Counseling FAQ's

Professional counselors work with individuals, families, groups and organizations. Counseling is a collaborative effort between the counselor and client. Professional counselors help clients identify goals and potential solutions to problems which cause emotional turmoil; seek to improve communication and coping skills; strengthen self-esteem; and promote behavior change and optimal mental health. Through counseling you examine the behaviors, thoughts and feelings that are causing difficulties in your life. You learn effective ways to deal with your problems by building upon personal strengths. A professional counselor will encourage your personal growth and development in ways that foster your interest and welfare.

In the early stages, you can expect your counselor to ask many questions. Your counselor will work with you to define the presenting problem you're seeking help with, discuss your goals for counseling and determine next steps.

Because counseling is dynamic and interactive, you should feel free to ask questions to help you connect with your counselor as you progress through the counseling experience together.

Licensed professional counselors provide quality mental health care to millions of Americans. Professional counselors have a master's or doctoral degree in counseling or a related field which included an internship and coursework in human behavior and development, effective counseling strategies, ethical practice, and other core knowledge areas.

Over 80,000 professional counselors are licensed in 48 states as well as the District of Columbia. State licensure typically requires a master's or doctoral degree, two to three years of supervised clinical experience, and the passage of an examination. In states without licensure or certification laws, professional counselors are certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). Participation in continuing education is often required for the renewal of a license or certification.

Professional counselors adhere to a code of ethics that protects the confidentiality of the counseling relationship; prohibits discrimination and requires understanding of and respect for diverse cultural backgrounds; and mandates that professional counselors put the needs and welfare of clients before all others in their practice.

About Psychiatry:

• Psychiatrists are medical doctors that prescribe psychotropic medication. Psychotropic medications are designed to assist with managing mental health conditions.

• In our practice, you must first be seen by a clinician for an Intake Evaluation, prior to setting your appointment with the psychiatrist. Your initial appointment with the clinician is where we gather much of the information that they psychiatrist will need to determine the best medication regimen for you.

• After the initial evaluation, you will meet with the psychiatrist for one hour. Subsequent visits with our psychiatrist are usually scheduled monthly and last for 30 minutes. During that appointment, the doctor will inquire about how you are progressing with your medications and ensure that any negative side effects are addressed.

The Stone Foundation provides counseling for individuals ages 7 and up. We also work with couples and families throughout various life transitions. The most important part of beginning clinical services is the screening. The information that you provide on the Let's Get Started form coupled with the conversation you have with our administrative staff is key to ensuring that we match you with the provider best able to meet your needs. Our clinicians have a variety of educational backgrounds and experiences. Many specialize in working with particular age groups or types of concerns.

Even with our best efforts at matching there are times when you may not feel that your clinician is the best fit. The Stone Foundation takes very seriously your concerns and we encourage you to talk with your clinician or our administrative staff to ensure that your needs are being met.

People seek counseling for a variety of reasons including feeling unhappy, unfulfilled, worried, sad, or angry. People also seek out counseling to help change behaviors that are troubling them including choices, thoughts or behaviors that affect their relationships at home or at work. Some people seek counseling because they have a life goal that has been eluding them and they are ready to explore their barriers. Other people seek out counseling because they know they are going through a difficult time or facing a difficult decision and they desire a place to sort through their feelings and move forward in their life with intention and clear thinking.

When a counseling relationship is working well, clients experience new insights into their situations, clearer thinking, increased energy, better understanding of their feelings and needs, release of troubling emotions that have held them back or been confusing, and a greater sense of wholeness and peace within themselves. Therapy is a process, and a working partnership develops between client and therapist. Therapy is not always comfortable or straightforward as difficult emotions and ways of being often have to be sorted through in order for new energy and change to appear. Clients should feel comfortable with their therapist and be able to ask about whatever is on their mind regarding the process. In spite of the uncomfortable emotions experienced, clients I have worked with feel that the temporary pain of the working through process is well worth leaving behind the continual pain of living the way they had previously.

Please visit our New Clients page. Fill out the appropriate forms and submit. This form comes directly to our administrative team and someone will contact you within 48 hours to gather more information or to provide you with information about scheduling your initial appointment.

The scheduling of appointments varies based on the availability of a clinician suitable for meeting your needs. Due to the high request for appointments during the evening and weekend hours, clients with availability during day time hours are more likely to be scheduled quickly.