More about Rachel

During the first few sessions, we will discuss what has led you to seek therapy and what you hope to gain from the therapeutic process. Together we will establish treatment plan goals and update and modify these goals as needed.

As with any form of treatment, therapy can have potential benefits and potential risks. Therapy often involves discussing unpleasant aspects of your life, which may lead to experiencing unpleasant feelings.

Therapy has many benefits and can lead to better relationships, solutions to specific problems, and significant reductions in feelings of distress, but there are no guarantees or miracle cures. Therapy calls for an active effort on your part. For therapy to be most successful depends on your involvement and work inside and outside of the therapy session.

One of the most important keys in therapy is the relationship between the client and the therapist. If at any point you feel that your needs and/or expectations are not being met do not be afraid to speak up. If adjustments cannot be made, or if the relationship is not a good fit, then a referral will be given.

Telehealth therapy is a great way to increase accessability to therapeutic services. Many clients complete therapy during their lunch hour, or from the comfort of their own home to avoid busy commute times. Telehealth therapy can also be offered on an as needed basis in the event of sickness. The most important consideration for telehealth therapy is whether you have a safe, comfortable, and private space which will allow you to complete therapy with no distractions.

In general, the information discussed in therapy in strictly confidential and protected by the law unless you have provided explicit consent to share information through the use of a Release of Information (ROI). ROI’s are utilized when providing collaborative care with other healthcare providers such as a primary care doctor or a psychiatrist who is prescribing medications intended to treat a mental health diagnosis.

Exceptions to confidentiality include:

1. Suspected or reported child (under the age of 18) abuse or suspected or reported elder (above the age of 65) abuse. - The therapist is required by law to communicate this to appropriate authorities immediately.

2. If a client is threatening seriously bodily harm to another person. - The therapist is required to notify the police.

3. If the client intends to harm themselves. - The therapist will make every effort to work with the client to ensure safety. However, if the client does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.

As a licensed clinical social worker, I do not prescribe medications. While there are potential benefits to combination therapy (attending counseling and taking psychotropic medications), I believe that utilizing medications is a personal choice for each client. I am happy to discuss the potential benefits of psychotropic medications with clients at any time, and will provide referrals and collaborate care as needed.