| Marriage and Family Therapists of New York |
I have never been for therapy before. What is therapy like?
Therapy is talking to a qualified individual in a safe nurturing environment. For individuals, therapy is working
through issues that are problematic to an individual. For couples, therapy is uncovering the couple's cycle of
interaction, their dynamic, and learning to understand and change that dynamic. It is also enhancing the positive
aspects of the relationship. For families, therapy is assisting all family members to feel heard so that they can
explore the negative cycles of interaction. In some cases structural change is necessary; in other situations, the
therapy is more solution focused.
There is an initial session where the therapist will assess how much of a crisis the family is in, or how severe the
relationship issue is. Next a therapeutic plan will be developed that will be discussed with the client, couple or family
during the second session. After the second session then, therapy enters the initial stages. This is when the
therapist and client are getting to know each other. Here the client starts to relax and feel safe with the therapist.
The next stage is the working stage. This is when the actual work of therapy begins. Clients may be given homework
assignments. They may be asked to journal what is good in the relationship or what has changed in the past week.
The ending stages of therapy often involve maintenance of the changed behaviors and interactions.
How do I know that you are qualified to do therapy?
Be an educated consumer. Ask the therapist for a listing of his or her qualifications. A therapist who holds a
Ph.D. has obtained the highest degree a university gives. However, if the Ph.D. is in microbiology, the person
holding that degree probably is not trained to help you with your relationship. So, it is important that the therapist
hold a Ph.D. in one of the social sciences (Psychology, Sociology, Social Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy,
Social Work, Counseling, Mental Health Counseling).
A person who holds an Masters Degree in Social Work (M.S.W.) is qualified to do social work. These persons often
do therapy and are then called a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). They may have additional training in
Marriage and Family Therapy. Ask them if they do. For more information on social workers, please view
http://nasw.org.
Marriage and Family Therapy is very different from Individual Therapy. A MFT has a degree from a university giving
specialized training in this field. Many other programs of training in the social sciences often give but one course in
Marriage and Family Therapy whereas a program giving out a specific degree in MFT will have at least 45 credits in
this field. You can explore http://www.aamft.org for more information and education about the field.
All therapists working under MFT NY have graduate training in marriage and family therapy either from a university
or a specialized training school. Several individuals in the MFT NY Team are pioneers in the field, having been
instrumental in influencing its direction. They have also been instrumental in the fight for licensure in NYS. Since
MFTs were recently licensed in NYS, MFT NY therapists either are already licensed as MFTs or hold a permit to
practice under the careful supervision of a supervisor while they complete the necessary requirements for licensure.
How long are the therapy sessions?
Sessions are 50 minutes once per week. As the therapy progresses, the client and therapist may decide to schedule
the therapy sessions once every other week and then eventually once per month.
I am depressed because of my relationship. Does this mean I will be in therapy for the next fifteen years?
Absolutely not. Traditionally the more psycho-analytically based therapies were longer term. For a whole host of
reasons, managed care being one, the more recent therapies are more focused on the here and now and on
solving the problem or issue rather than probing into why the issue arose in the first place. At MFT NY the therapy is
individualized. In some cases a more in-depth approach is requested. For the most part, therapy is brief, lasting
about 25 sessions. This varies according to individuals, couples and families. People work and explore differently.
Some individuals/couples work faster than others.
Do you accept insurance?
At the end of each therapy session, you are provided with what is called a "super bill." This is a receipt that can be
submitted to your insurance provider for reimbursement if you want to apply for out of network coverage. It lists the
therapist's name, license number, length of session code, and the diagnosis code. In other words, it contains all the
information necessary for your insurance company to reimburse you. It is a good idea to call your insurance
company at the beginning of therapy and ask them if they reimburse for out of network providers. All managed care
companies have direct access to your case and your treatment. This has a direct impact on confidentiality. MFT NY
respects confidentiality.
I am part of a couple but we are gay. Do you see gay couples?
All couples who are in committed relationship are seen by the MFT NY staff. This includes premarital couples,
engaged couples, heterosexual couples, and gay and lesbian couples.
Therapy is talking to a qualified individual in a safe nurturing environment. For individuals, therapy is working
through issues that are problematic to an individual. For couples, therapy is uncovering the couple's cycle of
interaction, their dynamic, and learning to understand and change that dynamic. It is also enhancing the positive
aspects of the relationship. For families, therapy is assisting all family members to feel heard so that they can
explore the negative cycles of interaction. In some cases structural change is necessary; in other situations, the
therapy is more solution focused.
There is an initial session where the therapist will assess how much of a crisis the family is in, or how severe the
relationship issue is. Next a therapeutic plan will be developed that will be discussed with the client, couple or family
during the second session. After the second session then, therapy enters the initial stages. This is when the
therapist and client are getting to know each other. Here the client starts to relax and feel safe with the therapist.
The next stage is the working stage. This is when the actual work of therapy begins. Clients may be given homework
assignments. They may be asked to journal what is good in the relationship or what has changed in the past week.
The ending stages of therapy often involve maintenance of the changed behaviors and interactions.
How do I know that you are qualified to do therapy?
Be an educated consumer. Ask the therapist for a listing of his or her qualifications. A therapist who holds a
Ph.D. has obtained the highest degree a university gives. However, if the Ph.D. is in microbiology, the person
holding that degree probably is not trained to help you with your relationship. So, it is important that the therapist
hold a Ph.D. in one of the social sciences (Psychology, Sociology, Social Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy,
Social Work, Counseling, Mental Health Counseling).
A person who holds an Masters Degree in Social Work (M.S.W.) is qualified to do social work. These persons often
do therapy and are then called a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). They may have additional training in
Marriage and Family Therapy. Ask them if they do. For more information on social workers, please view
http://nasw.org.
Marriage and Family Therapy is very different from Individual Therapy. A MFT has a degree from a university giving
specialized training in this field. Many other programs of training in the social sciences often give but one course in
Marriage and Family Therapy whereas a program giving out a specific degree in MFT will have at least 45 credits in
this field. You can explore http://www.aamft.org for more information and education about the field.
All therapists working under MFT NY have graduate training in marriage and family therapy either from a university
or a specialized training school. Several individuals in the MFT NY Team are pioneers in the field, having been
instrumental in influencing its direction. They have also been instrumental in the fight for licensure in NYS. Since
MFTs were recently licensed in NYS, MFT NY therapists either are already licensed as MFTs or hold a permit to
practice under the careful supervision of a supervisor while they complete the necessary requirements for licensure.
How long are the therapy sessions?
Sessions are 50 minutes once per week. As the therapy progresses, the client and therapist may decide to schedule
the therapy sessions once every other week and then eventually once per month.
I am depressed because of my relationship. Does this mean I will be in therapy for the next fifteen years?
Absolutely not. Traditionally the more psycho-analytically based therapies were longer term. For a whole host of
reasons, managed care being one, the more recent therapies are more focused on the here and now and on
solving the problem or issue rather than probing into why the issue arose in the first place. At MFT NY the therapy is
individualized. In some cases a more in-depth approach is requested. For the most part, therapy is brief, lasting
about 25 sessions. This varies according to individuals, couples and families. People work and explore differently.
Some individuals/couples work faster than others.
Do you accept insurance?
At the end of each therapy session, you are provided with what is called a "super bill." This is a receipt that can be
submitted to your insurance provider for reimbursement if you want to apply for out of network coverage. It lists the
therapist's name, license number, length of session code, and the diagnosis code. In other words, it contains all the
information necessary for your insurance company to reimburse you. It is a good idea to call your insurance
company at the beginning of therapy and ask them if they reimburse for out of network providers. All managed care
companies have direct access to your case and your treatment. This has a direct impact on confidentiality. MFT NY
respects confidentiality.
I am part of a couple but we are gay. Do you see gay couples?
All couples who are in committed relationship are seen by the MFT NY staff. This includes premarital couples,
engaged couples, heterosexual couples, and gay and lesbian couples.
Relationship, Couple, or Family Issues Single Parent Household Issues
Pre-Marital Counseling Issues Around a Family Business
Chronic Illness Sexual Abuse
Anxiety Incest
Depression Anger Issues
Substance Abuse Violence in the Couple or Family
Sexual Problems Divorce or Family Transitions
Communication Problems Bereavement
Parenting Issues Adolescent Issues
Feelings of Isolation Self Esteem or Self Worth
Remarriage
Pre-Marital Counseling Issues Around a Family Business
Chronic Illness Sexual Abuse
Anxiety Incest
Depression Anger Issues
Substance Abuse Violence in the Couple or Family
Sexual Problems Divorce or Family Transitions
Communication Problems Bereavement
Parenting Issues Adolescent Issues
Feelings of Isolation Self Esteem or Self Worth
Remarriage
People pursue therapy for many different reasons. Therapy can be helpful for thinking something through
with a person who is experienced in seeing patterns in a person's life. It can also be helpful when an
individual has an issue that they are interested in solving. Therapy can be seen as going for consultations
(second opinions), solving issues or problems, or exploring motivations for behaviors.
with a person who is experienced in seeing patterns in a person's life. It can also be helpful when an
individual has an issue that they are interested in solving. Therapy can be seen as going for consultations
(second opinions), solving issues or problems, or exploring motivations for behaviors.
| Why Do People Pursue Therapy? |
| Reasons people give for going for therapy |
I have never been for therapy before. What is therapy like?
How do I know that you are qualified to do therapy?
How long are the therapy sessions?
Do you accept insurance?
I am part of a couple but we are gay. Do you see gay couples?
How do I know that you are qualified to do therapy?
How long are the therapy sessions?
Do you accept insurance?
I am part of a couple but we are gay. Do you see gay couples?
| Tell Us Your Questions |
To schedule an appointment call or
E-Mail us at jatwood@optonline.net
E-Mail us at jatwood@optonline.net
| 516-764-2526 |
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542 Lakeview Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 19 West 34th Street, New York, NY 62 Storry Hill Rd., Kerhonkson, NY 12446
© 2007 Individual Counseling Site By: Joan D. Atwood
© 2007 Individual Counseling Site By: Joan D. Atwood
| Marriage and Family Therapy of New York |