In this section are answers to frequently asked questions and common concerns that people have when considering psychotherapy.

What is psychotherapy?
How would I know if I need therapy?
How can therapy help me?
What services are offered?
What problems do you treat?
What types of therapy are available?
Is therapy confidential?
How long does therapy take?
Is medication a substitute for therapy?
Is therapy covered by my health insurance carrier?

What is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is a unique professional relationship between a therapist and a patient that is based on therapeutic principles, structure and technique.

It is a dialog, between doctor and patient for the sole purpose of helping the client improve their ability to deal with life’s challenges. It is through the therapeutic alliance and the relationship that the healing occurs.

How would I know if I need therapy?

There are many reasons that people seek the help of a qualified professional. At various points in life there are obstacles or challenges that arise. Each situation or crisis poses an opportunity for growth; we are not given a challenge we cannot handle. Navigating through these events-a difficult childhood, divorce or career change, a loss through death, change or break-up, unhealthy relationships at home or work-can produce unexpected symptoms, such as anxiety or depression.

While many people handle their problems on their own, there are times when seeking professional assistance can bring a different perspective, support and tools needed to empower and change destructive patterns. When you no longer feel you are in control of your decisions and your life, it is probably time to seek professional assistance.

How can therapy help me?

There is tremendous value in talking through your problems and challenges with someone who has the experience, training and expertise to understand and help you make changes.

A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy.
Some of these  include:

Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
Developing skills for improving your relationships
Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
Improving communications and listening skills
Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how you participate in the process and put into practice what you learn.

What services are offered?

Individual, Couples and Family Psychotherapy
Sex Therapy
Divorce Counseling
Co-Parent Counseling
Parenting Coordination
Consultation and Psychological Evaluation/Testing
Hypnotherapy
Past-life Regression Therapy (PLRT)
Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
Group therapy

What specific problems do you treat?

Treatment is available for children, adolescents and adults and with most clinical problems including:

Anxiety
Depression
Women’s Issues
Eating Disorders
Chemical Dependency
Personality disorders
Dissociative Identity Disorders
Adjustment Disorders
Psychosomatic Disorders
Anger management
Stress Reduction
Pain Management
Divorce Counseling
Parenting & Step-Parenting
Childhood behavioral disorders
Chronic Illness
Grief & Loss

Help is available for individuals, couples and families at all stages of attachment, separation/divorce and reorganization. Dr. Winter has worked extensively with women’s issues, individuals with eating disorders and victim’s of abuse. She offers assistance to women in business, helping them achieve both personal and professional goals.

What types of therapy are available?

Dr. Winter has training and experience with many forms of therapy. These include psychoanalytic psychotherapy, various behavioral and cognitive therapies, sex therapy, hypnotherapy. EMDR and PLRT. She is available for both short term management of a crisis or intermediate to long term therapy. She is a Qualified Parenting Coordinator and Family Court Mediator.

Is therapy confidential?

According to state statues, information exchanged during the course of psychotherapy is privileged communication and subject to privacy. As such, Dr. Winter is not permitted to acknowledge that any one is in her care unless given your written permission. There are exceptions such as danger to the self or others. Details are provided in the Patient Services Agreement and the HIPAA statement.

How long does therapy take?

Therapy can take as short as a few sessions or as long as many years to help someone become mobilized to move on. This depends upon the preexisting issues, the goals of the person and their willingness to participate in the therapeutic process.

Is medication a substitute for therapy?

In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you. It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.

Is therapy covered by my health insurance carrier?

Many health insurance carriers often cover all or part of the psychotherapy session, however, each plan has a different benefit. It is best that you contact your carrier directly to inquire about your annual deductible, co-pays and or co-insurance, annual session or dollar limits and whether or not an authorization is required. Dr. Winter will submit your visits to your carrier or provide you with a statement for you to submit yourself. Please feel free to discuss your concerns regarding fees and insurance prior to your initial appointment. Dr. Winter participates directly with Medicare.

Forensic services, such as Parenting Coordination, are not reimbursable by your carrier. Please check with them to see what services are covered.

The advantage to utilizing your insurance is clear; there is reimbursement for part or all of your therapy bill. However, there are disadvantages as well. These include: the loss of confidentiality, the loss of control of treatment and the effect of having a psychiatric diagnosis. In order for coverage to be approved, there is often information that is required to be provided to your health or managed care carrier. These might include a diagnosis, history and/or treatment plans. Dr. Winter has no control over the information once it leaves the office. The company that manages your care will often require authorizations and or provide a limit to the number of sessions. When the number and/or frequency of your sessions depends upon the company managing your care, it places your treatment out of our control. Treatment works best when both therapist and patient make the decisions.

LOCATIONS SERVED IN SOUTH FLORIDA

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