Last week I started answering questions I have received about the process of starting therapy and what to expect in therapy. Today, I am continuing this blog with more questions I have received. If you have any questions that were not answered by my blog posts or website please feel free to reach out to me by calling me at (916) 425-7733 or emailing me at alicia.mittleman@gmail.com.
Q: How long am I going to have to go to theapy for?
A: How long you are in therapy is up to you. Some people find that coming to see me weekly for 10-12 weeks helps them through their problems and achieving their goals. Other people start out seeing me on a weekly basis for a month or two and then come in every few weeks until they meet their goals. I have a few patients who enjoy coming in for weekly visits with me and plan to do so long term. Other patients let me know that they want to see me once a month long term. If you are utilizing health insurance to see me, your insurance company may dictate how often you can come in for treatment. You will want to check with your insurance company prior to starting treatment to find out what their policy is.
Q: Do you prescribe medicine?
A: I am not able to prescribe medicine as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. If you express an interest in taking psychotropic medication, I will help you navigate finding a psychiatrist or primary care doctor who is able to prescribe medication.
Q: What kind of therapy do you specialize in?
A: I specialize in working with couples who are dealing with relationship issues, individuals who are dealing with stress from relationships or other life stressors, individuals who are facing chronic medical conditions or infertility, teenagers who are having family issues, and patients dealing with grief and loss.
Q: Will I ever get better?
A: The majority of patients I see meet their treatment goals during our time together. If I feel that you are not making sufficient progress with me I will talk to you about referring you to another therapist who might better meet your needs. During our time together, I make a point of continuously reviewing your goals and keeping you on track to make the most of our time together.
