Family Therapy
Family therapy is a process where families work with a trained therapist to process address a variety of issues. Issues can include stress, conflict, trauma, financial issues, family disruption, losses, communication issues, or addictions. Therapy happens in a safe and confidential environment. My therapy style is client centered with a systems perspective. I believe that each person’s actions/reactions impact the relationship, so success is more likely when family members are active participants in the process. My goal is to help families identify and reach their goals.
Family therapy sessions are generally 45-50 minutes in length. Generally all family members are in the first session, and then the family and therapist determine the family’s needs. This is a place for family members to explore their feelings, beliefs, or behaviors, work through challenging or influential memories, identify aspects of their lives that they would like to change, better understand themselves and others, set goals, and work toward desired change.
In the first session I ask lots of questions and do an assessment of the family. This gives me a good idea of each family member, including strengths, needs, and desired outcome. I like to get feedback from family members about what they think would be helpful and together we decide what direction to go. Sometimes that is continuing family therapy, other times it may be adding a referral for another service (ie individual therapy, substance abuse assessment, etc.). Once families identify the goals to work on in therapy, we work to determine how often session should be and evaluate if they need to continue. Some clients may only come for 1-2 sessions and find relief and others may come regularly for several years. Every family is different, and again, there is not one right or wrong way to do therapy. It is also important to note that you may not feel like I am a good fit for you and that’s OK. My goal is for the individuals who come to my office to find what works for them.
What to Expect
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If you’ve received the client portal invitation, log in and check any messages, fill out paperwork, etc. With family therapy, there is usually one person who will be the “identified patient.” This is the person whose name will be associated with the file.
Be thinking of what you would like to talk about, or any questions you have. Feel free to write those down and bring them in.
Download the mobile parking app. Or bring change for the metered parking ($0.50/hour). Find information here about the app. There is free parking behind Main Street as well.
Verify your insurance. Click here for more information regarding insurance.
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Our building is on 5th street. We are one block North of Main Street. We have our own entrance at 214-5th.
We do not have a receptionist, so feel free to have a seat and we will be with you as soon as possible.
If there is still paperwork to be done, you may be asked to fill out paperwork before your appointment.
Each therapist has a private office, so you will be with the same therapist in the same office every session. To increase privacy we leave a noise machine on as well as the bathroom light/fan. These are to muffle noises.
The lighting in the office LED. If you prefer lamps to overhead lighting, let us know and we will be happy to use lamps instead.
With families we sometimes will meet with individual family members alone for part of the session. Please note, we do not have a television or other entertainment in the lobby, and kids sometimes get bored.
After your appointment we will work together to decide if you would like to schedule another session. We will also determine if that will be scheduled at that time, or if it will be scheduled later. There is no right or wrong way to do it.
If there is a copayment, we can take care of that after the session.
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Be kind to yourself, you’ve done a lot of hard work. Be mindful that some family members may need more or less time to bring their emotions back down.
You are welcome to contact your counselor with any questions/concerns between session. Email or the client portal are the most direct ways to get in contact. Please be aware we may not be able to return your message for up to 48 hours.
Our phones are answered 9am-5pm Monday through Friday. They are answered by a call center and are not physically in the same building. Phone calls are more difficult to return due to the nature of our schedule.
You can use the client portal to check your appointments or make/change any appointments.
Contact the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit your local emergency department if you are having thoughts of self harm or suicide. Cultivate Wellness is not a crisis center.
Frequently Asked Questions
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In our office we let our client’s define family. We do not have one definition or structure.
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My approach is very person centered, which means focusing on the needs of people where they’re at. If someone is unable/not ready/unwilling to participate, I never want to force them to engage. Good work can still be done with whomever does choose to participate.
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Yes. Cultivate Wellness is LGBTQ+ Affirming
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While we are not faith based, we welcome individuals of all faiths.
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Scheduling your next appointment can be done at the end of an appointment. Or can be done through the client portal or by calling 515-212-7379. Counselors are not always able to accommodate same day appointments.
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We take your privacy seriously. This is suppose to be a safe space and confidentiality is vital to that. If you want someone to be able to communicate with us about your services. (including billing) you can sign a release of information. This is also something that can be revoked by you at any time. Best practice includes coordinating with your primary care provider, but again, this is your choice.
In family counseling, things that are said in the therapy room are expected to stay in the therapy room. For example, if I meet for part of the session with a parent/caregiver and a child and they are talking through a problem with another family member, that information will not be shared with the rest of the family.
HIPAA (Health Insurance Privacy Portability Act) protects your PHI (protected health information). Our emails use HIPAA compliant encryption. Our client portal and our backup telehalth platform are HIPAA compliant.
Counselors are mandatory reporters. As such we are mandated by law to report any suspected child abuse.
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While our emails use a HIPAA compliant encryption, it is safest to use our secure portal to communicate with your counselor.
Our phones are answered 9am-5pm Mon-Fri at 515-212-7379
We discourage coming in person without an appointment as we may be unable to help you. Our office space is shared with other counselors, but they are unable to see your information and will likely be unable to help.