Frequently Asked Questions

Are you considering counseling? On this page we have provided answers to some of the more frequently asked questions. If you have additional questions or need more information, please email us at office@suncreekcounseling.com and we are happy to try to answer any additional questions you may have.

What can I expect from my first session?
How should I make the most of my therapy experience?
Is what I say in counseling kept confidential?
What do I do if I need help right away?
What is considered an emergency/crisis situation?

What can I expect from my first session?

The first session is called an Initial Consultation appointment. You will be asked to complete important paperwork online, prior to your first appointment. You can expect to meet with a therapist for 50 minutes, at which time the therapist will gather some additional information regarding the main concern for coming in. You will then discuss next steps, including a customizable care plan, which might look like scheduling a follow up appointment. We may make recommendations for another treatment provider if that seems most appropriate. In that case, our therapists can help assist in finding appropriate services.

How should I make the most of my therapy experience?

Sometimes it might not be clear where to start or what to talk about. Before starting therapy, you might have certain ideas or expectations for how to be in therapy, such as not disagreeing with the therapist or not asking many questions. Below are a few things that might be helpful to get the most out of your therapy:

Don’t pretend to be okay. It’s okay to talk about things that feel embarrassing or scary
Regularly attend your sessions and take an active part in them
Be prepared for each session and be ready to focus on a problem or issue
Work collaboratively with your counselor and be willing to explore new behaviors both within and outside the sessions
Be open and honest with your counselor about how the sessions are going for you, particularly if you don’t think you’re being helped
Ask questions. If your therapist is talking about something you do not understand, or you feel uncertain about a particular suggestion, ask questions

Is what I say in counseling kept confidential?

Suncreek Counseling follows the professional, legal, and ethical guidelines of the American Counseling Association and the state of Texas. This means that information about your counseling sessions or what is discussed in the session is not shared with anyone without expressed written permission. There are some exceptions to confidentiality. For example, if there is the possibility of harm to the client or another person, or in cases of child or elder abuse, our staff are mandated to report certain information to the appropriate authorities.

What do I do if I need help right away?

In the case that a client has an urgent need or is in an emergency situation, please call 9-1-1 immediately.

Additionally, you may receive 24/7 Crisis Support as follows:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1.800.SUICIDE (784.2433)
Veterans Crisis Hotline: 1.800.273.TALK (8255)
Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741
Trevor Project 24/7 Line: 1.866.488.7386 or TrevorText: text START to 678-678
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1.800.656.HOPE (4673)

What is considered an emergency/crisis situation?

An emergency/crisis experience is individually based, depending on what it feels like for you based on your “normal”. Some examples of a need for an emergency/crisis counseling session, include: