23227 Red River Dr. Katy, Texas 77494
281-299-8607
5870 Highway 6 N, Suite 310. Houston, Texas 77084
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. What happens during a therapy session?
A. In the first few sessions, the counselor typically listens to you and the issues that you want to discuss. As the sessions progress, the counselor will usually take a more active role and try to help you sort out your problems, or guide you in the direction you want to go. Each client is different; some prefer to do most of the talking, while others would like the counselor to take a more educational approach. You may learn about topics such as stress management, how to cope with depression and anxiety, and communication skills.
Q. Is it confidential?
A. Yes, but with some exceptions. Please read the HIPAA notice under the tab 'before your appointment'.
Q. Do you do counseling over video (telehealth)
A. Yes, I see clients both in person and over video. While we would love to see you in person - specially now that we have two locations to chose from - we understand that some clients prefer telehealth for various of reasons.
Q. Do I have to talk about my childhood?
A. You don't have to talk about anything that you don't want to. The counselor may offer some suggestions for topics that may be relevant to your current struggles, but you, the client, set the pace of the sessions. Childhood issues and experiences - including positives ones - are often relevant to our thoughts, feelings and actions today, but not always.
Q. I have a teenager who may need counseling, but he/she does not talk very much. How do I know if he/she will benefit from counseling?
A. I have worked with many teenagers who do not share much with parents, but who are eager to talk to a counselor. Even with serious issues (for example, behaviors problems, depression, poor grades, cutting, etc.), many teens get significantly better when they share their story and receive guidance from a neutral party.
Q. How long does a session last?
A. Most regular sessions last 45-60 minutes.
Q. How many sessions do I need?
A. Counseling is fairly solution-focused, so most people will have achieved sufficient benefits in about 8-10 sessions. However, some individuals have deeply-rooted issues or severe problems that may require more counseling.
Q. Do you do couples counseling?
A. Yes, absolutely. It's important to note that most couples should plan for about 10-12 visits in order to have the best possibility of addressing all their issues and explore some of the psycho-educational nature of these sessions.
Q. Do you have other counselors?
A. Yes, our other counselors are associates that bring in expertise in other area, including children and families. The cost for a session with a counselor intern is $90 (no insurance accepted). See "Our counselors" for more information.
Q. How do I know if counseling is for me? What if I don't like to talk about my feelings?
A. Talking about feelings is an important part of counseling, but it's not the only way of achieving progress. The counselor will help you find other ways of expressing yourself, while other times, an educational approach can work wonders. Most people will know within 3-4 sessions if therapy is beneficial and they decide from there whether to continue. For some, it's an investment valued for the rest of their lives.
Q. Will I need medication? Does the counselor prescribe medication?
A. Whether you may need medication to deal with your situation is something you can discuss with counselor. However, the counselor is not licensed to write prescriptions, and you will need to follow with up with a psychiatrist or a doctor on your own.
Q. Do you offer any type of specialization.
A. I am trained in EMDR, which is a highly successful treatment approach for trauma, anxiety, stress management, depression and many other issues. Furthermore, I have some experience using the Internal Family System Model as well as CBT. Other therapist use other modalities, including Solution Focused Therapy, CBT, DBT, Narrative therapy and compassion focused.
Q. Which age groups do you serve?
A. We see just about all groups starting with 5 years old and up. Some of our counselors focus more on children and teens, while others focus on young adults and older. Regardless of your age and presenting issue, you will in most cases find someone that fit your needs at our center. You are also always welcome to call if you want to me sure we're the right fit for you.
Q. Is there a cancellation policy?
A. Unlike doctors who often double book patients, the appointment time at Life Cycles Counseling is set aside for you only. Therefore, we assess a $80 fee for all no-shows and cancellations within 24 hours of the appointment. You can view the full cancellation policy on the intake form under the 'before your appointment' tab.
Q. How much does it cost?
A. Many insurance plans cover counseling services at our Bear Creek location, minus your deductible or copay. The rate for individual visits (or couples) is $145 for a 55-60 minute visit by Marcel Gamboa LPC, while the rate is $90 by an LPC Associate. Our Katy location is currently private pay only, but we are happy to provide you with a super-bill where you can potentially get all or most your fee reimbursed by your insurance company. Click the tab "Rates and Insurance" for more information.
Q. Where are you located?
We have two locations, one off Highway 6 in west Houston, the other one in Kingsland Park in Katy. Bear Creek/west Houston address: 5870 Highway 6 N, Suite 310, Houston TX 77084. Katy address: 23227 Red River Dr, Katy TX 77494. Phone number is the same for both locations: 281-299-8607
Q. Can I call for a free consultation
Yes, you may call 281-299-8607 for a free 10 minute consultation with the counselor if you have further questions.
