-What is a support group typically like?
-How do I become a new client?
-How long is an initial appointment?
-What are sessions like?
-Do you offer psychological testing or evaluations?
-How and where do you offer sessions?
-Can I get medication prescribed?
-Can I do EMDR virtually?
- What is a support group typically like?
A support group is a gathering of a small number of individuals, usually ranging from 6 to 12 participants. They come together under the guidance of a mental health professional or peer. The group setting offers a supportive and therapeutic environment in which individuals can delve into their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Moreover, they can strive for personal growth and healing while providing mutual support to one another.
- How do I become a new client?
The initial stage of becoming a new client involves scheduling a consultation, which grants you the chance to communicate your needs and inquire about any concerns. To arrange a phone consultation, feel free to reach out to us at (216) 767-9971 or email us at [email protected]. I am available to address your requests and address inquiries from Monday to Thursday, between 10 am and 7 pm, as well as on Saturday mornings. In case you contact us outside of these hours, or over the weekend, you can leave a message on our confidential voicemail, and I will respond when regular business hours resume.
Usually, the first appointment takes about 90 minutes. I'll send you some forms through email that you need to fill out before our first meeting. These forms are like basic info to help us get started. I kindly request that you fill out these forms within an hour before the scheduled appointment and return them via email.
Because each person has different issues and goals for our sessions, the experience will vary depending on the individual. In general, during our sessions, you can expect us to talk about what's currently happening in your life, share relevant parts of your personal history, and discuss any progress you've made or new insights you've gained from our previous sessions.
Depending on your specific needs, our sessions can be either short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, aimed at addressing more complex patterns or working on your personal growth. Regardless of the duration, it's common for us to schedule regular sessions, usually once a week.
Remember that your active involvement in the session process will greatly impact the results you achieve. The main goal of our sessions is to help you apply what you learn to your everyday life. This means I might suggest activities for you to do outside of our sessions, like reading relevant books, writing in a journal about certain topics, observing specific behaviors, or taking steps towards your goals.
People who seek these sessions, like yourself, are ready to make positive changes, open to new perspectives, and willing to take responsibility for their lives.
- Do you offer psychological testing or evaluations?
Unfortunately this task is outside of my practice as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. I can provide a list of places that offer these services.
- How and where do you offer sessions?
I offer the flexibility of virtual and in-person visits.
Virtual sessions are conducted through a secure telehealth system, and you'll receive the relevant links prior to each session. For those located in Northeast Ohio and Las Vegas, Nevada, I'm available for in-person appointments. I also enjoy exploring alternative settings like school visits during free periods, home visits, and community meetups, such as at a park.
Additionally, my goal is to facilitate in-person meetings every 2-3 months whenever feasible.
- Can I get medication prescribed?
Currently, I do not prescribe or manage medications in the State of Ohio. However, I can collaborate with your existing healthcare provider to facilitate this service if needed. It's important to note that I do have the authority to prescribe medications for my clients in Nevada when deemed necessary.
As a nurse practitioner, I offer education on subjects such as lab levels, pharmacogenetic testing, medications, nutrition, and exercise.
Taking a holistic approach, our discussions revolve around lifestyle modifications and exploring alternative practices.
- Can I do EMDR virtually?
Indeed, research indicates that EMDR is effective even in virtual settings. Studies have demonstrated that there are no notable differences in outcomes between virtual and in-person treatments.
However, state law and professional ethics require practitioners to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
* Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders requires practitioners to report to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.