FAQ

           What are the benefits of psychotherapy/counselling?
 
Therapy is meant to be a process of finding effective tools to improve your life in a variety of mental-health related areas. At Tanya Hansen Therapy, specialization is key. Rather than being a "one size fits all", Tanya has developed expertise in the areas of: relationship therapy through the Gottman approach; anxiety and depression using the evidence based approach of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT); career/workplace counselling; parenting/family therapy through family of origin therapy, which could also include working with youth, either individually or as part of family counselling.

If what you are doing has not worked, finding new ideas and trying out new strategies with the support of a highly trained therapist could lead you to finding key solutions to areas where you have been struggling.
 
          What is the difference between talking to a therapist and just talking to one of my friends.
 
A well-trained and qualified therapist has to go through years of training, supervision, and education in order to earn the accreditation of psychotherapist, counsellor, or psychologist. Therapists receive specialized training in listening skills, assessment, treatment planning and goals, and experience in specific therapeutic tools to assist you in making lasting changes in yourself as an individual and in your relationships.
 
          What is therapy like with Tanya Hansen Therapy?
 
Tanya Hansen takes an individualized approach to assisting you by listening to your concerns through completing a thorough assessment where she will get detailed information on your background and lifestyle, what you would like to work towards, and then collaboratively developing a clear action plan "roadmap" of how to work towards change. The approaches used include Gottman; CBT; Solution-focused therapy; career assessment; and family therapy approaches.
 
Completing therapy "homework" is an important component of successful therapy and Tanya will give you meaningful and productive therapy homework to complete in between sessions.

SMART goals are an example of a possible therapy homework component
 
          What about medication vs. psychotherapy?  
 
When facing life altering anxiety or depression, medication in conjunction with psychotherapy can be one of the most effective strategies. However, the decision as to whether to take medication or not is a medical decision, which is best decided upon in conjunction with your doctor. If you are not sure about medication, or do not feel medication is right for you, psychotherapy alone may be all that you need, and many individuals make the decision to try psychotherapy first and see if this will be enough to effect change. Tanya Hansen gives you targeted assessments at the outset of therapy in order to establish a baseline for anxiety and/or depression, and to monitor progress based upon self-report assessments.
 
          Do you take insurance, and how does that work?
 
To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call and check with your insurance provider or a designated HR person at your place of work. 

• What are the limits of coverage? Either in a dollar amount or in number of visits covered.

• Does my coverage include working with a registered provisional psychologist? Or will it only include working with a Registered Social Worker? Or only working with a Registered Psychologist?

• Do I require a referral from my doctor? 

• Note: Tanya Hansen is a Registered Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). She is a registered Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP) provider with: Homewood Health; Arete HR; ComPsych; and Ceridian Lifeworks.

 
          What does confidentiality really mean in therapy?
 
Confidentiality is an important subject to be clear on in counselling. Confidentiality is paramount in building a trusting relationship with your therapist. According to ethical guidelines in the practice of psychotherapy, the role of the therapist is to:
 

1. To maintain the confidentiality of the client, unless one or more of the following conditions are met You. a. may be a danger to yourself or others: there is a reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect in relation to a minor child, person with a disability, or the elderly: your written and signed request that I disclose your information. You recognize that in such circumstances, that I have a legal and ethical responsibility to my professional association to notify the proper authorities.

2. It is appropriate to consult with a professional colleague to improve the quality of my service to you; the information shared is non-identifying and the information shared is restricted to the information necessary to aide in meeting your desired goals and to assist me in providing adequate service. This colleague will also be held to the rules of confidentiality. This is an extremely common practice with any counsellor/psychotherapist that you would see.

3. You initiate a legal action whereupon I may use information from my records to defend myself.

4. To limit their counselling therapy services and practices to those within the scope of their professional competence. If they determine that they are ethically unable to provide services, they will work with the client to arrange for an appropriate referral. 

5. To inform clients about the nature and purpose of assessments and the meaning of the results.