What's the difference between therapy and coaching? I offer therapy
to adults, children, teenagers, and parents from my northern California office,
with a focus on special needs, like Asperger's, autism, ADHD and the
siblings of special needs kids. As a therapist, I help adults, children
and teens deal with
issues like anxiety, sadness or depression, and loneliness, as well as
life skills like
organization and social issues. Therapy can also be called counseling or psychotherapy.
I also provide coaching
nationwide, in person, over the phone, or through computer video calls,
for teens and adults with Asperger's or autism and the parents of kids on the autism spectrum. In my coaching practice I focus on
your practical goals like how to succeed in college or work, how to get
the recognition you deserve from bosses or colleagues, and how to get a
social life that balances your need for friends with time to recharge
alone. For more information on coaching, please visit my blog: Thrive on the Autism Spectrum.
Does going to therapy mean there’s something wrong with me or my child? Of course not! Many
people go to therapy, and it says nothing about them, other than that
they got help for some problem. I can work with people who have a
diagnosis of a mental disorder, but since I don’t prescribe medication
or have to talk to an insurance company I don’t need to give my clients
a diagnosis.
Is my session confidential? I
am required to keep our sessions confidential; even the fact that you
are, or are not, my client is confidential. There are a few specific
exceptions to confidentiality which all therapists are required to
follow. If confidentiality is a concern, please call me up and we can
discuss the specifics over the phone before starting therapy.
Do you accept insurance? I’ve
chosen not to join any insurance panels but that doesn't mean you can't
use your insurance. Generally, insurance covers medically necessary
treatment. Usually, the insurance company dictates the terms and length
of treatment. It’s up to you to determine how much control you want to
give to the insurance company. If you have a PPO, POS or Indemnity
plan, I can provide a bill for therapy so you may be able to get
coverage for an out of network provider. Give me a call and I'll
discuss your situation with you.
Generally, coaching is not covered by insurance, but check with your insurance or employer.
How long does therapy take? That’s
up to you. Together, we’ll set goals and determine a plan, which we can
review periodically. Although I’ll make recommendations, I want you to
feel in control of your treatment. For example, if you’re looking for
simple parenting tips you may be able to see results in one visit. If you're dealing with depression or anxiety, it will probably take longer.
For therapy or coaching, or more information,
please call Patricia Robinson, MFT at (925) 915-0924
or email patricia@patriciarobinsonmft.com
Material on this website is
for informational and/or educational purposes only and is not intended
to provide or be a substitute for professional services. Use of this
website does not establish a therapeutic relationship.
