FAQs
What is Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)?
Are People In Therapy "Crazy?"
Is Therapy Effective? Does therapy work?
Do You Accept My Insurance Plan?
How Long Does It Take To "Feel Better?"
How Will I Know If Therapy Is Working For Me?
What Can I Expect During My First Session?
How Long Do People Typically Remain In Therapy?
Which Is Better: Therapy Or Medication?
What Is The Difference Between A Psychologist And A Psychiatrist?
What If I Have ADHD Or Some Other Problem That Is Biologically Based: Will Therapy Help?
How Much Experience Do Your Clinicians Have?
What Forms Of Payment Do You Accept?
Do You Offer A Sliding Scale For Payment Of Your Services?
Do you perform Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE)?
Are services available to treat those with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)?
Will You Communicate With My Family Physician?
Are You Able To Participate In Special Education Meetings Or Other School Based Planning Sessions?
What does the Triangle Symbol mean?
What Is Therapy?
Therapy is a process where people can work through problems of living, emotional difficulties or mental health problems through a close alliance with a trained professional. Therapists utilize a wide variety of empirically validated treatments in order to help their clients resolve interpersonal, emotional, academic, work, and personal difficulties. Therapy can involve individuals, couples, families, and groups.
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What is Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the term used for a group of psychological treatments that are based on scientific evidence. These treatments have been proven to be effective in treating many psychological disorders. Cognitive and behavioral therapies usually are short-term treatments (i.e., often between 15-25 sessions) that focus on teaching clients specific skills. CBT is different from many other therapy approaches by focusing on the ways that a person's cognitions (i.e., thoughts), emotions, and behaviors are connected and affect one another. The basis of cognitive therapy is that thoughts can influence feelings, and that one's emotional response to a situation comes from one's interpretation of that situation. In cognitive therapy, clients learn to: Distinguish between thoughts and feelings. Become aware of the ways in which thoughts can influence feelings in ways that sometimes are not helpful. Learn about thoughts that seem to occur automatically, without even realizing how they may affect emotions. Evaluate critically whether these "automatic" thoughts and assumptions are accurate, or perhaps biased. Develop the skills to notice, interrupt, and correct these biased thoughts independently.
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Are People In Therapy "Crazy?"
Being in therapy does not mean that you are "crazy." In fact, it's pretty much the opposite: People who actively seek therapy are better adjusted than those who need therapy but don't try to find help. People seek therapy for a wide variety of reasons. Some people just want an open ear, outside support or an interested but objective person to "bounce ideas" off of. Other individuals find therapy for issues such as depression, anxiety, lack of motivation, marital problems, stress or anger.
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Is Therapy Effective? Does therapy work?
Yes. There is a tremendous amount of literature, research, and other data concluding that therapy is very effective; in fact recent studies have demonstrated that therapy is more effective than medication in helping people achieve lasting change. One well known Consumer Reports study from 1995 surveyed over four thousand people who reported that, without question, psychotherapy was successful in assisting people and improving their quality of life. The vast majority specifically said that therapy helped. Most people reported they were helped with the specific problems that brought them to therapy, even when those problems were quite severe. Almost everyone in Consumer Reports' survey who had sought help experienced some relief: Improvements that made them less troubled and their lives more pleasant. Clients reported that Therapy helped them to function better, improved their ability to relate well to others, to be productive at work and to cope with everyday stress. Treatment also enhanced "personal growth." Clients reported increased confidence and self-esteem, improved understanding of themselves, and more enjoyment of life.
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Do You Accept My Insurance Plan?
In most cases, Yes! We accept most insurance plans and do most of the paperwork for you. As of March, 2010 we accept: Aetna, GHI, MHN, HIP, Local 1199, Magnacare, OptumHealth, United Behavioral Health, CIGNA, United Healthcare, Value Options, Empire Blue Cross - Blue Shield, Oxford Outpatient Mental Health and many other plans. Marissa, our Office Manager and insurance specialist will be happy to provide you with all the details about your coverage. She is an expert in communicating with insurance companies. Marissa can be reached at our office (631) 427-6669.
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Do You See Children?
Yes. There are several therapists in our office who specialize in treating children. We treat children, adolescents, adults, and couples!
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How Long Does It Take To "Feel Better?"
Many clients report feeling better after the very first session! More practically, you should feel less anxious, less depressed and find yourself coping better with difficulties within five to ten sessions. You should feel that your problems are significantly under control within twenty sessions.
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How Will I Know If Therapy Is Working For Me?
Changes in how you feel, how you are dealing with life circumstances, and changes in behavior are generally self evident. Other people in your life, friends, family, spouses, and co-workers will often notice changes before you do.
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What Can I Expect During My First Session?
During your first session you and your therapist will discuss your reasons for seeking treatment, you will be asked for a little background information, and you and your therapist will begin to establish a plan to address your difficulties. Holtz Psychological Services therapists will make suggestions at the first session that will help you to start feeling better and approaching your problems NOW!
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How Long Do People Typically Remain In Therapy?
This varies considerably depending on what issues the individual wants to work on and also on personal factors. We encourage you to discuss your treatment plan with your therapist. On average our patients remain in treatment for approximately 20 to 30 sessions.
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Which Is Better: Therapy Or Medication?
This is not so much a question of which is better; the real question is whether or not medication is necessary. Medication is often a good adjunct to therapy and sometimes it is necessary for the treatment of certain conditions when symptoms are severe. In some instances medication may be necessary in order to help you to take advantage of psychotherapy, ideally working together. At Holtz Psychological Services each client is treated as an individual with an individually tailored treatment plan. You and your therapists will evaluate the need for medication together and if the two of you think that medication would be helpful, we will be happy to refer you to one of our medical colleagues.
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Is Therapy Confidential?
Yes! Everything that transpires between you and your therapist is confidential. We will only provide a very limited amount of information to your insurance company such as your diagnosis and dates of treatment. These are required for reimbursement. We will not speak with anyone or share any information on your behalf without your written permission. There are however, a few limitations to confidentiality: If your therapist believes that you are at risk and have an intention of attempting to commit suicide or endanger the welfare of a child, the therapist is required to break confidentiality and try to intervene on your behalf.
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What Is The Difference Between A Psychologist And A Psychiatrist?
Psychologists perform therapy, testing, evaluations and other clinical services. Psychiatrists are medical doctors that prescribe psychiatric medication.
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What If I Have ADHD Or Some Other Problem That Is Biologically Based: Will Therapy Help?
Yes. Therapy can be very helpful in learning how to cope, and how to function more effectively while living with a biologically based mental health problem. Although medications can be helpful, therapy fills in where medication leaves off; in helping you to develop ways of coping, new ways of feeling, improving relationships, and in developing new behavioral strategies to improve attention, concentration, and performance at work and at school.
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How Much Experience Do Your Clinicians Have?
Dr. Fred established Holtz Psychological Services over twenty years ago. Most therapists working in our offices have over fifteen years of experience in their specialties. Our Clinicians have a wealth of experience in a wide variety of specialties and remain current on important issues in the field.
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What Forms Of Payment Do You Accept?
Cash, personal checks, money orders and Paypal (additional service charge of 5% applies). Payments of fees for special evaluations and co-pays are due at the time of service.
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Do You Offer A Sliding Scale For Payment Of Your Services?
In some instances we are able to provide a sliding fee scale for services for those with no insurance coverage. Please contact our Office Manager, Marissa, to discuss your needs.
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What Are Your Office Hours?
We have therapists available from 8:00 AM until 10:00 PM Monday through Saturday. We can easily accommodate most people's scheduling needs.
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Will You Communicate With My Family Physician?
Yes, your therapist will be happy to establish contact with your doctors as needed in order to coordinate your care.
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Are You Able To Participate In Special Education Meetings Or Other School Based Planning Sessions?
We make every attempt possible to coordinate care with your child’s school. We will always provide feedback and relevant information to the school districts and may be available to participate in meetings via teleconference, schedule permitting. Charges may apply for professional time spent in meetings or on calls.
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Do you perform Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE)?
Yes we perform IEE's and work hard as client advocates working hand in hand with the school systems of our clients.
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Are services available to treat those with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)?
Yes we provide comprehensive services for those with PTSD, our trauma services are overseen by Adam Russo, who is a Certified Traumatologist.
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What does the Triangle Symbol mean?
The Triangle emblem is an “impossible figure,” an optical illusion. The figure was designed by Fred L. Holtz more than thirty years ago and was originally created simply to be thought provoking. HPS now uses the symbol to represent the three dimensions of the mind that need to be in balance for Psychological Well Being: Rational Thoughts, Healthy Range of Emotions, and Effective Behaviors. Therapy helps you achieve all of these.
