Psychotherapy
Lisa M. Rocchio, Ph.D. & Associates, Inc. is an inter-disciplinary mental-health practice providing evidence-based psychotherapy to adults, children, couples and families. Since 1997, Dr. Lisa Rocchio and a dedicated staff of experienced and licensed clinicians have offered professional outpatient mental health services to help clients improve their quality of life, health, and relationships and to further develop their problem-solving and interpersonal skills. Clinicians work collaboratively with clients to develop personalized strategies and solutions uniquely suited to their situations and individual needs and incorporate both cognitive-behavioral and insight-oriented techniques. They balance an active, pissue-resolving approach with an emphasis on the societal and familial context of a person’s distress.
The types of issues that Lisa M. Rocchio, Ph.D. & Associates, Inc. can help people with include, but are not limited to:
- Psychological Trauma
- Complex Trauma and Dissociation
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Grief and Loss
- Anxiety and Stress
- Depression
- Substance Use Disorders
- Relationship Difficulties, Separation and Divorce Adjustment
- Coping with Chronic Illness, Physical Injury, or Disability
- Concerns Related to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
- Work-Related Difficulties
- Eating Disorders and Body Image Dissatisfaction
- Parenting, Family, and School Issues
- Life Transitions
- Women’s Mental Health
At Lisa M. Rocchio, Ph.D. & Associates, Inc. we offer a wide range of services. All of our clinical services are provided by licensed behavioral health clinicians. We have several modes of therapy available and our clinicians have a variety of theoretical orientations. An intake appointment is the first step in setting up a therapy relationship. One of our clinicians will meet with you and offer suggestions on the best treatment approach and the best match for your particular needs.
Therapy options include:
- Individual Therapy – For Adults, Adolescents and Children
- Family Therapy
- Couples Therapy
General Overview
Psychotherapy is not easily described in general statements. It varies depending on the personalities of the psychotherapist and patient, and the particular issues you are experiencing. There are many different methods your therapist may use to deal with the issues that you hope to address. Psychotherapy is not like a medical doctor visit. Instead, it calls for a very active effort on your part. In order for the therapy to be most successful, you will have to work on things you talk about with your therapist, both during your sessions and at home.
Psychotherapy can have benefits and risks. Since therapy often involves discussing unpleasant aspects of your life, you may at times experience uncomfortable feelings such as sadness, guilt, anger, frustration, loneliness, and helplessness. On the other hand, psychotherapy has also been shown to have many benefits. Therapy often leads to better relationships, solutions to specific issues, and significant reductions in feelings of distress, but there are no guarantees of what you will experience.
Your first few sessions will involve an evaluation of your needs. By the end of the evaluation, your therapist will be able to offer you some first impressions and will work with you to identify specific treatment goals and to create an individualized treatment plan, if you decide to continue with therapy. You should evaluate this information along with your own opinions of whether you feel comfortable working with us. If you have questions about our procedures, we should discuss them whenever they arise. If you are unhappy with what’s happening in therapy, we hope you’ll talk with your therapist so that she or he can respond to your concerns. Such criticism will be taken seriously, and with care and respect. If your doubts persist, we will be happy to help you set up a meeting with another mental health professional for a second opinion.
You have the right to considerate, safe, and respectful care, without discrimination as to race, ethnicity, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, or source of payment. You have the right to ask questions of your therapist about any aspect of the therapy, and about their specific training and experience. You may also request that your therapist refer you to another therapist, and are free to end therapy at any time. You have the right to expect that your therapist will not have social or sexual relationships with clients or with former clients.
Confidentiality
The law protects the privacy of all communications between a patient and psychologist/psychotherapist. In most situations, your therapist cannot and will not tell anyone else what you have discussed or even that you are in therapy without your permission, and can only release information about your treatment to others if you sign a written authorization form that meets certain legal requirements imposed by HIPAA. There are some situations in which we are legally obligated to take action. For example: if we believe we must act in order to attempt to protect you or others from harm, we may have to reveal some information about a patient’s treatment. These situations are unusual in our practice, and the specific types of situations where this may occur are detailed in our psychotherapist-patient services agreement. You, on the other hand, may request that information is shared with whomever you choose and you may revoke that permission in writing at any time.
Minors and Parents
Patients under 18 years of age who are not emancipated and their parents/legal guardians should be aware that the law may allow parents/guardians to examine their child’s treatment records. Because privacy in psychotherapy is often crucial to successful progress, particularly with teenagers, it is sometimes our policy to request an agreement from parents/legal guardians that they consent to give up their access to their child’s records. If they agree, during treatment, we will provide them only with general information about the progress of the child’s treatment, and his/her attendance at scheduled sessions. Any other communication will require the child’s authorization, unless we feel that the child is in danger or is a danger to someone else, in which case we will notify the parents/legal guardians of our concern. Before giving parents any information, we will discuss the matter with the child, if possible, and do our best to handle any objections he/she may have.
Insurance
In order for us to set realistic treatment goals and priorities, it is important to evaluate what resources you have available to pay for your treatment. If you have a health insurance policy, it will usually provide some coverage for mental health treatment. We will fill out forms and provide you with whatever assistance we can in helping you receive the benefits to which you are entitled; however, you (not your insurance company) are responsible for full payment of our fees. It is very important that you find out exactly what mental health services your insurance policy covers.
If your therapy is being paid in part or in full by a managed care firm, there are usually other limitations imposed on your rights as a client by the contract of the managed care firm. These may include their decision to limit the number of sessions available to you, to decide the time period within which you must complete your therapy, or to require that you be evaluated for medication. They also generally require detailed reports of your progress in therapy and your symptoms, and on occasion, copies of your case file. Your therapist will file all necessary reports and obtain the required authorizations for treatment in order to maximize your benefits. Any information submitted to your insurance company will be shared with you upon your request.