Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get started with therapy?

 

1.  To get started, you can reach out directly to the therapist you think might be a good fit for your needs. Not sure who would be a good fit? You can reach out to our Patient Coordinator, Ariel.

2. Depending on the therapist, they may suggest a consultation or schedule an Intake Session to go over what is bringing you to seek therapy, potential ways they can help, as well as discuss what therapy would look like going forward.

3. After getting a consultation or an intake session setup, they will have you fill out the necessary paperwork via our Electronic Health Records (EHR) system, as well as verify your insurance benefits or means of payment. 

  • If you have not already verified your insurance benefits, please do so by calling the benefits line phone number (usually located on the back of your card)to check if you are (1) covered or In-Network to be seen by a therapist at Edges Wellness Center AND (2) if you have either individual and/or family therapy benefits. 

  • If you will be paying out of pocket, please let your therapist know.

4. If you’re using insurance and you haven’t already sent your therapist your insurance card via our EHR system, make sure to bring your insurance card to your appointment.

5. Log on or show up to your appointment at least 5 minutes prior to it start.

  • For your safety and privacy, please be sure to login to the therapy room using the link provided to you by your therapist. 

  • If you’re meeting in person, due to concerns about COVID-19 transmission, we ask that you wear a mask upon entering the clinic and utilize the hand sanitizer provided for your convenience; as outlined in our ‘Informed Consent for In-person Services during COVID-19 Public Health Crisis’ form.


FAQs about therapy

 

How long do sessions typically last?

Most sessions typically last between 45 to 53 minutes, with some sessions extending up to 90 minutes or more if there is a specialized trauma treatment protocol being used or is a relational or group session. 

How long will I need to keep coming to therapy?

The length of treatment can vary widely based on a number of factors including the type of things you want to address, how many issues you hope to address, how often you are able to come to therapy, and the amount of work you put in when collaborating with your therapist and your overall commitment to the therapy process. At any time, clients reserve the right to terminate therapy if they do not feel it is continuing to feel beneficial or would no longer like to continue. A therapist may also terminate therapy and make a referral if they feel it is more beneficial for the client. On the reverse, clients are welcome to continue therapy after meeting initial goals if they feel that they would like to keep therapy as one of their sources of support. This is called “maintenance.”

What should I expect at the first session?

​During your first session or the intake session you will have an opportunity to further discuss policies and client rights that were highlighted in paperwork you filled out before your session, and to ask any questions you may have about Edges Wellness and the therapist, as well as any concerns you might have. This is also the time to share about yourself and what you're looking for in therapy.

How do I know therapy is working? What if I’m feeling worse?

Therapy is a source of healing and, as with any other healing, may not be a straightforward or linear process. At times, it may feel as though there are steps back or regression while the overall trajectory may still be forward and toward progress. In addition, some forms of therapy may feel as though “things get worse before they get better” as you uncover difficult memories or painful emotions in the effort to address them. If you have concerns about the progression of treatment or have uncomfortable or unpleasant feelings you feel may go beyond growing pains of the therapeutic process, check in with your therapist and you can collaboratively assess how therapy is going and what you might need.

Do I need to do anything before or between sessions?

Before your first session, there will be some necessary paperwork to be filled out in advance. If you have questions about that paperwork, feel free to ask your therapist. Once you start therapy, some therapist may offer homework between sessions, which is designed to facilitate change outside of the therapy room.

What if something urgent comes up and it can’t wait until my next session?

Sometimes life brings unforeseen events our way and we may feel worried about waiting until our next session or need help immediately. If you feel you need a session sooner, you are welcome to reach out to your therapist and see if there is any sooner availability. As our therapists have other clients along with families, classes, or other engagements, it is not guaranteed that you will be able to get an earlier session even though you are welcome to ask. If you feel that you are in an emergency and require immediate assistance, do not contact your therapist and instead refer to your preferred emergency services such as Mobile Crisis Mental Health Services (Minnesota), Northwest Connections (Contracted Counties in Wisconsin), NAMI Crisis Resources (Minnesota & Wisconsin), The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, The Trevor Project (LGBTQIA+ youth resources), Trans Lifeline, or going to the closest emergency room (or ask someone to take you if needed).

My privacy is important to me. How do I know my confidentiality is completely protected?

 

Mental health providers are obligated under state and Federal law to protect your confidentiality fully except in a number of circumstances. 

The exceptions to this are related to our duties as mandated reporters. This means
that if a client is at risk of harming themselves or others, there might be circumstances under which the therapist might need to talk to someone else to ensure their client's or someone else's safety. Other circumstances under which information might be disclosed include abuse of minors or vulnerable adults, or being subpoenaed by a government agency, such as a court.

Further, if you want to use a third party payer to pay for therapy, such as insurance, they might be able to access your therapeutic information, from the diagnosis used to access treatment, to notes for specific sessions.

FAQs about your therapist

What do the letters after a therapist’s name mean?

The initials behind a therapist's name indicate their degree and licensure.  ​

PsyD, EdD, PhD: indicate that provider possess a doctoral degree

MD: indicates that provider is a medical doctor

MA or MS: indicate that provider possess a master's degree (Master’s of Art or Science)

 

The following are acronyms for licenses and what they represent:

LP: Licensed Psychologist

LPC: Licensed Professional Counselor

LPCC: Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

LICSW: Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker

LMFT: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

LAMFT or MFT-IT: Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (Minnesota) or Marriage and Family Therapist-In Training (Wisconsin)

SEP: Somatic Experiencing Practitioner

CST: Certified Sex Therapist

What is the difference between various licenses and credentials?

The various licenses indicate the specific training and credentials that an individual provider has obtained. For a provider who is pre-licensed such as LAMFT or MFT-IT, they are given a license by their appropriate state to practice therapy but are also being supervised by a fully licensed provider. After completing a number of hours and other requirements, those providers can become fully licensed themself. Field-based license differences, such as between social work, clinical counseling, and marriage and family therapy, come down to the field’s specific approach in their training and the perspective that field holds regarding mental health and relationships. Each license indicates a specific type of training. For example, family therapists (LAMFTs, LMFTs, MFT-IT and MFT Interns) are specifically trained to work with families and couples and are required to complete half of their clinical hours requirement working with relational systems to ensure competence in these areas. Other certifications, such as Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and Certified Sex Therapist, are additional areas of training and expertise that a therapist may choose to obtain in addition to their primary license.

What does it mean if my therapist is a practicum student?

A practicum student is a graduate student enrolled in either a Master or Doctoral clinical program who is supervised both through their program and their practicum site while they complete their studies.

How do I know my therapist is the right fit for me?

Some questions to keep in mind during and after your consultation or intake session: 

  • Do I feel heard? 

  • Were they able to answer my questions?

  • Do I feel comfortable enough with this person?  

  • "Do I like this person?” Why or why not? Would I be able to discuss this with them?