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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I am in crisis or need to speak with someone after hours? If you are in danger of any kind, call 911 or Mobile Crisis Services at 634-8995 right away. If your distress can be helped by a brief telephone conversation and cannot wait for an appointment during business hours, call 423-875-0040 and press “0” to leave a voice page and your therapist will return your call within two hours.
What will my first visit be like? Expect to spend about half of your first session exchanging information and creating your plan for change. Your therapist will ask many questions in order to understand your needs and may ask you to sign releases so that information can be obtained from other sources. It is important to arrive at least 15 minutes early for your first appointment to complete forms and consents before your session begins.
What are my therapist’s qualifications and what do all those letters mean? Linda Graham earned a Master of Science degree in Community Counseling (MS) and licensure from the State of Tennessee as a Professional Counselor (LPC) with the Mental Health Service Provider Endorsement (MHSP). National certification as a counselor (NCC) means that your therapist met the education and experience requirements of the National Board for Certified Counselors in addition to passing a comprehensive exam. Board Certification as a Clinical Hypnotherapist (NBCCH) means that she received extensive training from an accredited program and met the standards of the National Board. Your therapist has also completed intensive training in grief/bereavement counseling, gender/sexual orientation issues, trauma and posttraumatic stress, relationship counseling, and has over 20 years of working experience in the mental health field.
What types of treatment will be used? As part of your personal plan for change, a combination of approaches and techniques may be used. Some examples include cognitive-behavioral talk therapy, hypnotherapy, Eye Movement Integration (EMI), relaxation training, Brief Solution-Focused Therapy, guided imagery, and biofeedback.
What is cognitive-behavioral talk therapy? This approach focuses on how we see and interpret people, experiences, and events in our lives and how these perceptions influence our behavior. The idea is that if you change the way you perceive things then your behavior and feelings will change naturally. An example would be assuming that a co-worker is angry with you because she did not greet you as she does every other morning. Cognitive therapy aims to help you understand the source of your negative view and look at other possible choices.
What is hypnotherapy? The National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists (www.natboard.com) describes hypnosis this way: “Hypnosis is a state of inward attention and focused concentration.” You have very likely had the experience of trance at some time in your life. It may have been the time you didn’t hear the phone ringing because you were absorbed in a good book or it could have been when you drove home safely but don’t remember the trip because you were thinking about something else. Hypnotherapy strengthens and develops your natural ability to focus and tune out environmental distractions as a tool for self-discovery.
Will I remember everything I said or did? In almost all cases, the answer is yes! Here is a more detailed explanation from the NBCCH website (www.natboard.com): “The idea that people will do out of the ordinary things is perpetuated by stage hypnotism shows. Stage hypnotists select people from the audience who are willing to be responsive, but more importantly, may have exhibitionist tendencies and go along for the show.” Except in very unusual circumstances, people can only experience a hypnotic trance state voluntarily and can “snap out of it” at anytime. Your therapist will be glad to answer any questions that you may have. It is very important to feel safe for any therapy to be effective.
What is Eye Movement Integration? EMI is a very gentle method for reducing the distress of trauma and other upsetting experiences or feelings. Your therapist will lead you through a series of eye movements as you explore your feelings in a guided visualization. A unique feature of this technique is that it can be very effective without repeatedly re-experiencing traumatic memories. In many cases, this technique gives relief by simply following the therapist’s instructions and processing the changes internally without describing the trauma or situation in detail. Clients have described the result of EMI as remembering traumatic events with almost no emotional distress and the sensation of recalling a dream or something in the far past.
What is relaxation training? It is surprising how many of us have difficulty doing something as natural as relaxing. When we do not take some time out every now and then, accumulated stress can begin to negatively affect every aspect of our lives. The ability to slow down, even for a few minutes, is vital to a healthy, happy life.
What is Brief Solution-Focused Therapy? Traditional psychotherapy focuses on an individual’s inner dynamics as the source of behavior and functioning in general. An example could be confronting past childhood experiences of feeling unloved to address difficulties with relationships in the present. Solution-focused therapy works to resolve a specific, current problem in a short period without emphasis on past feeling and events. For current relationship difficulties, the focus is on changing present thinking and behavior without attempting to resolve past events. This approach is very effective for individuals and couples who are “stuck” on a particular issue.
What is guided imagery? All of us have experienced daydreams and fantasies. This technique puts your imagination to work under the guidance of your therapist to create mental stories and metaphors to encourage relaxation, increase insight, enhance stress reduction, and help with pain as well as other benefits.
What is biofeedback? Non-invasive sensors that measure heart rate and galvanic skin response are place on three fingers and connected to a laptop computer. Software converts information from the sensors into images so you can actually see your progress in relaxation or increasing energy.
How long will therapy take? This varies from person to person and also with the issue to be addressed, but generally, positive results can be achieved in three to six sessions. In some cases, a single session is adequate. You and your therapist will discuss this during your first visit and create a plan for change. Each session will last for 50.
How much will it cost? Your therapist accepts most insurance reimbursement, including TennCare, and will negotiate a reasonable payment for those who do not have insurance. Your therapist believes strongly that therapy cannot be effective without collaboration and a sense of personal responsibility. When you become a therapy client, you are committing yourself to keep appointments, abide by the payment arrangement, and communicate about any changes.
You have made a courageous decision to seek help and we recognize that therapy can seem intimidating at first. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. Questions are always welcome and we want you to understand, feel safe, and be comfortable with any treatment you receive.
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