Family Counseling Services in Lakeland

Family Counseling Lakeland

It’s OK to ASK

Family Counseling – Once upon a time I had never seen a counselor.  But I was getting desperate- my life felt like it was falling apart and things were getting to a scary point. I became grudgingly willing to see someone in case there was any way counseling could help me.  I got a recommendation for a therapist from a friend, made an appointment and went…with my tail between my legs.

There, I blurted out my entire life’s story. And in answer to the therapist’s question, I admitted to smoking some pot. She told me she could not work with me unless I gave that up immediately and entirely.  She might as well have shot me in the chest.  Family Counseling I remember leaving feeling stunned, rejected, completely vulnerable and humiliated. She ‘gave’ me an unwanted hug as I left. I was worse off than when I went in.  I suspected help would never come. I was clearly unworthy.

Family Counseling Services

To shorten up a LONG story, I went to self-help meetings for a while and then tried another therapist, and that time it clicked. She and I developed a rapport, and I went on to work hard at recovery for many months. The experience was transformative and set me on a path of recovery and growth. Now, I am happier and healthier than I could ever have imagined. Now I am a therapist, helping others to grow as well.

I remember those feelings: reluctant, desperate, hopeful before the first appointment. I remember the agony of the first appointment- fearing rejection. I remember the mystery of not knowing what was supposed to happen.

Who says what? Counseling Will the therapist tell me what is wrong with me? Will they respect me? Will they tell me what to do? Judge me? Isn’t this stuff written down anywhere?!?

If you are new to therapy, here are a few considerations:

You may have to shop around to find the counselor you work best with. That’s OK.
There are different formats for counseling: individual, group, couple’s and family. Andy also does interventions for people with addiction. That usually means a series of family counseling sessions to prepare for the intervention.

You will need to figure out how to pay for counseling. Some people pay for their own sessions, which can be $50-$150. Relationship Builders charges $100 per hour for individual and couple’s counseling. Some have insurance coverage for counseling- it can be smart to check with your insurance company regarding co-pays, deductibles, and covered providers. Some people have Employee Assistance Benefits through heir employer which offers free sessions. If you have no benefits and can’t afford counseling, group counseling is less expensive and a very effective way to work. There are free self-help groups in most communities, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, Adult Children of Alcoholics, Narcotics Anonymous, Celebrate Recovery, Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous and many more.

Location matters. We are in downtown Lakeland Florida, but are beginning to offer video counseling to people in the state of Florida.

Do you need counseling? Contact us today for an initial confidential consultation.