Why call?
There are many reasons why people consider our services. Some want information, some have unresolved questions about childhood, some are responding to unexpected changes and challenges in their life and others are searching for understanding, meaning and relationship. Our services help people find their strengths. We assist by encouraging individuals, families and communities to seek a balanced focus on recovery of health and well-being. We encourage individuals to become more genuine and authentic–supporting others to live closer to their values.
What can I expect?
You will be free to discuss your issues and problems in a confidential setting; you will be in a non-judgmental setting where you get to decide what you would like to talk about.
If possible, and sometimes it is not possible, individuals complete an Autobiography by answering questions they are sent prior to the first session. At the first session, clients will be asked what areas and issues they want to work on. Together, client and therapist will together decide what goals will be addressed and these will be included in a Treatment Plan which will guide the therapy work.
The initial session, where the Autobiography is reviewed, usually last 1.5 to 2.0 hours. Subsequent sessions are 50-55 minutes. Some need and desire weekly sessions, others prefer every other week. Others attend sessions once a month or every six weeks.
Will there be homework?
Between sessions participants are asked to think about what happened during the session. Some journal to record their progress. Some want and thrive on writing and art related assignments. Some may be encouraged to track dream images or symbols emerging from night time dreams or daily activities. At times, those in therapy may be asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy session, such as reading a relevant book, finishing an art task or keeping records of your progress.
What benefits can I expect?
Therapy is a way to resolve childhood hurts, resolve traumas from the past, reconsider life story issues and for developing a new personal narrative based on a healthier world view. Processing thoughts, feelings and ideas about difficult situations, remapping negative experiences and past events. Resolving conflict and relief of suffering.
Often empathy, compassion and understanding form a powerful transformative container for personal development, self-actualization and building sound and supportive community relationships. Seeking help is an act of opening up towards solutions. Sometimes asking for help brings tremendous gains. In addition, receiving help builds personal stamina which can lead to constructing healthy and long lasting relationships. Many times seeking help can reveal family conflicts and concerns. In this way, issues are addressed in a helping atmosphere. Even the aggravations of every day life can be channeled into personal growth and development. Each person’s level of benefit will vary based on their awareness and their ability to put these methods and skills into practice.
Some of the benefits include:
- Resolving trauma
- Claiming personal authority and personal power
- Developing the authentic self, becoming more genuine and real—living closer to your core values
- Exploring and discovering unconscious materials through art work, dream work or personal symbolism
- Building and improve a healthy relationship with your self
- Clarifying and reveal personal goals and values
- Developing tools to construct and maintain significant relationships
- Uncovering helpful solutions to problems and issues
- Exploring and reevaluating current coping strategies for success
- Learning to identify, express and coordinate the expression of feelings and ideas
- Expanding and enhancing relationship skills including verbal and non-verbal methods for listening and communicating respectfully
- Transitioning to healthier patterns and actions–constructing an improved outlook on living and loving
- Applying innovative problem solving
- Decreasing harsh judgement and guilt
- Using innovate and creative solutions to build self self esteem, self-efficacy, competence and confidence
- Gaining an ability to make effective and meaningful personal decisions, or exercising personal agency
What if I don’t know what my goals are for therapy?
During the initial interview you will have the opportunity to decipher what the conflicts, issues or problems might be. In therapy you will work with your therapist to chose which areas to work on and prioritize goals. Some people have fast therapy cycles and only require a few sessions and others have slower cycles and require more sessions. Again, this is decided, whether you will work and change slowly or more quickly by you with the guidance and support of the therapist. The treatment plan is usually established at the second session and will be changed and updated throughout the therapeutic process.
Do you accept insurance?
At this time, Robin Toler, ATR-BC, LAC, AIT-C does not accept insurance. Depending on the insurance company, some may provide reimbursement for services provided. Toler does have a sliding scale for those who qualify. For those who are interested in the sliding scale please contact our office. Pamela Dupont does accept insurance.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and their therapist. At no time will Robin Toler or any associate of our office disclose any information to any one, any agency or any institution without your explicit written permission (except under extreme circumstances, such as suspected child abuse, suspected elder abuse or an intent to inflict harm on others or yourself). In cases of court subpoena, this office will do everything it can to prevent information from being disclosed in any form.