, discuss the practice policies, answer your questions, and address any concerns you may have. During this meeting general and specific (to your comfort level) information will be gathered, concerns will be discussed, and goals you would like to work on in therapy will be created. If it is determined that your presenting needs are outside of the scope of practice that the therapist is able to ethically provide therapy for, the therapist will provide you with referrals to providers who are qualified to address your concerns. At the end of the session the therapist will discuss potential treatment options with you and you will decide if you would like to move forward with the process.

Every person’s experience with therapy will be unique depending on the severity and duration of their symptoms and their commitment to the therapy process. The treatment process is created based on the client’s presenting concerns and their goals. Engaging in any therapy related homework or tasks outside of sessions consistently can also improve outcomes. And finally, keeping an open mind and being honest with your therapist is a key component of success.

To schedule, change, or cancel an appointment call 715-832-9292. Typically, sessions after the intake will be scheduled with the therapist at the end of the session.

Frequency and duration of sessions will be discussed in session and you and the therapist will decide together what will work best for your therapy. This will be adjusted as needed as therapy progresses.

Yes.* Please read the information below to learn more about teletherapy. *Teletherapy is offered on a case by case basis depending on the clients needs and is determined at the therapist's discretion. Typically an in-person intake session is necessary to determine if it is appropriate to provide teletherapy. If there is a circumstance where you are only able to access therapy via teletherapy, please call (715-832-9292) to discuss. - Make sure that you have essential technology resources for a videoconference such as a webcam. - Consider your comfort level with technology. Talk to your provider about any technology concerns or issues you might have. - Keep in mind that psychologists and behavioral health professionals can provide services only where they are licensed. So, it is unlikely that you can work with a provider by videoconferencing or telephone in another state. - Check with your insurance provider to see if teletherapy is offered through your insurance plan. - It is customary for providers to ask patients for informed consent before beginning treatment. The informed consent usually covers benefits, potential risks involving telehealth, including limitations to patient confidentiality, security issues of patient data, emergency planning, and billing and payment policies. - Make sure to use secure Wi-Fi for videoconferencing. - Choose a private space for a session so you can speak openly with the provider without being overheard by others. - Avoid using public or unsecured Wi-Fi for calls on a mobile phone or other devices. A headset improves sound quality, is comfortable, and offers more confidentiality than using a speakerphone. - Confirm that no one will record the session without permission. This is in accordance with privacy laws. Minimize Distractions - Make sure you are free of distractions so you can focus on the appointment. - While a separate space for engaging in therapy is essential for privacy concerns, it is also important for focus and concentration. - Ensure all individuals taking part in a virtual session are within view of the camera, so the provider is aware of who is participating, particularly if a spouse or family member joins a session. - When using a smartphone for audio-only sessions, turn off other apps, ringers, notifications, and alarms that can disrupt the time set aside to address mental and behavioral health concerns. - Place the smartphone screen down, so texts or other notices during the session do not distract. - If you are joining a session using a smartphone device while in a vehicle, make sure that you are parked, and the engine is off for your safety and to help you focus.

To find out if Beechwood Therapy is able to accept your insurance check with your insurance provider (either online or by calling the telephone number on the back of your insurance card), they will have a list of providers who you are able to work with through your specific plan. Here are some questions you may want to ask: What are my mental health benefits? What is the coverage amount per therapy session? How many therapy sessions does my plan cover? How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider? Is approval required from my primary care physician? Is pre-approval required? Will I have a co-pay for therapy sessions? If so, how much will that be? What is my deductible, have I met it yet? If not, how much will the sessions cost me until I meet the deductible?

Billing is completed monthly.