What type of background to the therapists have?

Each therapist brings special education and qualifications to the practice. Two hold Doctoral Degrees in Clinical Psychology and have completed over 7 years of post-graduate education. This is the equivalent years of post-graduate training required of physicians. The therapists have varying years of experience include over 15 years of experience with children, adolescents/ and adults in public and private institutions, Correctional Facilities (Prisons), medical and psychiatric hospitals, and in private practice. We have conducted psychological evaluations for the courts and have provided testimony involving cases of child abuse and neglect, competency, and child custody determination. We currently serve as Director and Co-director of Jenison Psychological Services, P.C., a private psychology practice in Jenison, Michigan. Our professional Vita's will be provided for your review upon request.

See the individual staff pages for more information.

What type of therapy do you offer?

There are many different kinds of psychotherapy available today. Our approach focuses on helping individuals understand their feelings/ emotions, and motivations, those they are aware of and those they are not. It is difficult to present a comprehensive statement of our therapy style and approach/ because the needs of each client are different, and to some extent we tailor our approach to each client's individual needs. However, we want to share some fundamental ideas with you.

Therapy is essentially an equal relationship between the client and therapist. The client may be an individual, a couple, or a family. The initial focus of the therapy is on gathering enough information about the client to make it possible to gain an understanding of the thoughts, emotions, and life situations that concern the client. Therapy may then offer the support, skills and direction which facilitate the client making desired changes in their life.

As an individual, we believe you have the ability to understand and implement the changes you desire for yourself -- only you are responsible for deciding the ultimate course of action. Through a sequence of self explorations^ which may include an investigation of your family history and a commitment to change personal behaviors, you may learn more about yourself and the external and internal factors that effect the quality of your life. You may improve your skills in the areas of communication, self-control, and self understanding.

Formal and informal assessments, readings, and more structured experiences may be used to augment the therapy experience. You are in full control of what you want to accomplish in therapy and your individual spiritual beliefs will be respected. The only requirement that we make is that you be open and honest about what you choose to share with us.

There are benefits as well as risks related to therapy.

The desired benefits are improving your ability to identify problematic areas, evaluating reasonable options and taking action in an honest manner to achieve your goals. A good therapy experience also offers you opportunities to learn important things about yourself, to acquire helpful life management skills and to integrate both past and present learning toward a higher level functioning. Research published in Consumers Report Magazine clearly documents the benefits that most people feel they receive from their therapy experience. (Please read the report from Consumers Reports Magazine entitled "Does Mental Health Therapy Help?", included in your new patient welcome packet).

The risks of therapy include the awareness of negative feelings and situations, some of which may not be changed to your satisfaction. The possible realization that therapy is helpful and desired, but beyond the limits of your financial resources is also a risk. We attempt to minimize this possibility by offering several payment options.

You may wonder if there are any guarantees in light of the benefits and risks presented here. In short, while there is good reason to expect that therapy will be helpful, there is no guarantee that therapy with us will be the best way to reach your desired goals. However, the results of recent research, suggest that a majority of patients feel their therapy greatly benefited them and helped to foster personal growth as well. (Again, please read the enclosed article "Does Mental Health Therapy Help?)

Because every therapeutic experience is unique, it varies from individual to individual. Therefore, it is vital that you are comfortable discussing any concerns you have about the course of treatment with us or seek a second opinion from another clinician. Any form of physical intimacy between client and therapist is not appropriate during or following a therapeutic relationship. Such behavior should be reported to the State Board of Psychologists in Lansing immediately. You can verify our licensure by calling 1-900-555-8374 for a cost of $1.50 per minute or by visiting www.cls.state.mi.us or by mail by sending $5, payable to the "State of Michigan", to the Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services, License Verification Unit, P.O. Box 30189, Lansing, MI 48909.

Since successful therapy is based upon the development of a trusting relationship with your therapist, we (and many of my colleagues) have had to decide not to participate in HMO's and Managed Care Organizations (MCO's). This is because our experience has been that they often put profits before care and have other intrusive requirements which interfere with our professional relationship with my clients and otherwise interfere with my ability to provide high quality care. (We will however, cooperate with you in submitting bills to your HMO or MCO when they offer you a "point of service" option which allows you to choose your provider.)

What is treatment like?

Therapy sessions are usually held once or twice a week for forty five minutes until we mutually agree that a different time schedule is appropriate. Goals for therapy are determined within the first three or four sessions. They are periodically reviewed and redefined. Ideally, therapy ends when we both agree that your goals have been satisfactorily addressed. Of course, you have the right to terminate at any time. We highly recommend that we discuss your need to terminate during a session before you leave so that whatever your reasons, we can end our relationship on a positive note. No where in life are endings just as important as beginnings as in your therapy relationship.

We believe that it is very important that the ending of your therapy with us be handled with the same care and sensitivity as the beginning. This will enable you to go on smoothly with your life, without any negative feelings burdening you about how your therapy ended. So, whatever your reasons, it is our responsibility to make sure your therapy ends well.

Many individuals ask how long therapy may take, and although each individual case will vary, studies have shown that about 75% of therapy lasts less than 24 sessions. This is the equivalent of one weekly session for about six months.

One way to help accelerate your growth in therapy is to use readings in self-help books to augment your therapy. To aid you in this we have added a "Help Four-self" web page to our home page www.jenisonpsych.com so you can select and buy any of several self help books that we have found particularly helpful for our clients in our practice.

Simply read our comments regarding the book and click on it to buy it at BarnesandNobles.corn. This way you can get more out of your therapy time by reading or listening to a book on your own time, between sessions.(You may also save money by using the promotional discounts Barnes & Nobles offers on the banner on the bottom of our home page.)

Are there any physical risks from therapy?

Physical symptoms are often the result of emotional stress and can be reduced and even eliminated under certain therapy conditions. For example, studies show that in at least 50% of visits to primary care physicians, no serious organic disease is identified. Many of these individuals are thought to be experiencing emotional, psychological, or social problems. It is nonetheless important, that a competent medical specialist review your current situation to ascertain the degree to which the symptom has a physical base.

A physical exam is therefore indicated when a physical symptom is a primary concern. If there is a physical problem that affects your therapy, we will work closely with your medical specialist to coordinate treatments and services. Therefore, we request that you complete and sign the "Release of Confidential Information" authorization form enclosed in this new patient welcome packet to facilitate coordination of services with your physician, if needed. If you are a Medicare patient, this is required. (We've done most of it for you, simply complete the parts marked with an X) If you are not comfortable with this, please let us know.

It is important for you to let the therapist know if there is any persistent physical discomfort related to the therapy. If so, a referral to another specialist may be considered.

Do you use medications for treatment?

Depending on symptoms and problems, medication may or may not be appropriate or helpful. It is our belief that medications should be used only when necessary and usually after other less intrusive alternatives have been tried first, and for the shortest time and lowest dose which is effective. In the event that consideration of possible medications for psychological distress seems necessary, we will assist you in obtaining a medical evaluation from a qualified physician. This may be obtained from your personal physician or we can recommend an adult or child psychiatrist with whom we maintain a consultative relationship.

It is your responsibility to inform us of any and all prescribed medications for medical or psychiatric problems and the course of treatment as prescribed by your physician.

What confidentiality can I expect?

The information presented in therapy is personal and confidential. We can better insure that your treatment remains private and confidential by not participating with most HMD's or MOVs. We have learned that HMO's often do not protect access to private patient information as sringently as they should. In addition, an increasing number of patients are choosing to forgo any insurance billing and pay out of pocket for their services so as to further insure that information about their treatment remain only in our office unless released by the client.

The only circumstances when information could be shared without your written permission are: 1) When there is a clear intention to do harm to yourself or someone else, 2) When your insurance company asks for routine information for billing, and 3) When a court subpoena is issued. We also have a legal and ethical responsibility to notify appropriate social agencies of any suspicion of emotional or sexual abuse or neglect of a child, a disabled person or an elderly person.