SEEKING HELP
Do you have a question that you’d like to ask? We’re committed to giving our clients the best care and experience we can. There’s no such thing as a bad question when it comes to mental health. It is always ok to ask for help.
The information provided below can help you to determine when to seek help.
Do you have questions about the process of getting started with counseling or therapy services?
Iowa Family Counseling is in-network with several insurance companies as well as offering self-pay packages.
While most of our forms will be sent to you via our Patient Portal prior to your initial visit, our required consents and forms can also be viewed online.
WHAT IS THERAPY?
Therapy is also known as psychotherapy or counseling. Therapy (or Counseling) is the process of working with a licensed therapist, who uses research-based techniques to help people work through difficult or problematic feelings, behaviors, relationships, and other issues.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THERAPY SESSIONS?
Initial visits are typically 60 min long, with follow-up visits ranging between 30 and 60 minutes. Typically, sessions occur once per week, however, treatment frequency and duration will be discussed at the initial assessment.
At your first appointment, we will complete the necessary paperwork including consents, releases of information, and insurance information.
We will have a conversation that covers topics including types of symptoms, the severity of symptoms, support systems, resources, and briefly touch on family social history. We will also discuss treatment needs, goals, duration, and frequency of services.
ARE YOU ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS?
We are accepting new clients, but do currently have a waitlist for services. The wait time to receive services ranges from a week or more to a few months and depends on a few factors. These factors include scheduling availability and alignment between your schedule and therapist availability and specialty and openness to teletherapy/virtual sessions.
If you would like to be placed on our waitlist for services, please add your information (and/or intended client's information), using the link below and a staff member will reach out to you to follow up with you. Please note that being added to our waitlist does not constitute a client/therapist relationship.
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN TO SEEK MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FOR MYSELF OR A LOVED ONE?
Each mental health condition has its own set of signs and symptoms.
In general, however, professional help may be warranted if you or a loved one experiences:
-
Marked change in personality, eating or sleeping patterns
-
Inability to cope with problems or daily activities
-
Strange or extreme ideas
-
Excessive anxiety
-
Prolonged depression or loss of interest or enjoyment
-
Thinking or talking about suicide
-
Substance abuse
-
Extreme mood swings or excessive anger, hostility or violent behavior
Many people who have mental health conditions consider their signs and
symptoms a normal part of life or avoid treatment out of shame or fear.
If you're concerned about your mental health or a loved one's mental health, don't hesitate to seek advice.
WHAT DO I DO IF I AM IN CRISIS?
Iowa Family Counseling is not a crisis facility and not available at all times.
If you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency, please contact
an emergency service provider, call 911 or go to the nearest
emergency room. Below is a list of helpful numbers to have on-hand.
-
Domestic Violence Intervention Program at (800) 373-1043
-
Crisis Center of Johnson County 24-Hour Crisis Line at 319-351-0140
-
Iowa Warm Line (5-10PM/7 days per week) at 1-844-775-9276
-
Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222
-
Nationwide Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or 911 locally
-
Chat Crisis Services via IMAlive.org or CrisisChat.org
-
Text Crisis Services: START to 741741
HOW IS TALKING TO A THERAPIST OR COUNSELOR DIFFERENT THAN TALKING TO A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER?
Close friends and family members are an essential part of your mental
well-being and can help a great deal. The difference between a trusted friend
or family member is extensive professional training in many strategies that can
help you or your loved one. Mental health care professionals have the skills
and the ability to help people who have encountered difficult experiences
such as:
-
anxiety
-
depression
-
abuse
-
divorce
-
trauma
-
substance abuse
-
loss of a loved one
Additionally, mental health care providers are able to provide a safe place for people to be themselves while they work toward their goals.
