Dr. Susan A. Adams
Lighting a Candle in the Darkness of Despair
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Counseling Services

Providing counseling services for individual adults, couples, and adolescents that promote emotional, mental, social, and spiritual well being.  Morning, afternoon and evening appointments are available.

 

  • Potential issues.
  • Counseling fees.
  • What to expect from counseling.
  • How long will counseling last?
  • What to expect in the first session?
 
Potential Issues (not inclusive):
• Grief • Crisis Management
 
• Adult Survivors of Past Trauma & Abuse
(mental, physical, sexual, emotional, spiritual)
 

• Pre-marital  • Marital  • Couple

• Blended Family Issues  • Divorce Adjustment
 
 
• Communications   • Parenting  • Teens

• Life Adjustment Planning • Aging Struggles 

• Stress Management  • Goal Setting

 

Counseling Fees

Counseling sessions are $150 for intakes and $100 an hour thereafter. Clients are expected to pay for services at the end of the appointment.  Cash or personal check is accepted.  While you certainly may file with your insurance company for reimbursement of our session, I do not accept insurance payments at this time. Discussion of fee adjustment may be discussed at the first session (based on verified household income). 

What to Expect from counseling and how long will it last:

Many people are reluctant to come to counseling because they are not familiar with the counseling process.  During the first session, we will complete the required paperwork and talk about what brings you to counseling.  During this session, I will be be assessing my ability to effectively work with you and, in turn, you will be assessing your ability to work with me.  This is known as "fit".  At the end of the first session, I will provide some feedback about what I think some of the issues are (from my perspective), and I will provide you an opportunity to discuss your thoughts and ask any questions you might have of me. 
While we may discuss a potential number of sessions depending on the issue or issues you want to work on, you may choose to terminate counseling at any time.  I usually see clients once a week.As progress is maintained, we may gradually decrease the frequency of appointments until your success in therapy can be maintained without regular follow up visits. Each client is different and each client's issues are unique to him or her.

Overall, you can typically expect between eight and fifteen sessions. This may appear to be a large investment in time and money, but there are few things that will have the impact on your quality of life that a healthy marriage and a positive outlook on life can have.

If we decide that we will continue to working together, we will discuss what the counseling plan will initially be.  Certainly this plan may change as we continue to work together, but it will give both of us an idea of where we are going.  Throughout our counseling relationship, you will always have the option to change the counseling goals, decline to participate in some therapeutic activity I suggest, or decide to terminate counseling.  After all, this is your therapy time.  

What to Expect in the first session:

You will need to arrive about 15 minutes early for your first appointment. You will be asked to fill out some paperwork and sign an agreement which outlines some of the terms of the counseling arrangement. The first session will last from 60-90 minutes.  Subsequent session are planned to last 50 minutes.

For couples counseling, I will initially see the couple together; however I may spend some time with each one individually (either during the first session or at the next appointment).  This is an option to help ensure that I have an understanding of the problem identified from each perspective.)

In cases of adolescent counseling, I will spend time during the first session with the adolescent(s) and parent(s) to discuss the nature of the problem and gather some family data.  At least one parent must be present during this first session to complete appropriate paperwork.  If there is a divorce situation, please bring a copy of the divorce decree indicating the rights of each parent to verify legal authorization to secure counseling for the adolescent.   It is best if other children do not accompany parents  and adolescents to this appointment to avoid distraction. After the initial session, family members may be involved at various stages of therapy and will be determined as therapy progresses.