This post is for the parents on the edge, wondering if their child would benefit from therapy and what therapy for children and adolescents even looks like. I hope that this article will answer any questions that you may have, keeping in mind that every child and family is unique and should you need a more personalized conversation, please call our office for a more tailored conversation. 

With the increased access to telehealth services, parents now have more options available to them when looking for a mental health provider to work with their child. Telehealth, however, won’t necessarily be a good fit for everyone.  Within this post I hope to address any questions you may have in determining whether telehealth services will best meet the needs of your child. 

For those who are getting ready for mental health therapy, the most important question is: “how can I benefit the most from therapy?” I have five tips for clients who are getting ready for this journey with their therapist.

Prior to the pandemic, online counseling services were much harder to find than they are now. When the pandemic hit, there was a lot of reluctance to try telehealth. Now that so much time has passed, mental health therapists and clients alike have discovered the many benefits and conveniences of online counseling services. Interestingly enough, we still see some hesitation to give telehealth a try (especially in people who have never experienced it), so we wanted to share about the many telehealth benefits that our clients have shared with us.

Over the past 2 years, the popularity of telehealth has grown tremendously. While telehealth can be really convenient, it’s not necessarily a fit for everyone. If you’ve been thinking about telehealth, we hope you’ll find this information helpful for deciding if it’s right for you.

When getting ready to start a journey in therapy, we think about our positions at the beginning. That includes: what type of counselor we are looking for, what kind of therapy style we would want to receive, and what kind of perspective we might gain from our therapist. There are many elements to consider when finding a therapist that best fits you. Here are some reasons why working with a BIPOC therapist may be suitable for you.

It’s not uncommon for people in the Chinese community to experience doubt or uncertainty about the idea of receiving counseling services. People may feel uncomfortable seeking help for their mental health issues when they are experiencing something difficult in their lives. While counseling can be helpful for addressing stressors and mental health concerns, there are a number of reasons why people may not be seeking out the counseling services that can help them. In this blog, I’ll be talking about 5 barriers to seeking mental health therapy in the Chinese community, and 5 reasons why people should consider counseling services.

We all have lies we tell ourselves, whether it’s about ourselves or other people, big or small. “I’ll remember to put gas in my car before work/morning school drop off.” “This job/ relationship isn’t so bad.” “I’m only going to stay for one drink, and then I’ll go home.” “So-and-so’s drinking/drug use isn’t that bad.” The lies we tell ourselves have a way of being the tip of an iceberg. There is much more happening beneath the surface than we realize. What if underneath the tip of that iceberg is a larger pattern? Often times this is the case with one "iceberg" being accompanied by many others. How, though, do you know if you’re floating in the ocean surrounded by icebergs?

Every day, police officers are responding to critical incidents that can impact their health and mental well-being. Sometimes the impact is immediate and evident; other times, it’s insidious and builds over time. This can lead to officers developing poor coping mechanisms, physical problems such as digestive issues, and experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). What can police departments do to help the helper?

As LifeSpring’s virtual assistant, I’m the first person you’ll speak to and, hopefully, schedule an appointment with when giving our office a call! With that being said, I also encounter a lot of curious clients who have questions regarding the counseling process, what to expect, and what their next steps will be. 

For many, seeking counseling is a huge step, yet a life-changing one. It’s completely normal to be nervous, unsure, or fearful at what this process will be like for you. When talking with me, I aim to be a helping hand as I get you connected and scheduled with a therapist that's right for you. 

For many therapists, telehealth has historically not been a modality of interest. After all, many therapists love meeting with their clients in person, and there was concern about whether or not the same connection and observations could be made while on a screen. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has forced most everyone to consider the potential benefits of online counseling services.  While therapists and clients alike may have been nervous about using new technologies, the personal accounts below show that there have been some pleasant surprises along the way.  

If you’re receiving counseling services, then you have 45-60 minutes each week to work with your therapist.  If you want to maximize your time, energy, and resources, here are some steps you can take to get the most out of your appointment.

If you haven’t been feeling great, but aren’t sure when it’s time to seek counseling, we hope this article will clarify that question. Firstly, counseling is for everyone, and if you’re questioning if counseling might be beneficial for you, then that’s probably your first indicator that it’s worth looking into.  Before you continue reading, please remember that seeking counseling is a sign of strength and insight. It’s a sign that you care about yourself and want to make sure that you feel better. 

At LifeSpring, the majority of people who contact us about counseling services are looking to use their health insurance.  While some people are familiar with their mental health benefits when they call us, we have found that most are not.  For this reason, we’re providing a step-by-step guide to learning about your personal health plan’s mental health benefits.  

If you are going to look for a therapist, you are naturally going to want to find someone who is a good fit for you.  What you may not realize is that this is actually REALLY important.  Studies show that having a good working relationship with your therapist is one of the most important predictors of success in therapy.  In fact, having a positive therapeutic relationship with your mental health provider has been shown to be even more important than the treatment modality that your provider uses. And, this makes sense. If you don’t feel understood, respected, or cared for, it will be difficult for you to trust your provider and to share with them. 

If you have never had to look for a mental health provider before, you may be at a loss for how to get started. In this short and sweet article, we’ll give you some super easy options for finding a therapist. After all, we want you to be able to access counseling services as quickly and seamlessly as possible. 

Brainspotting is definitely not talk therapy as usual.  For this reason, people are often unsure of what to expect.  I find that it’s helpful to be as clear as possible about what to expect during a Brainspotting session.  For many, knowing what to expect can alleviate any nervousness or uncertainty.  At the same time, it’s important to know that the content that arises in each Brainspotting session will be unique.  

Prior to starting telehealth, you and your provider will review and sign a Telemental Health Informed Consent document.  This document will cover important information about: the risks and benefits of telehealth, confidentiality and its limits, payment of services, the platform you will be using, steps to follow before and during your telehealth session, etc.. This way, you’ll know what to expect, and you’ll be prepared to make the most out of your session.