COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

FIND ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR THERAPY SERVICES, TREATMENT METHODS, ASSESSMENTS, AND HEALTH EVALUATIONS.

What if I have an emergency?

The business office is staffed Monday-Thursday, 8:00am – 3:00pm (closed Friday-Sunday).

A monitored voice messaging system receives calls. The business offices closes on Fridays, weekends and all major holidays. Each therapist maintains their own scheduled appointment times, but therapist appointments are generally available between 9:00am and 5:00pm.

New Growth staff is dedicated to providing the best care possible for our clients. Each client should work with their therapist to identify how to obtain support during an emergency. If a mental health emergency develops, we encourage you to attempt to take one of the following steps:

  • Call 911
  • Call your Family Physician
  • Call Peninsula Behavioral Health at 360-457-0431, or the 24-hour crisis line at 360-452-4500.
  • Go directly to the emergency room at the hospital
  • Text Lifeline: Text HOME to 741741, usually takes less than 5 minutes for a Crisis Counselor to respond crisistextline.org.
What does the therapeutic process entail?

Typically the therapy process starts with an intake interview, which includes a review of the terms of Disclosure and Informed Consent, and continues with diagnostic protocols and the development of therapy goals in the form of a Treatment Plan, which is updated regularly. Therapeutic techniques are employed in line with presenting goals and issues, often including dialogue, relaxation, skill building, role modeling, reframing, and homework, to name a few. Therapy goals many be completed within 4-6 months when the focus is limited to resolving specific symptoms or problem areas, or longer if the focus of treatment is on more pervasive, long-standing difficulties. We generally like to see clients weekly at the onset of therapy, tapering as symptoms ease and progress is made.

Will professional therapy help me?
  • Therapy is an active, collaborative process between a client and clinician. It is our hope that our clients will participate in the change process in a purposeful and meaningful manner, as the road to change can be challenging and bumpy! We strive to provide skills that are client specific and work toward their goals, which may include stress management, behavioral activation to combat depression, anxiety reduction techniques, parenting plans and psychoeducation, among other clinically indicated treatment interventions.
  • Risks: Counseling is an intensely personal process that has many benefits; however, it can occur that an escalation of negative symptoms occurs in the short term as the process unfolds. This may include surfacing of unpleasant emotions or memories, feelings of heightened discomfort, increased tension in relationships, causing fear, doubt, or resistance. This is normal and can be tempered through discussion, as can frustrations that arise according to expectations and one’s sense of urgency.
  • Benefits: There are many benefits to therapy and clients are encouraged to consider the risks and benefits of therapy before committing. Some of the many benefits of therapy include improved awareness and insight, development of tools, skills, and coping mechanisms, reduction in symptomatology, greater confidence, better communication skills, emotional regulation, behavioral modification, and improved relations. Research has consistently supported the value of therapy over time.
What is therapy?

Psychotherapy is a journey of growth between a client and clinician, which is built upon a strong therapeutic alliance comprised of trust, mutual respect, empathy, and complete acceptance. The services used at New Growth include evidence based practices, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which targets unhelpful and problematic thoughts, negative emotional states, and maladaptive behavior patterns that may make one’s life smaller. Our clinicians strive to meet all clients where they are at while examining what concerns brought them to treatment. Unique client specific treatment plans are implemented to best serve our clients’ goals in a manner that is in alignment with their values. There are many benefits to therapy and clients are encouraged to consider the risks and benefits of therapy before committing. Some of the many benefits of therapy include improved awareness and insight, development of tools, skills, and coping mechanisms, reduction in symptomatology, greater confidence, better communication skills, emotional regulation, behavioral modification, and improved relations. Research has consistently supported the value of therapy over time.