Support Network Counseling, LLC

Where are you located?

Support Network Counseling, LLC primary office is located at 4660 Marsh Rd. Okemos, Michigan 48864

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How Do I Make an Appointment?

Initial appointments may be made by calling Support Network Counseling at 517-224-4362.

Appointments depend on your schedule and a therapist's availability.  In general, appointments are available Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.  We are open some Saturdays from 8:00 - 3:00, or Sundays by prior arrangement. 


Cancellations:

Please notify your therapist at least 24 hours in advance if you need to cancel a scheduled appointment.  You will be charged a $50 cancellation/no-show fee for an appointment that has not been cancelled with a 24-hour advance notice, except in the case of extreme emergencies.

 

I have strong beliefs.  Will my counselor try to change them?

No, Therapists at Support Network Counseling respect individual beliefs, whatever they may be.  We see persons from all different faith traditions and persons who espouse no faith tradition.  Whatever your beliefs or non-belief, we welcome you.  

 

Is therapy right for me?

Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in life such as a divorce, family, or work transition. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change.
 

Do I really need therapy?  I can usually handle my problems.

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.


How can therapy help me?

A number of benefits are available from participating in counseling. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

• Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values

• Developing skills for improving your relationships

• Learning skills to deal with emotional regulation

• Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy

• Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety

• Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures

• Improving communications and listening skills

• Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones

• Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage

• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

What is therapy like?
Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. It is standard for therapists to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around fifty minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking counseling are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect out of therapy:

• Compassion, respect and understanding

• Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings

• Real strategies and skills for enacting positive change

• Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance

Is medication a substitute for therapy?

In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your medical doctor, you can determine what's best for you. It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.

Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?

To determine if you have mental health coverage, the first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage carefully and find the answers to the following questions:  We accept any commercial insurance carriers, including Medicaid.

When speaking to your insurance carrier, it is helpful to ask:

• What are my mental health benefits?

• What is the coverage amount per therapy session?

• How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?

• How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?

• Is approval required from my primary care physician?

 

Will what I say be kept private?

Everything that is shared in a counseling session with a therapist at Support Network Counseling, LLC is private and confidential.  Because you are sharing important and sensitive information about yourself, our staff dedicates itself to provide a relationship of confidentiality.  In such an environment, you may speak freely and honestly.  This means that it will not go outside of that room, and your therapist and you will be the only ones who know what gets shared in your counseling session.

It is important that you understand that by law there are certain things that any counselor must disclose if you share them.  These include:

• Reports of abuse of a minor or disabled/elderly person

• An active plan to harm yourself or someone else (such as a plan to shoot someone, or yourself)

• Any information that a court of law subpoenas from a therapist, when that therapist is not able to receive an exemption from the subpoena 

The therapists at Support Network Counseling, LLC are certified by their professional disciplines and are bound by their code of ethics and state laws related to privileged communication and confidentiality and privacy.

 

Does this mean that if I have ever felt like harming myself, my counselor will tell someone?

No. Only imminent danger or harm is required to be reported.  This means that you can safely share any history of thoughts and feeling suicidal in the past, or abuse in your childhood with your counselor without fear that it will need to be reported.  Only issues that place you in imminent harm must be reported.  And even those, your counselor will work with you to find ways of keeping you safe that do not involve breaking your confidentiality.

 

Benefits and Risks of Counseling

There are benefits and risks involved in receiving psychotherapy.  Therapy can help increase self-awareness and understanding, bolster self-esteem, reduce internal and interpersonal conflict, alter distressing moods, and improve communication.

What you achieve depends primarily on your own goals and motivation.  At the same time, you must know that you may experience unpleasant feelings while discussing matters that trouble you.  You may also discover that some situations cannot be changed to your satisfaction; thus leaving you with difficult decisions to make.  Nevertheless, your therapist is committed and qualified to assist you in facing such feelings and circumstances.

You are in full control of what you want to accomplish in counseling.  Your success depends largely on your willingness to speak openly and honestly.  Because you are sharing important and sensitive information about yourself, our staff dedicates itself to provide a relationship of confidentiality.

 

How to Know When You or Someone you Know Needs Help?

You may be the first to recognize when someone-including you-may need help.  These are some distress signals to pay attention to in yourself or in someone close to you.

• feelings of loneliness, moodiness, depression, failure, anxiety

• persistent feelings of dissatisfaction with marriage or family life

• sexual problems or concerns

• unexplained fatigue

• difficulties in talking with fiancé, spouse, children, parents, other family members, friends, or co-workers

• problems with a child's behavior, school adjustment, or performance

• the need for tranquilizers, energizers, or sleeping aids

• family stress due to repeated illnesses or illness in which stress plays a major role

• a recent traumatic event (death, job loss, accident, injury, divorce, break-up)

• problems with alcohol or drugs

• repeated financial difficulties

• difficulty in setting or reaching goals

• drastic weight fluctuations or irregular eating patterns

• work difficulties, frequent job changes, problems with co-workers

• unmanageable anger, hostility, or violence

 

Contributing author: Patricia Ellen Burgin, MA., and taken in part from a Consumer's Guide to Marriage and Family Therapy by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

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