Answers to Relationship Counseling FAQs in Reno, NV

Scheduling with us is easy. Follow this link to our scheduling portal. You'll find easy instructions for new client and existing client appointment requests. If you're a new client requesting an appointment, we'll send you intake materials via email. When these materials are completed (takes about 15-minutes) within 48-hrs, your appointment will be confirmed. 

Please note that it is important to get these intake materials completed for us within 48-hrs so we can continue to hold your spot in our practice. Thank you in advance.

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you’ve faced, there’s nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired.

You are taking responsibility by accepting where you’re at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face. This is one of the most frequently asked questions about therapy.

This is a common dilemma, especially for people in couple therapy. We offer therapy at convenient days and hours including Monday-Friday sessions from 9:00 am until 6:30 pm. We also have Saturday session available. Our job is to create stress relief, not more stress so we try to find ways to be flexible and accommodate multiple schedules. We also offer online therapy sessions.

Once you are an active client in our practice we advise you schedule well in advance. This way, you are more likely to get days and hours you prefer.

At Individual & Relationship Counseling Associates, we understand that considering starting therapy can bring up questions like, “Will our therapist tell us what to do?” Our experience is that concern about being told what to do is one of the reasons people don't start therapy. They worry that therapy will be about the therapist's agenda or the therapist making a judgement call. The short answer to this question at our practice is NO, our therapists won’t tell you what to do. Instead, we believe in a collaborative approach to therapy that respects your role as the expert on your own life.

Our team of therapists combines professional training with a deep understanding of emotional and relational dynamics. Rather than providing directives or instructions, we focus on helping you explore your emotions, thoughts, and relational patterns. This process allows us to uncover areas that might not be immediately apparent to you and to provide insights and perspectives that can support meaningful change.

The Importance of Therapy as a Collaborative Process

Every individual and relationship is unique. What works for one couple or individual might not work for another. That’s why our approach emphasizes collaboration—we work together with you to clarify your goals, understand your challenges, and identify the best path forward.

This means that instead of prescribing solutions, we’ll help you gain the clarity and tools to take actions and make decisions that align with your values and needs.

For example:

• • We’ll work with you to uncover interaction patterns that might be keeping you stuck, such as cycles of conflict or emotional withdrawal.

• • We’ll help you explore underlying emotional needs and fears, often shaped by past attachment experiences, and how they play out in your relationships.

Our Role as Your Therapists

Think of us as guides and facilitators. We provide the structure and tools to help you connect with your emotions and each other more effectively, but we won’t take over as decision-makers in your life. Our job is to present options, insights, and new ways of understanding, while you decide how to move forward.

For instance, our therapists might:

• • Map out emotional patterns in your relationship to help you better understand triggers and responses.

• • Guide conversations to create a safe space for expressing deeper emotions and needs.

• • Introduce attachment principles to strengthen your bond and provide frameworks for connection and repair.

Why This Works Better Than Being Told What to Do

Lasting change comes from experience, not external instructions. When you’re actively involved in the process—discovering your own insights and solutions—you’re more likely to make changes that are authentic and sustainable. We create this kind of experiential therapeutic process.

We recognize that life is complex, and only you can fully understand the nuances of your situation. By focusing on your unique strengths and insights, we help you build the confidence to address challenges in a way that fits your life, goals, values and worldview.

A Safe and Supportive Space

At Individual & Relationship Counseling Associates, our goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment where you feel empowered to make the best choices for yourself. While we won’t tell you what to do, we’ll work with you every step of the way, offering guidance, tools, and compassionate understanding to help you navigate challenges and build a stronger connection with yourself and your loved ones.

If you’re ready to explore this collaborative approach to therapy, reach out to us today. Together, we’ll help you gain the clarity and connection you need to move forward. Our Care Coordinator is available at 775-235-2205.

One of the most common questions we're asked is, "how do I I know if my insurance will cover therapy?" We've created this post to help you find out. We are contracted with some and are not an “in-network” provider for others. What this means is that some insurers will pay for the majority of our session (you may have a copay) and others may pay a portion of the fee. There are benefits and drawbacks to each case and will be happy to discuss these with you.

To determine if you have mental health coverage, the first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage carefully and find the answers to the following questions:

• What are my mental health benefits?
• What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
• How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
• How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
• Is approval required from my primary care physician?

Additionally and importantly, many insurance companies limit coverage for couples and families so make sure to verify your specific insurance plan for details. We do accept HSA or FSA (health or flex savings account) payment.

Effective January 1, 2022 under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, a ruling went into effect called the “No Surprises Act” which requires practitioners to provide a “Good Faith Estimate” about out-of-network care. At Emotional & Relationship Health Associates, we work from a place of transparency regarding the cost of therapy sessions and the therapist and client collaborate together on length of treatment and overall care.

This is an issue of considerable recent discussion. Therefore, it is one of the most asked questions about 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.

Our therapy offices are centrally located in Reno, NV, at 403 Flint St. You'll find a convenient map icon on all pages of our website.  We are one block east of Arlington Ave, between California Ave. and Liberty St. We are near the Nevada Museum of Art, Wingfield Park and the Cheese Board restaurant.

This is a very frequently asked question. At Individual & Relationship Counseling Associates, we often encounter situations where one partner is hesitant or unwilling to participate in couples therapy. Our message in these instances is clear and encouraging: come in anyway! It's a common misconception that both partners need to be present from the start to effect change in the relationship. In reality, when one partner engages in therapy, it can lead to positive shifts in the couple's dynamic. The insights and personal growth gained in individual sessions can ripple out, influencing the relationship in constructive ways.

We also recommend inviting your partner to attend just one session initially. This can be a non-threatening way for them to experience therapy and see if they find it beneficial. Often, the key to engaging a reluctant partner is allowing them the space to feel heard and supported in a therapeutic setting. Once they experience this firsthand, many partners become more open to the process.

At ERHA we understand that every relationship is unique, and we tailor our approach to fit the specific needs and circumstances of each couple. Even if your partner is initially resistant, we are here to support you and offer strategies to help both of you navigate this journey. Our goal is to create a safe and constructive space where both partners feel valued and understood, whether they start therapy together or one begins the journey alone.

When a client makes an appointment the requested time is reserved exclusively for them. We highly value our therapists and their time. Our therapists have a limited number of session spaces available each week. (A number of hours go into pre and post session work and this completes a weekly workload). With adequate cancellation time (48-weekday-hours) we are able to make this space available to another client. When a session space goes unfilled because of failure to cancel or attend, it affects our therapist's income. 

Thank you in advance for understanding.