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Stress, Anxiety and Depression

Marriage and family therapists apply family systems theory, principles, and techniques to address and treat an individual’s stress, mental, and emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression. Even when they work with individuals one-on-one, Marriage and Family therapists focus on the person's emotional relationship to the larger system of the couple or family. This is a family systems view of counseling, where each person’s emotional interdependence in the family system is seen as having a role in the effectiveness and / or dysfunction of the individual as well as family.

  • Stress! The world is full of stress. There are good stressors such as pleasurable activities, pleasant surprises, celebrations, and successes in life. There are also bad stressors such as unrelenting demands at work and home in marriage and family, disappointment and rejection in relationships, loss and grief, physical pain, not enough money to the pay bills, and the overall feeling that everything around you has more control over your life than you do. You can get to the end of your rope and be out of rope!!
  • Anxiety comes out of the blue. It could be a stressful situation you are in currently, or just life in general. The dread and panic tightens up in your chest and across your shoulders with an overwhelming feeling of fear and impending doom. At times, you may feel like your heart is going to pound out of your chest. Other times, you are sweating profusely and feel like you are going to die. It lasts about twenty minutes and then subsides. You are not crazy.
  • Depression has been described as a dark cloud hanging over a person, a heavy coat that weighs you down, feelings of complete hopelessness and helplessness, and all the energy being drained out of your body. More women than men seek help for depression, but anyone, of any age, is susceptible.

Marriage and Family therapists modify people's perceptions and behaviors, enhance communication skills and understanding between spouses and among family members, and help to prevent family and individual crises. Whether the therapist works with individuals, couples, or families, Marriage and Family therapy differs from traditional therapy with less emphasis placed on an identified client or internal psychological conflict. When needed, Marriage and Family therapists will also make appropriate referrals to medical and psychological resources for evaluations and any needed medications to treat chemical imbalances, so marriage and family therapy can be more productive and cost effective

Insurance Information

Most insurance companies do not cover relationship, marriage or family counseling. If there is a medical condition that is impacting the marriage and / or family relationships, insurance may cover the counseling on the individual diagnosis. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with your insurance benefits. When you check with your insurance company for benefits, ask for mental health benefits, with an out-of-network provider, for an office visit. We will be happy to file your insurance claim for you for reimbursement. You are responsible for deductibles, co-insurance, and co-payments. All fees are paid up front and the reimbursement will go directly to you. Many clients use their Health Savings accounts and Flexible Spending accounts for counseling. If you have any questions please call and speak with Stephanie at 417-882-6767 or email her.

Appointments

Initial appointments are usually made over the phone. Other appointments are then made at the end of each counseling sessions with your therapist. When your appointment is scheduled for a specific time, that time is reserved for you. Unlike other types of businesses, the Institute does not over-book clients. The scheduled times of appointments are dedicated solely to working with those individuals, couples or families. Our counselors spend time before each session preparing for who is coming to their appointments.

Cancellations

If you must cancel an appointment, please notify the Institute at 417-882-6767 at least 48 hours before your scheduled session (to avoid charges for the session.)

Financial Responsibility

Each client is responsible for payment of all charges. Your fee is collected when you arrive for your appointment. Checks, cash, Visa, Master Card, Discover and American Express are accepted. We also accept flexible spending account, and health savings account cards. If another party is helping to pay for your counseling, we will gladly help with payment arrangements.

Working Together

You will work with the same therapist throughout your time at Springfield MFI. We believe counseling is most successful when the client and therapist develop a good working relationship. Your questions and concerns will be taken seriously. Information you share with your therapist will be kept confidential. It will not be disclosed to anyone without your written permission. If you have questions about something in the counseling process, please bring it up with your therapist.