| 
Counseling --> Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
An
intake is the first appointment for a new client at VYFS. It may
last from one to one and a half hours while the intake worker
gathers a broad range of information (such as medical, family history,
client needs) from the person seeking counseling. The intake can
also be an opportunity for a client to ask questions about the
counseling process or to make a request regarding counselor assignment.
The information obtained in the intake helps us to match a therapist
to the client, based on the needs of the client. The intake
records are then passed on to the assigned therapist, to help
the therapist to begin the therapeutic relationship with a broad
picture of the client’s life.
One guideline that
may be helpful in deciding whether to seek counseling is to
look at your support network and determine whether
you get the support you need from friends/family. If problems seem
to persist or exceed the capacity of your support system, counseling
may be beneficial. Counseling can also be helpful if you experience
problems with mood (depression, anxiety, unusual highs or lows
in mood), anger management, have experienced trauma, a recent
change in life, or
have parenting issues or difficulties in your family/primary relationship,
or simply feel alone in your problems. Problems do not have to
be “big” for a person to seek counseling. In fact,
counseling can serve as a proactive measure, preventing smaller
problems from getting out of hand.
VYFS assigns new clients to therapists on the first Wednesday
following the intake appointment. We look for a “good fit,”
incorporating the needs and personality of the client with the skills
and expertise of the therapists. We also look for scheduling compatibility.
Clients may request a particular therapist, and in most cases we
are able to honor such requests, providing the therapist’s
schedule works with the client’s schedule. Clients may also
state a preference to work with a male or female counselor.
You might consider the following questions when assessing
if a counselor is a good match for you: Do you feel comfortable
about sharing your story with your counselor? Do you feel your concerns
are being taken to heart? Do you feel understood and supported?
Do you notice that you are making progress? Working with a therapist
requires a commitment of time, energy and money, so it is important
to choose someone you feel confident in and comfortable with. Please
address any concerns you may have to your therapist directly. Your
counselor will be happy to address them and work with you in finding
another counselor, if that is your wish.
If you don’t like your counselor, you do have options.
If at all possible, it is recommended that you first address any
concerns with your counselor, as problems can often be resolved
without changing therapists and having to start over with someone
new. If you are uncomfortable addressing your therapist directly,
are not able to resolve things, or simply feel that your counselor
is not a good match for you, you may contact our intake worker and
request a different therapist. We are also happy to provide clients
referrals to other therapists/agencies in the area.
Couple's counseling involves a couple meeting with a therapist.
This is appropriate for people whose difficulties stem primarily
from their relationship with their partner/husband/wife. For couple's
counseling to be effective, it is important for both partners to
be willing to work through their problems with a counselor. Objectives
can include improving communication, problem solve difficulties,
and build understanding/empathy for each other. Couple's counseling
is not usually effective in resolving problems stemming from one
partner (such as a history of depression or sexual abuse), but can
help the couple learn to cope with those issues.
In cases where one partner is not willing to be involved in
the counseling process, it can still be helpful for the partner
who is willing to have counseling to seek individual counseling.
Family counseling involves a family meeting with a therapist.
This is appropriate for people who find that difficulties seem to
affect their whole family or the dynamics of their family. Goals
may include improving communication, understanding family patterns
that work or don’t work, problem solving difficulties
that arise, increasing understanding among family members, and working
through family and individual changes. The therapist may request
that the whole family be present for sessions, as each family member
plays a significant role in a family’s dynamics.
In selected cases, we are required by law to release information
to Child Protective Services. This can occur when there is suspected
abuse or neglect of children. If Child Protective Services is called
and chooses to be involved in a case, a state social worker will
contact the family to explore safety concerns regarding the child
in question. Child Protective Services is then generally able to
offer a range of resources to a family to work toward two goals:
increasing child well-being/safety and keeping the family together.
In very rare cases, Child Protective Services may determine that
an out-of-home placement (i.e. foster care) is necessary to assure
safety for the child.
Family Reconciliation Service is a free program of 15 hours of in-home counseling
provided by DSHS if families with youth 13 and older have teens who are runaways
or who exhibit delinquent behavior. Parents and the youth must all be
willing to participate. Family Preservation Service is for families with
children
and youth who are under age 13. As soon as the event causing the youth or
child to "act out," happens, it is helpful to get FRS or FPS involved.
Vashon Youth & Family Services accepts medical coupons
from medicaid clients, for which no additional out-of-pocket copay
is needed; Vashon Youth & Family Services also works with Group
Health clients; the usual copay applies in such cases. Private pay
clients are also welcome: there is a sliding scale based on
the client's household income to determine client fees. If a client's
circumstances change, we are happy to make adjustments in the per-session
fee. Please call the intake coordinator at 206 463-5511 for more
information.
|
