The beginning is the most important part of the work.

~Plato

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you take insurance?

We don’t process insurance at Hutto Counseling, but your provider might reimburse you for services you receive through us. Call your insurance company directly to ask them how their process works and if they will reimburse you for services provided by Hutto Counseling.

Be sure to ask the following questions:

How does the process work from beginning to end?
What are my mental health benefits?
What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
Do I have a deductible to meet?
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?

What is counseling?

The words counseling, therapy, and psychotherapy are often used interchangeably. At the end of the day, it’s all about trying to create positive change in your life. This can be done individually, as a couple, or in groups. The key is being open and honest with yourself and your therapist to insure you are truly getting what you need from the interaction.

A professional counselor is licensed by their state and has at least a Masters Degree allowing them to begin the state licensure process. Sometimes called a psychotherapist, counselors are trained specifically to help clients work on issues that are having a negative impact on their life.

Therapy offers an opportunity for personal transformation, improved clarity on your situation, emotional skill building, relief from distress, education on goal setting, and access to an impartial professional who can help you navigate the stresses in your life.

Is therapy confidential?

The law and state licensure policies protect the confidentiality of all communications between a client and therapist with very limited exceptions. Therapist are bound by law to report the following:

  • If a therapist has knowledge, evidence, or reasonable concern regarding the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a minor, elderly person, or disabled person, they are required by law to file a report with the appropriate agency.
  • If a client communicates an explicit threat of serious physical harm and has the apparent intent and ability to carry out such a threat, the therapist may be required to take protective actions. These actions may include contacting the police and/or seeking hospitalization for the client.
  • If a therapist believes that there is an imminent danger or high risk that a client will seriously physically harm themselves, we are required take protective action. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.
What is therapy really like?

Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. It’s common practice for therapists to discuss issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. Generally, in the beginning we schedule a series of weekly or bi-weekly sessions, with each session lasting around fifty minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book, trying a technique that was discussed, journaling, or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It’s important to process and reflect on what has been discussed so you can integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives.

Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues, and creative blocks.

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you’ve faced, there’s nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you’re at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid pitfalls, adjust unproductive patterns, and overcome challenges along your path.

Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn.

Do you see children or teens?

Of course we do! We even try to keep a few evening appointments open to avoid interruptions in the school day. Just like working with adults, we tailor our sessions with children to the individual child. Reach out to us to see if your child would be a good fit with one of our therapists.

What is children’s therapy?

Children often develop coping mechanisms through art and play. Cognitive behavior therapy is useful to alleviate symptoms for children who experience depression and anxiety. Just like working with adults, every child is different so the approach we take will be based on the child and their needs.

Some reasons for seeking therapy for your child could be:
Anxiety
Behavior Difficulties
Learning Disabilities
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Adjustments to Divorce/Blended Families
Sexual Abuse

Trouble making or keeping friends
Witnessing Violence
Grief and Loss

As a parent, what is my role in my child’s therapy?

First and foremost, the therapeutic relationship is truly a partnership. When caregivers make the decision to bring their child to therapy they may feel a variety of emotions including but not limited to embarrassment, confusion, nervousness, relief, and even overwhelmed. The bottom line is, we are not here to judge, we are here to help.

As therapists, we recognize it takes courage to make this step and we love working with parents to provide support, insight, and information throughout the process. We see parents as the experts on their child and work to develop a strong therapeutic partnership with parents. We help parents develop ways to communicate with their children more productively, with the goal of strengthening the parent-child relationship.

What about medication?

It depends on you and your situation. In some cases, a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action, but not always. Working with your medical doctor and therapist you can determine what’s best for you. It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional struggles and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.

Is therapy right for me?

Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one’s life such as a divorce or work transition. Many seek the advice of therapists as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.

What is executive counseling?

Executive counseling typically focuses on helping you navigate work relationships and leadership decisions while also acknowledging the impact your professional life has on your personal life.

Often, the leaders we work with can be somewhat disconnected emotionally because of the demands they face and the need to protect against becoming overwhelmed. Compartmentalizing often becomes the norm. We’ve found that the most effective leaders have emotional intelligence and a healthy balance of head and heart. We can provide the space to meaningfully explore who you are and what you want out of life, both at work and at home.

The issues that bring you in may not have to do with work. Maybe you’d like to focus on your family relationships, parenting, love life, sense of purpose, or a recent loss. Understanding your busy career and how that impacts these other important areas of your life will help us move in a more positive direction.
We know it can be difficult to switch gears and think about your own needs. More especially, we know it can be difficult to let someone else help you meet those needs. It takes a lot of courage, and that nearly impossible act of making more time in your schedule, but our goal is to help you find a balance that makes sense for you.

We often find ourselves working with executives and leaders in the community and over the years have noticed some unique patterns recurring regardless of the organizations they were involved with. We realized the value of helping people who have an impact on the larger community so that our contribution reaches beyond those we interact with directly.

What is couples therapy?

Couples therapy (also called couples counseling and marriage counseling) is essential for any relationship that needs deeper intimacy, stronger communication, and greater trust. Whether your relationship is struggling, or you are looking to take your bond to new heights, we can help you navigate your path.

Couples therapy is designed to help you work through relationship or communication issues and create emotional closeness. Premarital counseling can help dating or engaged partners understand their differences and resolve differences before marriage so they can have the tools to create a happy and healthy marriage from the start. You may consider couples counseling if you want to:

Improve communication
Improve intimacy
Increase friendship or closeness
Establish how you will deal with issues when they come up
Improve problem solving
Heal from infidelity
Discuss your concerns more productively
Feel more love and passion in your relationship
Have a more satisfying sex life
Address life transitions and stresses productively: Employment, children, relocation, finance, and sharing the covers 😉

What is individual therapy?

Individual therapy is your chance to work one-on-one with a qualified, expertly trained clinician dedicated to helping you along your path. Individual therapy involves working one-on-one with a therapist to plan and to move your life in the direction you want to head. Some common reasons for seeking therapy are:

Depression
Anxiety
PTSD
Family-of-origin issues
Self Esteem
Eating Disorders
Sexual Abuse
Addiction
Relationship Issues
Coping Mechanisms
Grief and Loss
Trauma, Violence, Abuse
Stress Management
Life Changes
Relationship Struggles
Parenting Concerns