Counseling for Success
Kiomi Mount, LICSW, DCSW
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How long does counseling take?
A. It varies from person to person, depending on goals, needs, and interests. I recommend clients initially attend counseling sessions weekly to build momentum and start seeing results sooner. After a few weeks or months most of my clients are able to reduce their appointments to every other week, and eventually reduce to monthly or quarterly appointments. Counseling ends when clients feel confident they can manage things on their own and can return anytime as needed.
Just like going to the gym several times a week consistently will help you achieve results faster than going to the gym once a month, it is recommended clients initially meet with a counselor once a week. Because you are learning and practicing new skills, the more frequently you practice them, the easier it will be to master them.
© 2003- 2008, Counseling for Success, Inc. All Rights Reserved. .
Q. How are you different from other counselors or hypnotherapists?
A. I use a strengths oriented approach which often accelerates learning and healing. Some counselors focus on your problems. I help you overcome your problems and take it to the next level to improve your quality of life. Health is more than just the absence of disease. A healthy mind and body is not only more symptom free, but is more peaceful, happy and content.
My commitment is that you feel better, stronger, and more confident in as short a period as possible. I prefer that clients don't spend years in therapy rehashing the past or dwelling on problems. I help you overcome problems, break free from the past, and develop empowering life skills.
I use a variety of techniques and modalities to help you overcome challenges and increase confidence, performance, and motivation. Much of my work stems from the field of Positive Psychology. Positive psychology is much more than positive thinking. It is a thoroughly researched and empirically based field of psychology that employs various modalities to enhance your strengths and cultivate an enriched, meaningful life.
My promise is to provide you with compassionate, quality care and utilize the resources I have available to help you achieve the best possible results.
Q. Do you accept insurance?
A. Yes. I am a preferred provider with First Choice Health. All other insurance, I am usually covered as an out of network provider. Feel free to contact me for more information.
Q. Do you offer counseling via telephone?
A. Although I prefer to see clients in person, if you live in a location that makes it difficult to come to my office, I am happy to explore telephone appointments as an option. If your job requires you to travel out of state or the country frequently, phone appointments can be arranged.
Q. What can I expect during my first appointment?
A. The intake appointment consists of building a mutually supportive rapport and obtaining a detailed history of your presenting concerns.
The more information I have, the better I can help you. Just as a doctor would do a thorough exam before diagnosing a medical condition, I will ask questions about how long you have been dealing with your issues, their impact on your life, the intensity and duration of your challenges, how you have managed them so far, what has been effective and what hasn't. I will also find out what has helped you overcome challenges in the past and apply this knowledge to help you overcome your current concerns.
Q. When are you available to see clients?
A. I have weekend, daytime and evening hours. Please call for more information.
Q. How do I select the right counselor for me?
A. I encourage you to take time to interview counselors in person or over the phone. Tell them a little about your concerns and what you would like to get out of therapy. Find out what modalities they use, the average length of time a client sees them, and what type of clients they work best with. Ask for some examples of their successes and as well as their limitations. No counselor should ever say they have a 100% success rate. Just like any medical treatment, there is a certain rate of success, but all treatments have their limitations. Medical and mental health providers should be knowledgeable about the pros and cons of their treatments, limitations, and range of effectiveness.
If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. This is especially true with hypnosis. The reason why people are so skeptical about hypnosis is because many practioners over promise and create unrealistic expectations.
At the end of the interview, you should feel comfortable with the counselor's approach and feel confident in their ability to handle your concerns. You should feel heard, respected, and understood.
Quality of care, cost, and competency are usually the deciding factors. I encourage you to weigh all three carefully. You want to make sure you are in caring, compassionate, competent hands.
And last of all, when choosing a counselor, trust your intuition. I believe decisions need a balance of the mind and heart. After carefully researching all your options, whomever you feel the greatest trust and comfort with will be the right choice for you.
Feel free to contact me if you would like to schedule a complimentary telephone consultation. I'd be happy to answer your questions and schedule a convenient time to talk in greater detail. All information is kept strictly confidential.
Counseling for Success
200 W. Mercer St., Suite 307
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 355-5776
