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SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Common Spiritual Challenges

Have you ever experienced spiritual struggles or uncertainties, feeling disconnected from your beliefs?  Common spiritual problems may arise from a crisis of faith, doubts, or questioning of religious beliefs. Traumatic religious experiences, judgmental religious environments, or conflicts between personal beliefs and religious teachings can also contribute to spiritual struggles. Additionally, feelings of disconnection from a higher power or a lack of spiritual fulfillment may lead to spiritual unrest. Churches and spiritual coaches can address these causes by providing a supportive and understanding space to explore spiritual concerns, offer guidance in interpreting religious texts, and facilitate a deeper connection with one's faith and spirituality.

 

Common spiritual problems that a coach can help with:

  • Finding meaning and purpose in life

  • Questioning one's faith and beliefs

  • Spiritual growth and personal development

  • Struggles with forgiveness and letting go

  • Coping with existential concerns and existential crisis

  • Balancing spirituality with everyday life

  • Developing a deeper connection with a higher power

  • Integrating spirituality into decision-making and actions

  • Coping with religious trauma or negative religious experiences

  • Seeking guidance and direction in spiritual matters

Coaching for Spiritual Growth

For those who are Christian or religious, a spiritual coach is like having your own personal pastor. The coach is a professional who provides guidance, support, and spiritual insights to help you in your spiritual journey to deepen your faith, have a better understanding of biblical teachings, and develop a closer relationship with God. They provide guidance on prayer, Bible study, worship, and other spiritual practices to nurture spiritual growth and discipleship. A spiritual coach helps you identify and clarify your values and align your life with your values. They assist in exploring God's purpose for your life and discovering how your unique talents, passions, and gifts can be used for His glory. Coaches provide tools and exercises to assist in discerning God's will and living a purposeful life. They help you bridge the gap between your faith and daily life and provide practical guidance on living out your faith authentically in various contexts.

 

If you have been wounded by religion, a spiritual coach can provide support and a compassionate and non-judgmental environment to talk and find grace. Coaches can incorporate prayer, scripture, and other spiritual practices to help. It's important to note that a spiritual coach should have a solid understanding of religion, theology, biblical principles, and spiritual practices. They should also uphold ethical guidelines and operate only within the boundaries of their expertise. Spiritual coaching complements other forms of support, such as pastoral counseling and participation in a faith community.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.)
  • 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.
  • 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.

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Free 10-Minute Telephone Consultation
 

If you have any questions about our services, you can call us for a free 10-minute phoneconversation. There also may be times when you need to talk on the phone outside ofour regular appointment times. In case of an emergency, you may contact your coach fora telephone consult. If the call takes longer than 10 minutes, the time used will be chargedour regular fee, prorated in 15-minute blocks. All fees are subject to change.

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