5 Signs You Should See a Therapist: Taking Steps Towards Mental Well-being
THERAPY
The Value of Therapy
Therapy can provide you with a safe and supportive environment to explore your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, leading to personal growth, self-understanding, and improved mental well-being.
Therapy helps you gain insight into the root causes of your difficulties, develop healthier coping strategies, and acquire tools to navigate life's challenges more effectively. It promotes self-reflection, emotional healing, and the development of new perspectives, empowering you to make positive changes, improve relationships, and achieve a greater sense of fulfillment and balance in your lives. In addition, therapy can strengthen and heal intimate relationships by facilitating effective communication, conflict resolution, and emotional connection.
Testimonial
"Dr. Luttrell is very professional Therapy buddy. He strives to obtain the most helpful resources for clients and keep up to date on relevant approaches to aid clients in their therapy journey. He is friendly and approachable and highly empathic."
- Vanessa Q. (former colleague)
About Dr. Luttrell
Dr. Luttrell can help you reconnect and realign with your truth authentic self by restoring emotional intimacy with yourself, partner, family, business, or spiritual relationships. He believes that understanding emotions are important to overcome obstacles of shame, fear, or shame-based cycles of addiction. His focus areas tend to be on romantic relationships, sexuality, the impact of hurtful habits, and spirituality.
Treasure Therapy
Dr. Luttrell’s clinical work emphasizes the use of mindfulness-based and experiential psychotherapy models in working with individuals, couples, and families. He developed a proprietary form of psychotherapy called “Treasure Therapy,” which integrates components of other popular therapy models, such as Gestalt therapy or emotionally focused therapy (EFT). His unique approach sees the inherent dignity, beauty, and worth (the “treasure”) in all people and accepts you where you are. As a therapist, his five main objectives are to:
A therapy buddy is an innovative and empathetic approach to enhancing emotional well-being and personal growth. Rooted in the principles of companionship and emotional support, a therapy buddy is a trusted individual who provides a safe space for open communication, understanding, and self-discovery.
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Build a trusting, safe environment for you to talk.
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Raise awareness and insight about your problems.
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Create possible solutions together.
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Instill a sense of hope and peace.
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Identify your strengths and how you are adapting to challenges.
After each session, you will be asked to provide feedback and evaluate if these objectives were met.
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What is psychotherapy?Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy or counseling, is a collaborative process between a trained therapist and an individual seeking support. It aims to explore thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and experiences to promote personal growth, emotional well-being, and address specific concerns. Psychotherapy encompasses various approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and humanistic therapy, tailored to meet the individual's needs.
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How long does psychotherapy last? How many sessions will I need?The duration of psychotherapy varies depending on several factors, including the individual's goals, the complexity of their concerns, and their progress throughout the therapeutic process. Some individuals may benefit from short-term therapy, consisting of a few sessions or weeks, to address specific issues or provide immediate support. Long-term therapy may span several months or years, focusing on deeper exploration and ongoing personal development. The therapist and individual collaborate to determine the appropriate duration of therapy based on their unique circumstances. Sessions are typically scheduled to occur one time per week at the same time and day if possible. Your therapist may suggest a different amount of therapy depending on the nature and severity of your concerns. Your consistent attendance greatly contributes to a successful outcome. Due to the varying nature and severity of problems and the individuality of each client, we are unable to predict the length of your therapy or to guarantee a specific outcome or result. The length of your treatment depends on the specifics of your treatment plan and the progress you achieve. Most clients see their therapist once a week for 3 to 4 months. After that, they meet less often for several months. Therapy then usually comes to an end.
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How do I find the right therapist for me?Finding the right therapist involves considering several factors. It's important to seek a licensed and qualified therapist with expertise in the specific concerns you want to address. You can ask for recommendations from trusted sources, such as healthcare professionals or friends who have had positive experiences with therapy. Online directories and therapist matching platforms can also help you find therapists in your area. Additionally, it's crucial to feel comfortable and have a good rapport with your therapist, so scheduling an initial consultation or phone call to assess the fit is recommended.
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Do you accept insurance?For mental health issues, we accept Blue Cross Blue Shield and affiliates (CareFirst, Anthem, BCBS Federal Employee Program, etc.) and Cigna or Evernorth. HOWEVER, please note that to qualify for insurance benefits, therapy must be related to a mental health diagnosis, like anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc., that has medical necessity. Most insurance plans do not cover relationship or sexual issues. Yes, it is sad considering that these are often the primary drivers for mental health issues. Please do not ask us to bill your insurance for relationship or sexual issues without first contacting your insurance company to check to see if your plan covers it. (We don't want to keep asking them.) Also, we cannot make up a diagnosis either, as this is insurance fraud and can cost us our license and result in serious penalties. Plus, insurance companies occasionally audit psychotherapy notes to ensure that treatment is related to the reported diagnosis. You can always choose to skip insurance and pay for therapy out of pocket. This will maximize your privacy and widen your pool of therapists. Thank you for your understanding.
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How much does therapy cost?The cost depends on the type of service provided, who your provider is, and how long it lasts for. Please contact us for up-to-date rates. We also offer a 10% discount for online teletherapy sessions due. Sessions that exceed these times by more than 10 minutes will be billed accordingly in 15-minute increments. Additional charges also apply for sessions after office hours or on weekends. More information can be found in our informed consent document available upon request. All rates are in US dollars. Good Faith Estimate You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call (800) 985-3059.
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Is psychotherapy confidential?Confidentiality is a fundamental principle in psychotherapy. Therapists are legally and ethically bound to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the information shared during therapy sessions. However, there are a few exceptions to confidentiality, such as when there is a risk of harm to oneself or others, child or elder abuse, or when a court order requires the disclosure of information. Your therapist should explain their confidentiality policy and any exceptions during the initial sessions.
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Do you offer virtual therapy and coaching sessions?Yes! In addition to in-person appointments, HigherChange also provides online video conferencing sessions for both therapy and coaching. We use an encrypted video conferencing platform that we have a HIPAA-compliant relationship with. However, you will need a smartphone with a built-in camera or a computer with a webcam and microphone. (If booking a virtual therapy appointment, be sure to select "Telehealth for Maryland/California/Singapore" and specify where you live as the Location.)
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Is therapy really beneficial?The benefits of therapy have been demonstrated through research. People who are depressed may find their mood lifting. Others may no longer feel afraid, angry, or anxious. In therapy, people have a chance to talk things out fully until their feelings are relieved or the problems are solved. Your relationships and coping skills may improve greatly. You may get more satisfaction out of social and family relationships. Your personal goals and values may become clearer. You may grow in different areas of your life.
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What if I can't make it to a scheduled appointment?Apart from unpredictable emergencies like snow days or illness, we require a 48-hour notice for cancellation and rescheduling. Otherwise, you may be charged the full session fee at 100%, and this charge may not be covered by insurance. To reschedule an appointment, select Appointments > Existing clients in the menu bar and follow the instructions there. Alternatively, you can call or email us using the contact information at the bottom of the screen.