What does my diagnosis mean?

At Summit Family Therapy, we put an emphasis on recovery, not pathology.  A diagnosis, such as anxiety or depression, is just a snap shot of your current symptoms.  It is not necessarily permanent and is never a negative reflection of your personal worth or character.  We use honest and accurate diagnosing to communicate with your insurance company the severity of your situation in the hopes that they will cover your sessions.

I am worried my counselor will judge me.

To be frank, we live in an often judgmental culture where people have strong opinions about all kinds of things.  It is very normal for a new client to worry about being judged harshly by their therapist. 

We are committed to creating a relationship with every client based on mutual respect, understanding, and openness.  In our dedication to the creation of a safe space for all humans, you can expect us to be welcoming and supportive.  We do not push our own personal beliefs on clients and we make every effort to work within each client's own worldview, religion, or faith system.  We pledge to honor and respect any similarities and differences inherent in our relationship with you and value this relationship as an important piece of providing culturally competent services.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, or other protected classes under the law.

I am not sure if you treat my issue.

We are willing to work with any client who is within the scope of our counselors' training and individual competency.  With your first phone call to our clinic, we will ask a few basic questions to get you connected to the right counselor for your needs.

How long will I need counseling?

You will decide with your therapist the amount of counseling that is right for your situation.  Once you meet your goals, there is no need to continue counseling.  Our clients are usually seen on a weekly basis, but we will adjust that together base on your health needs.

You will be actively involved in creating treatment goals with your therapist.

What is your approach to counseling?

Each of our therapists has unique areas of expertise, which is why we work so hard to match you with the right person.  We view your presenting problems in the context of your relationships.  Our team members are trained in many evidence-based practices, such as EMDR, Emotionally Focused, Experiential Therapy, Gottman Method, Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Brief (SFBT), Cognitive Behavioral, Play Therapy, and Trauma Focused therapies. Learn more about each therapist on the Meet Our Therapists page.

May I bring my emotional support animal (ESA) to my session?

Unfortunately, Emotional Support Animals are not allowed in our clinic. ESA letters are typically issued by physicians and mental health professionals who may not be familiar with the specific behaviors of the animals. Furthermore, it is highly unlikely that licensed and certified dog evaluators have conducted assessments of the ESA's behavior. Consequently, there is a potential risk of the ESA displaying aggressive or unpredictable behavior when exposed to new stimuli. Our utmost concern is the safety of our clients and staff, especially those who have experienced dog-related trauma and may feel threatened by ESAs, particularly if the ESA reacts unexpectedly to new individuals. Additionally, ESAs can serve as distractions for our clinic's two working dogs, which could pose a significant risk, especially for a service dog responsible for assisting an individual with a disability.

In contrast, Service and Facility (Therapy) Dogs have undergone rigorous training that exposes them to a wide range of settings. This training desensitizes these dogs to new and potentially distressing stimuli, ensuring that they can respond calmly and without aggression. Service animals and facility animals that have successfully met accredited standards are welcomed in our clinic.