Initial Assessment: Your first appointment will be what is commonly called the “Intake Session.” This is an individual session with the Intake Specialist who will determine your mental health needs and desires. Information collected during this interview includes: Demographics, mental health history, medical history, social history, substance abuse history, legal history, occupational history, mental status, etc. You will be asked a number of questions and fill out forms designed to assess your current and past physical and emotional health. Every effort will be made to coordinate your services with your primary care physician and/or other current or past treatment entities upon your signed consent. This information is necessary to provide you with the most effective treatment regimen, an initial diagnosis and assignment to the appropriate therapist for ongoing treatment. Together you will also design an initial treatment plan. The treatment plan will address your concerns and assist you in working towards the goals that you feel are most important to your well-being. This information will give you the opportunity to ask further questions about your treatment and will provide the assigned treating therapist with a deeper understanding of your situation; assess whether the individual has other needs that might be better met by alternative treatment or providers.
Psychological Evaluation: When a psychological screening does not provide conclusive information about an individual's problems, psychological testing is recommended to get a more complete understanding of the individual in order to facilitate treatment planning.
Psychotherapy (counseling): During psychotherapy/ counseling you will explore a wide range of emotional problems and life stressors. You will learn and gain insight concerning your condition, mood, feelings, relationships, thoughts and behaviors. You will work together with your therapist to find new ways of coping, problem solving, and resolution of the issues which have led to your current life difficulties. If it is determined that you might benefit from medication, you will be referred to one of 's psychiatrists or your primary care physician or other medical provider of your choosing. You may be asked to do “homework” or other activities which might be of benefit to you as a part of the treatment process. When appropriate, you will be asked to help develop and adhere to a detailed emergency crisis plan. You are free to ask questions of your therapist at any time and to request a change of therapists if you feel you are not making sufficient progress.
Individual/Family/Couples Therapy: Individual/Family/Couples Therapy is for those individuals who demonstrate a need for psychotherapy during the psychological screening. The therapist, with client input, will determine the form of psychotherapy that would best serve the client's needs. The client is seen individually if problems are primarily associated with his/her functioning or if family/significant others are unwilling to attend therapy. If problems are embedded within the couple's dyad or family system, those therapies are provided.
Time Frames: Treatment sessions generally are between 30 and 60 minutes. The frequency of appointments is determined between you and your therapist. How long you need to be in therapy depends upon your situation. This can be as short as a few weeks or up to a year or more depending upon severity. Of course, unless you are under court commitment, other court order or a minor, you are free to self-discharge at any time of your choosing. However, if you are on medication it is strongly recommended you inform your medical care provider of such action.
This portion is intended to inform you that the person who will be providing counseling services and case management to you may be a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) in the state of New Jersey.
A Licensed Associate Counselor is an individual who:
-has obtained a master’s degree or doctorate degree in counseling from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
-has passed the National Counselor Examination administered by the National Board of Certified Counselors indicating that the individual meets the national standards.
-is legally able to provide counseling, counseling interventions, appraisal and assessment, consulting, referral and research activities only under the direct supervision of a qualified supervisor.
A “qualified supervisor” for an LAC is an individual who:
-has been fully licensed to provide mental health counseling services for a minimum of 2 years.
-has at least 3,000 hours of clinical work experience in New Jersey in the last 6 years
-has obtained the Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) credential from the National Board for Certified Counselors Center for Credentialing and Education or has completed at minimum 3 graduate credits in clinical supervision from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
A "licensed social worker" is an individual who has:
- Received a master's degree in social work from an educational program accredited, or in candidacy for accreditation, by the Council on Social Work Education or a doctorate in social work from an accredited institution of higher education; and
- Passed an appropriate examination provided by the board for this purpose.
- The board shall certify an applicant who has received a baccalaureate degree in social work from an educational program accredited, or in candidacy for accreditation, by the Council on Social Work Education
Clinical supervision for an LSW shall be rendered by an LCSW who:
- Has been licensed as an LCSW for a minimum of three years
- Has completed at least 20 continuing education credits of post-graduate coursework related to clinical supervision approved by the State Board of Social Work Examiners
If you have questions about your treatment, please speak to your counselor or their supervisor. By signing this document I am showing I understand the person in charge of my primary care may be a Licensed Associate Counselor who is practicing under the supervision of the qualified supervisor listed above and not practicing independently, I am giving my consent to be treated by this individual, an I am giving my consent for the LAC named above to disclose Protected Health Information to the qualified supervisor as needed to support and inform the supervision process.