Making the decision to start counseling can be a challenging and an uncomfortable process. Taking the first step towards getting help can be the most difficult part about this new journey. At SkyLife Wellness we understand that choosing counseling and a counselor isn't always an easy process, but we would like to reassure you that you are taking a giant step in the direction towards better health, balance, awareness and happiness.

 

Many people have questions about how the counseling process works. Therapists at SkyLife Wellness understand that clients all have very different experiences with counseling. We want to help you feel less anxious and develop a greater understanding about counseling and how it works at SkyLife Wellness.

 

If you have others, please don't hesitate to contact us. We offer phone consultations and would be more than happy to answer any questions you have: Email or Call.

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Why do people choose to go to counseling?

People choose counseling for a variety of reasons. Sometimes life or recent changes can seem so overwhelming that it can feel difficult to manage. Counseling can help with coping through difficult moments and situations in our lives and better prepare us for future difficulties.

 

Many people believe that you must have a mental illness or be “crazy” in order to go to counseling. This just isn’t true. A large percentage of people, at some point in their lives, will experience heightened anxiety, increased irritability and anger, depression, become concerned about a loved one or become concerned about their own mental health. You may have worries about starting a new job or wondering about what to do in a relationship. Or you have experienced trauma, divorce, death of a loved one and find yourself struggling with whom to talk to, experience new and worrisome thoughts and feelings and feel confused about how to move on. Or you have lingering questions from childhood that is impacting you current life circumstances or you want to just become more aware about yourself and your life choices. Counseling can help integrate balance and awareness and help you create strategies and solutions to life’s complications. The therapists at SkyLife Wellness are unrelated to other people in your life and therefore hold a nonbiased presence and focus solely on you. Counseling is unique because it is about you!

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Who needs counseling?

The stigma attached to counseling has dissipated over the years, however, the unfortunate reality remains that there are a lot of misconceptions about the counseling process. These common misconceptions have only been perpetuated by the media's inaccurate representation or "modeling" of the counseling process. You don’t have to be diagnosed with a mental illness to attend counseling and you are not “crazy”. Counseling is simply for those who want to improve their life.

 

The truth is, counseling is beneficial for EVERYONE! It doesn't have to take years to start experiencing the benefits of counseling. There is nothing wrong with someone who is asking for help. In fact, here at SkyLife Wellness we believe it takes courage to ask for help! At SkyLife Wellness, we do not believe that we are the experts of your life and we are not here to tell you “what to do”. We are here to listen, respond and together create strategies and help you develop your own decisions.

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What are some benefits of counseling?

• Stress relief

• Reduction of anxiety

• Mental clarity

• Decreased symptoms of depression

• Increased self-confidence and self-esteem

• Trauma resolution

• Regaining emotional balance

• Greater connection to self and others

• Increased intimacy with self and others

• Ability to set better boundaries

• Improved communication with others (especially true for family counseling)

• Increased assertiveness

• Increased creativity

• Increased pleasure in relationships

• Decreased behavioral issues for children and teens

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Who will know what we discuss?

We understand that it is difficult to discuss sensitive subjects with us. We keep strict confidentiality with our clients. Confidentiality means that most of what we talk about is kept between you and your therapist. However, several limitations exist that breach confidentially that will be discussed in your first session. These limitations include: disclosure of child or elder abuse or neglect, subpoena or court order, if we believe you are a threat or a risk to yourself or others, a threat to national security or if we would have to call 911 or emergency services while you are in session. If any of these situations occur, we will discuss it together and make a plan of action.

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Will I know what you are discussing with my child or adolescent?

Similarly to you, your child/teen wants privacy too. They want to feel comfortable in knowing many of their secrets stay secrets between us. However, the limitations of confidentiality stated above still apply to every session no matter the age. Parents usually are anxious to know what transpired during session so they are better able to support their child or teen. Parent consultations are offered in which the therapist and the parent(s) can discuss themes of therapy (overall what the therapist is observing in session) and suggestions are presented on how the parent can work with the child or teen. In the case with adolescents, sometimes they are present for these consultations. While you may not know everything that is happening in play therapy or counseling with your adolescent, you will be included in the process. You are the best instrument in your child’s life and our belief at SkyLife Wellness is to strengthen the bond between you and your child.

 

How long does Counseling/Play Therapy take?

This is a very common question and a difficult one to answer. Every person, including children, are different and respond to counseling in a different way. Counseling/play therapy entails trust, understanding and emotional connection. All of these take time. One person can come for a few weeks and another person may come for several months to years. Most clients have stated that they felt some relief within a few sessions. Your therapist will monitor your progress and want to know if you have concerns regarding your growth.

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What is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a way in which children can express their thoughts, experiences and feelings through the medium of play. When an adult is having a problem it is often helpful for them to talk to a therapist or a close friend. Most children don’t have the ability to express themselves with words, so it is difficult for them to talk about their troubles.

The therapist uses therapeutic activities such as sandtray, art, music, crafting or directive activities. Play therapy is a process of the therapist and the child building a trusting relationship, the child revealing and working through their problems, coming to a resolution, and practicing new skills.

The therapist doesn't drill the child with questions, but rather allows the child to express themselves in the present. Play therapy is a good fit for most children aged 3 to 11, but can also be used with adolescents in a modified setting usually called Activity Therapy. Play therapy is used for a variety of problems and diagnoses.

Including by not limited to:

• Behavior problems such as aggression or meltdowns

• Family conflict

• Anxiety and depression

• Refusing to go to school

• Withdrawn and isolation

• Trauma 

• Anger

• Concerns with school behaviors such as interrupting others and low academic performance

• Difficulty with peers

• Coping with life-changing events such as divorce or death

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Research in Play Therapy Suggests that Play Therapy can improve many aspects of a child's life including affective, interpersonal, academic and overall functioning.   Click to learn more.

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What is Sandtray Therapy?

Sandtray therapy is a method used in counseling and play therapy. It can be helpful for all ages and families. Sandtray therapy involves a special sandbox and small figurines. Sometimes you might not have words or retain awareness for some of the complexities in your life. Sandtray therapy is a great way to target unconscious processes.

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What do all these credentials mean & why are they important when searching for a counselor?

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Ph.D.

Doctorate of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision a rigorous 89 credit hour graduate program that involved intensive course work, practicum work, co-teaching graduate level courses, supervising Master's students, a comprehensive final exam, and a 6 part internship. This program also included a 2 year research study dissertation and defense. 

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M.Ed.

Master of Education in Clinical Counseling a 60 credit hour graduate program that involved practicum work as well as a 600 hour intensive internship experience. Courses included crisis counseling, counseling theories, play therapy, ethics, multicultural counseling, adolescent counseling and human development.

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LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor: This important credential is granted by Texas and requires a passing score on the NCE (National Counselor Exam) and 3,000 hours of clinical experience with 100 hours of supervision.

 

LPC-S

Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor: This credential is granted by Texas to Licensed Professional Counselors who have the ability to supervise those seeking their LPC accreditation. An LPC-S credential requires an active license to practice professional counseling in Texas, must have held the license in good standing for a minimum of 3 years, and an additional 40 hours of training in the supervision of professional counseling or mental health services.

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LPC-A

Licensed Professional Counselor Associate: In Texas, an LPC-Associate is a temporarily licensed professional counselor. This means that the associate possesses at least a Master's degree in counseling or related field (including supervised field experiences, "practicum") and have successfully passed the National Counselor Exam (NCE). The associate then applied and were accepted for the temporary license. In the state of Texas, this means the associate must remain in Supervision for the first 3,000 hours of their career before upgrading to an LPC credential that allows independent (unsupervised) practice. An LPC-A is not a Student or inexperienced they are in a temporarily licensed stage. 

 

RPT

Registered Play Therapist: Granted by the Association for Play Therapy. This credential requires 150 hours of specific play therapy training, 500 hours of play therapy experience and 50 hours of supervision.

 

CACREP

Council for Counseling Accreditation and Related Educational Programs: The Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes CACREP as an independent agency that ensures that academic rigor is held to high national standards