Frequently Asked Questions:
What types of therapy do you use?
There are many models or types of therapy to choose from. In the first three sessions, I will do a complete mental, emotional and spiritual assessment and work with you to come up with the therapy that will best address your issues. We collaborate together to come up with the therapy that feels safe and right for you, and that has also had some good success in treating people with similar concerns. I do my best to stay informed and keep up with the techniques that show the best results in helping each particular issue. Below are some of the types of therapy I use.
Addiction Therapy (based on attachment and recent brain science)
Anger Management
Attachment Therapy (based on recent brain science)
Body Image (therapy for eating disorders)
Body-Mind-Spirit Psychotherapy
Marital Therapy (Using a mixture of J.Gottman, E.F.T., H.Hendricks, Attachment)
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
EMDR (Trauma based Therapy)
Exposure Therapy (for OCD, Phobia’s)
Family Systems Therapy (for families, couples)
The Immanuel Approach
Insight Oriented Therapy
Journal Therapy
Relaxation Therapy and Stress Management
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Spiritually Focused Christian Therapy (Immanuel Prayer)
Splankna Therapy (A combination of EFT, EMDR, TFT)
How do I know if therapy will work for me, or if I need therapy now?
As therapists we are all limited. We expect and hope that we can help facilitate change with our clients, but much of our client’s progress depends on them. Although as therapists we are compelled to help others release burdens and cope with suffering, a person must want to get well before they can. If fears or insecurities are blocking this “want to” on the part of the client, we can sometimes help the client to release those blockages. Sometimes the blockages are subconscious, and since the subconscious is very fear based, the client may be feeling a lot of fear about change, and even about coming to therapy, but not really know why. The best thing to do is make a decision that you want to get well, and proceed from there, regardless of what your feelings tell you. Tell your therapist that you want help with the part of you that is afraid or reluctant. Cultivate an attitude of working with your therapist to empower you to break through to your desired state of functioning.
There are a few conditions where therapy at this time in your life may not be the best option:
You may not be ready for therapy. It is a commitment you make to yourself, and it's okay if you are not ready for the work and commitment involved. Only you can know whether you are ready. Never give up hope that you can heal, but realize that the time may not be now.
If your outer life is so chaotic that you cannot focus on your inner life right now. Keep in mind that few people have totally calm lives. However if your current situation demands so much of your time and energy that there is no time left for you, you may want to wait until you can devote some time to yourself.
If you are caught up in an addiction that you are unwilling to change, or a relationship or habit that you know is detrimental for you but you would not be persuaded to see your part.
If you expect the therapist to "fix" you and you are not willing to do the work involved in therapy. There is always reluctance to change, and some resistance is normal. That is part of the process and your therapist will help you with this as long as you are willing to do your part.
If you are being referred by someone else for therapy but you don't really want to come. For this reason, it is required that the person seeking the therapy be the one to make the appointment (except in the case of a minor). Research has shown that if a person doesn't want to be in therapy, they are wasting their time and money. Wait until you really want to receive help in working through your issues, and are willing to do your part.
If you are coming with a spouse to help them see their faults, and you are not willing to work on your own issues that contribute to the problem. If this is the case, it may be a better option to seek individual therapy instead of marital.
One way to sort through this is to write down what you want your life to look like on the last day of therapy, or if things were better, and you didn’t need therapy. How would that "day" look to you? If there is a difference between how you are functioning today, and how you would picture that day to go, therapy may be something that would help you to close that gap. Ask yourself what your willingness is to invest in you, in order to reach these goals, on a scale of 0 to 100. If it is above 50, you will most likely find therapy very suitable for you. If it is below 50, that does not necessarily rule out therapy for you at this time. Let your therapist know your reluctance in the first session. By talking through your fears and reservations, you may be able to gain the support you need to proceed and/or to be referred to another treatment modality until you are ready for individual therapy. It’s possible to have this conversation with Denice as part of your free half-hour evaluation (See the tab for Free Consultation).
Financial concerns:
If you know you want therapy, but finances are the issue, please feel free to speak to me about this. I understand that therapy can be very expensive, both in time and money. I fully respect this investment my clients are making, and strive to stay abreast of the most efficient modalities to treat your issue. Some of the methods I have learned are anywhere from 3-5 times faster in processing trauma to a place of resolution. Because each person is different, I cannot predict the number of sessions you will need, or promise that your therapy will be brief, however I can assure you that I will do all that I can do to help you move through your issues in the safest and most efficient way. I set goals and a treatment plan with you in the first three sessions, and when you have reached your goals, you are finished with therapy. I believe in assigning you things to work on in between sessions, so that your competencies are growing as you proceed through therapy, and you are not becoming overly dependent on your therapist. With this approach I find that most of my clients work through their issues to a place of resolution much faster than they would expect and feel more satisfied with their therapy, compared to the results I saw when I did not use these methods. I enjoy having a higher turnover rate in my practice because I discharge satisfied clients who have reached their goals. Again, although no results can be promised, this is what I find on average.
Also, just as you invest in your health through preventative care and doctor visits, it is equally as important to invest in your emotional health as well. Emergency room physicians have estimated at various times that up to 80% of the patients that they see have an emotional or mental health root to their physical symptom. The mind, emotions, body and spirit are all interconnected. One cannot be “ill-at-ease” for very long in their emotions, without affecting the body in some way. A good example of this is that some research indicates that if a person is hard on themselves, they sometimes can develop auto immune diseases where the body attacks itself, or is hard on itself. The body is mirroring what the spirit/ soul is doing. Some of these are diseases such as Hashimoto's disease, Lupus, Colitis, Celiac, Crohn's, and many others. (see AARDA.org). Emotional issues are not always a contributor to these diseases, but research does show correlation. A person can spend thousands of hours and dollars treating these physical conditions, but never think about how the soul/spirit/mind may be contributing to them! Our medical model separates out physical disease from the soul and spirit, emotions and mind. Close to 50% of my clients report physical symptoms that completely clear up, or get significantly better, during their therapy, including such things as hypoglycemia, asthma, arthritis and joint issues, IBS (irritable bowel), insomnia, low energy, fibromyalgia, etc. Each person is different as to the roots of their diseases, and no results in this regard or any other, can be guaranteed. It is important to understand that by investing in your mental health, you are also investing in your physical health, which can save money and time in the long run. In addition, when you are feeling better emotionally, you invest in your life more fully and are more able to work and be successful in your endeavors. your relationships, self-care and exercise, all of which improve health and lead to a more fulfilling life. Although we can easily spend a lot of money on a car or a house or a “needed item”, in the long run, there is no better investment than you.
Also, it is possible to do therapy every other week instead of every week, which is the standard interval between sessions. It isn’t ideal, but it can work, depending on the type of therapy preferred, especially if you are motivated to work on things in between sessions. This is one way to make therapy more affordable.
Website under construction - please check back soon-
This is under construction - check back soon!