Frequently
Asked
Questions
Answers to commonly asked questions are presented on this page. Some answers have links to other pages or articles that contain more information. All questions featured on the page are listed under quick reference with links to the section supplying the answer.
If you have additional questions, feel free to use the contact form at the bottom to email me a question.
Quick Reference
* What is the difference between a psychologist and other types of providers?
* How does therapy work?
* What can I expect from therapy?
* How will I know therapy is working?
* How long does therapy last?
* Are there any risks?
* Is teletherapy as good as in person therapy?
* Is teletherapy right for everyone?
* What do I need to engage in teletherapy?
* Can I do teletherapy from anywhere?
* What about privacy?
* What types of insurance do you take?
* What if I want to do self-pay?
* Do you offer sliding scale?
* How do I get started with New Dawn?
* What is ACT?
* What is DBT?
* What is CBT?
* What are the other types of therapies you list on your site?
* What are your hours?
* Do you work with children or teenagers?
* Do you do in person (face to face) appointments?
* Can you work with people from any part of the country?
What is the difference between a psychologist and other types of providers?
Clinical psychologists are doctoral level providers who conduct psychotherapy and are able to do psychological testing. There are two types of clinical psychologists, PsyDs and PhDs. Generally speaking, PhDs include both research and clinical work in their training while PsyDs tend to have less focus on research. In most cases, psychologists cannot prescribe medications. It takes many years to get a doctorate (the average is about 6 years) and includes a year long clinical internship. As a result of the rigorous training, clinical psychologists, especially PhD psychologists, incorporate evidence and research into their practice.
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Psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners tend to be medication prescribers. Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MD or DO) who have completed specialized training in mental health.
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Clinical social workers (LCSW), licensed professional counselors (LPC), and licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT) are masters level providers who deliver psychotherapy.
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To learn more about this topic, you can check out this article.
How does therapy work?
Different types of therapy work in different ways. The type of therapy that I do, evidence and skills based therapy, is time limited (about 5 months) and aimed at helping people learn and apply tools to address problems that are interfering with quality of life. You meet weekly for 55 minutes. In between sessions, you practice applying the tools that are presented in session. In order to make sure the treatment is working for you, we develop specific custom goals and we monitor progress towards these goals throughout therapy.
What can I expect from therapy?
The ultimate goal in therapy is to help you improve your quality of life. As we work together, you will learn various skills. These include different ways of thinking, feeling and behaving. Throughout the process, I will be able to help provide troubleshooting and support.
How will I know therapy is working?
An important part of successful treatment is identifying specific measurable goals that reflect the types of changes that will have an impact on your overall quality of life. There are lots of different ways to monitor progress and we will likely use a combination of them. For instance, we will track your symptoms to determine whether they are decreasing. We will also monitor behaviors to determine whether you are engaging in more effective behaviors and decreasing engagement in problematic behaviors.
How long does therapy last?
The type of therapy I do typically lasts about 5 months and consists of about 14 sessions (12-16). Each session is usually 55 minutes and we meet weekly. Sometimes people need a few sessions after they have completed the bulk of treatment to help them stay on track. These booster sessions can be arranged and sometimes they can be shorter than a typical therapy session (i.e., 30 minutes).
Are there any risks?
In general there are not many risks to engaging in therapy. Some people experience an increase in symptoms and/or distress at the start of therapy due to increased awareness of problems. Frustration when trying to learn and apply skills can also come up. These issues are usually mild and short lived.
Is teletherapy as good as in person therapy?
Research supports that teletherapy is just as effective as in person therapy (for more information you can check out this article). Having over a decade of experience delivering both face to face and teletherapy, it has been my experience that both work equally well. Teletherapy has some advantages including requiring less time (no travel time) and flexibility in setting (can do a session from your office without having to leave work or you can do it from home). To learn more about the topic you can check out this article.
Is teletherapy right for everyone?
According to research, teletherapy can be effective for pretty much anyone. Because the teletherapy platform is easy to use, most people can engage with few to no problems. Some people may not be as comfortable with technology or may want to go out for appointments. These people might prefer in person to teletherapy. Overall, teletherapy can work for most everyone but ultimately it comes down to personal preference. A good way of determining whether teletherapy is right for you is to try it out during the initial consultation session.
What do I need to engage in teletherapy?
Teletherapy requires an internet connection and a smart phone, tablet/iPad, or computer. The device you use will need to have a microphone and camera.
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You can learn more about using the SimplePractice telehealth platform by visiting their website or/and downloading their getting started guide.
Can I do teletherapy from anywhere?
Generally, yes. Teletherapy offers a great deal of flexibility and freedom. It is important to consider the environment when selecting a location for sessions. You will want to select a location that is quiet and private so that you can focus on the session.
What about privacy?
I follow all regulations regarding privacy and work to make sure you feel comfortable. The email communication is HIPPA compliant and I also offer secure messaging through the client portal.
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To learn more about my privacy practices, you can download this guide.
What types of insurance do you take?
Currently I accept Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming.
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I am working to accept additional insurance. I can also look into providing care as an out of network provider if you have a different type of insurance.
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If you are interested in using insurance to pay for therapy, look at the payment page that provides information about questions to ask the insurance company before your fist appointment.
What if I want to self-pay?
I take credit cards, checks, and cash. Credit cards are preferred.
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For more information about my rates, see the payment page. I can offer discounted rates for people who pay promptly.
Do you offer sliding scale?
Currently I do not offer sliding scale.
How do I get started with New Dawn?
You have a number of different options for getting started. You can call (307-222-0515) or email me (cbarrett@newdawnpsychservices.com).
You can also use the booking link to go to the client website and request a free initial consultation appointment.
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What is ACT?
ACT, or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, is a behaviorally oriented therapy that uses experiential learning to develop alternative ways of relating to thoughts and feelings to enhance pursuit of values and improve quality of life. It can be especially helpful for dealing with issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, avoidance, over control, and chronic pain. To learn more about ACT you can read these articles:
What is DBT?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is also a behaviorally based treatment that aims to increase effective functioning and emotion regulation by strengthening skills in four areas (mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness) and contingency management. It is especially helpful for those who struggle with emotional problems and troublesome behavioral patterns. To learn more about DBT take a look at these articles:
What are the other types of therapy you list on your site?
Links to articles explaining each type of therapy is provided below:
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What are your hours?
Mondays: 7:30 am-5 pm
Tuesdays: Appointments by request
Wednesdays: 7:30 am - 5 pm
Thursdays: Appointments by request
Fridays: Closed
Saturdays: Closed
Sundays: Closed
Do you work with children or teenagers?
No. I work with adults (ages 18 and over).
Do you do in person (face to face) appointments?
No. Currently I only offer telehealth (virtual) appointments.
Can you work with people from any part of the country?
No. I can only practice psychology in states in which I am licensed or that recognize my license. Currently I can work with people who are located in Wyoming and Utah.
