BEGINNING THERAPY
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DECIDING TO BEGIN THERAPY
Many people feel relief in beginning therapy. They experience motivating, positive shifts often within the first session. It is also common when starting therapy to experience some ambivalence. Doubts and misgivings may arise. You may think to yourself, "Is this really necessary?" or "Will this work for me?" Maybe the movie you saw last week made therapy and therapists look like a farce. Many or most of us have experienced difficulties or disappointments associated with needing or asking for help. Also, we live in a culture that tends to place value on ideals of independence and self-sufficiency. I welcome your ambivalence, doubts and misgivings - whatever they may be - about whether I'm the right therapist for the job or about therapy in general. Finding a way to be curious in the face of questions or feelings like these is sometimes part of our work together. It is perhaps the aspect of therapy that holds the greatest potential for bringing about lasting positive change.
BEGINNING
The best way for us to know if we might work well together is to meet and see what it’s like. We can begin by scheduling a brief telephone consultation. This consultation is free of charge. It gives me a chance to learn a bit about your situation, and gives you a chance to learn a bit about how I listen and think as a therapist. Then, if you wish, we can schedule a first session and further explore the possibility of working together. I usually suggest meeting a few times to have enough experience upon which to base a decision.
SESSIONS
Once we decide to work together, we'll find a day and time that will be reserved as your session time. We meet a minimum of once a week for fifty minutes. I may recommend we meet more frequently depending upon your situation.
INSURANCE
Like many therapists in private practice, I have chosen to work primarily with private pay clients. Many of my clients do, however, get some percentage of reimbursement from their insurance companies for their therapy. Each month I provide a statement which can be submitted to your insurance carrier. It is important to check with your carrier to determine the policy for out-of-network providers. Other options which people consider are a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account.
MEDICATION
For some conditions, the combination of medication along with psychotherapy can be an effective treatment strategy. I often work in conjunction with your psychiatrist or will refer if we feel that medication might be a beneficial option. People vary greatly in their feelings about medication. I would want you to have the opportunity to explore this with a qualified psychiatrist, as well as for us to have the opportunity to explore the personal meanings it holds for you.
SCOTT CAROLLO, MFT
INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY & COUPLES COUNSELOR IN SAN FRANCISCO
INITIAL CONSULTATION
I offer an initial telephone consultation, at no cost, to help determine if we might work well together. I welcome any of your questions or concerns. Explore the site and call or email to schedule a consultation or make an appointment.
THERAPY FOR ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, RELATIONSHIP PROBLEMS / SAN FRANCISCO THERAPY / SAN FRANCISCO PSYCHOTHERAPY / SAN FRANCISCO COUPLES COUNSELING / PSYCHOTHERAPY SF / JUNGIAN PSYCHOTHERAPY / JUNGIAN ANALYSIS / JUNGIAN THERAPY / PSYCHOANALYSIS / PSYCHOANALYTIC PSYCHOTHERAPY / DEPTH THERAPY / DEPTH PSYCHOTHERAPY / PERSONAL GROWTH
333 HAYES STREET, SUITE 107, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102 / 415-860-0769 / SCOTTCAROLLO-MFT@COMCAST.NET
