FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
How can therapy help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, 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
-
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
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.
What should I expect from therapy?
Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your therapist (usually weekly).
It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process - such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals. People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives, and take responsibility for their lives.
Do you accept insurance or how does payment work?
We do not accept insurance. We offer services using a sliding fee scale. Clients do not pay more than $30 per session. We accept cash, card, or local check. Please refer to the "Our Services" page to learn more about the cost of services.
How do I schedule an appointment with the Olson Clinic? What should I expect after?
There are several ways to schedule an appointment with a student therapist. You can give us a call at (319) 368-6493 or fill out the appointment request form here.
Once you have contacted us, our staff will work to get you an appointment as soon as they can. At times of high demand, prospective clients are put on a waitlist.
Does the Olson Clinic have a waitlist?
At times of high demand, prospective clients are put on a waitlist. We strive to make waiting periods for intakes as brief as possible. If you attempt to schedule an appointment during a time of high demand, we will attempt to contact you within 48 business hours to inform you that you are on the waitlist. We will also provide referrals to other services within the area. Waitlist times vary; your appointment will be scheduled as soon as possible. In trying to schedule you for an intake, if staff has attempted to contact you 3 times with no answer, you will be removed from the waitlist.
While waiting to be seen, please know that you can utilize Foundation 2 Crisis Services (1-800-332-4224 or Text Help to 741741) to support you in your mental health needs. Foundation 2’s services are not necessarily reserved for people in crisis. You can reach out to Foundation 2 for extra support while working to establish therapy services.
What resources can I use if I need emergency support/help?
Olson Clinic does not provide emergency mental health services. If you need immediate services, please call 9-1-1, contact Foundation 2 Crisis Services (1-800-332-4224) or Text Help to 741741, or go to your local emergency room.
Are sessions recorded?
To support the student therapists in their clinical training, all sessions conducted at the Olson MFT Clinic are recorded and stored on a secure, HIPAA-compliant server; the only people who have access to these recordings are the student therapists and their supervisor(s).