| Do you feel overwhelmed? Are you considering | | | | minister, physician, chiropractor or another health |
| getting help to deal with your problems? | | | | professional. Call the Illinois or American Psychological |
| According to the National Institute of Mental Health, | | | | Association. Call a local university or college |
| more than 25 million Americans need professional help | | | | psychology department and speak with one of the |
| to deal effectively with feelings and problems that | | | | professors. You might also ask a nurse you happen to |
| seem beyond their control. These include problems | | | | encounter when getting other healthcare services. |
| with family, job loss, bereavement, depression, stress, | | | | What Should I Ask About when Considering who I |
| relationships and substance abuse. | | | | Should Choose...? |
| Those stresses and conflicts can be burdensome as | | | | Remember that a psychologist and you work together. |
| well as significantly debilitating; sometimes we need | | | | Personalities and rapport are important. Once the |
| outside help from a professional in order to work | | | | psychologists credentials and competence are verified, |
| through them. Using therapy, counseling, hypnosis and | | | | your level of personal comfort with him or her |
| personality testing, psychologists help millions of people | | | | becomes crucial; a good rapport is critical. It is |
| of all ages live healthier, more productive and higher | | | | important that you feel at ease. |
| quality lives. | | | | Questions To Ask... |
| Consider Therapy If... | | | | Are you a licensed to practice independently in this |
| 1. You feel a prolonged sense of powerlessness or | | | | state? What are the three types of cases you deal |
| sadness and your unhappiness continues looming over | | | | with the most and how many years have you been |
| you like a gray, dark and threatening cloud. | | | | practicing psychology? |
| 2. You are having abnormal difficulty fulfilling everyday | | | | What experience do you have in helping people |
| responsibilities and carrying-out tasks: For example, you | | | | specifically with my types of problems? |
| have a bad temper and your job performance and | | | | Are you certified as a diplomate (specialist) in any |
| marriage are suffering as a result. | | | | area--for example, working with children, families or |
| 3. You worry all the time, anticipate the worst or are | | | | substance abuse? |
| always on edge. | | | | What kind of counseling techniques do you use, and |
| 4. Your behavior is becoming harmful to yourself and | | | | has research proven them effective for dealing with |
| or others: For example, you are abusing alcohol, taking | | | | my kind of problem? |
| mind-altering substances illegally or becoming careless, | | | | What are your fees? (Fees are usually based on a |
| negligent or aggressive. | | | | 45- minute to 50-minute session.). Do you have a |
| What Is a Psychologist? What Is Counseling? How | | | | contracted rate with my insurance carrier? If so, what |
| does it all Work? | | | | would be my co-payment? How many sessions would |
| Psychologists who specialize in psychotherapy, | | | | you recommend? |
| counseling and other forms of psychological | | | | What type of insurance do you accept? Will you bill |
| treatments are highly trained professionals. They have | | | | and accept payment from my insurance company |
| particular expertise in the areas of human emotions, | | | | directly? With what managed care or insurance |
| psychological testing and the diagnosis and treatment | | | | companies are you affiliated? Do you accept |
| of emotional problems. | | | | Medicare or Medicaid? |
| They help patients to improve their feelings and | | | | Finances... |
| attitudes and to develop healthier, more effective | | | | Many insurance companies provide coverage for |
| behaviors. They use scientifically proven techniques to | | | | mental health services. Check with your insurance |
| help people modify their thoughts, feelings, and resolve | | | | company to see if your policy covers them and, if so, |
| conflicts. | | | | whether or not you are required to use one of their |
| The word psychotherapy is used interchangeably with | | | | network providers. |
| the word counseling in this article; this counseling | | | | This also applies if you are enrolled in an HMO or other |
| process is a collaboration between you and your | | | | type of managed care plan. Find out how much you |
| psychologist; you discuss the causes of your conflicts | | | | will be reimbursed for mental health services and what |
| and worries and ways to meet your goals. | | | | limitations on your use of benefits may apply. |
| Counseling or psychotherapy provides a supportive | | | | If you do not have a private health insurance or |
| non-judgemental environment where you can talk | | | | employee assistance program available to you, you |
| openly and confidentially about your innermost worries | | | | may have to pay for your services out-of-pocket. A |
| and feelings. Psychologists emphasize confidentiality | | | | few mental health professionals and most non-profit |
| and will also provide information about those rare | | | | community counseling agencies operate on a |
| exceptions when it may not apply. | | | | sliding-scale fee policy, where your income determines |
| How Can I Find a Psychologist who Can Help Me? | | | | the amount you pay. |
| To find a psychologist, start by asking a family | | | | Also, some state Medicaid programs provide for limited |
| member or friend who may have undergone | | | | mental health services from psychologists if you are |
| treatment with someone. You can also ask your | | | | considered economically disadvantaged. |