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FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions) Is the treatment you offer "alternative"?
We offer traditional and current evidence-based
methods of counseling and psychotherapy. We are an alternative choice
to impersonal clinics, managed care groups, and other settings. We
work with people who may have chosen alternative lifestyles. We offer
alternative choices until we find the best solution for each individual.
We are not "alternative healers". Our treatment is individualized and
is designed to relieve symptoms, resolve conflicts and improve quality of
life. What is the average length of treatment? Some people can get what they need and want to do in 6-12 sessions or less. Most patients in this category are referred for a specific problem or to get back on track after a small setback. Work with past history, the unconscious, or problems related to personality traits, while often necessary, falls largely outside the scope of counseling or short-term psychotherapy. Typically, a long standing problem takes longer, although in some cases can still be settled in under 20 sessions. More frequently, however, we see people for long-term psychotherapy which can take many months or even years. Do you recommend medication for everyone? We recommend a consult for medication when the symptoms that need addressing are either too severe or too uncomfortable for us to work through in counseling or psychotherapy alone. Sometimes the most effective treatment is some combination of medication and therapy together. This is reviewed and discussed on an individual basis, if necessary. We do not believe that medication is the answer to all that ails us. Why should I continue in therapy once I feel
better? Medication alone can often make a
difference in the way you feel, but once you stop taking the medication the
original symptoms may return. In addition, once symptoms such as those
of anxiety or depression, for example, have been alleviated people often
improve with future therapy to the point that they can function even more
effectively in all areas of their lives. In addition, this gives them
the time to make changes that may prevent further anxiety or depression.
While we are all trained and knowledgeable in the more current, evidence
based theories and techniques and use these to supplement our deeper long
term work, many people who come to see us choose to spend more time to
resolve other issues once they are satisfied in their short term treatment.
Some of our patients are dealing with the effects of childhood trauma or
chronic depression and need deeper work in order to lead a full life.
Still others, typically highly educated and relatively privileged, are
investing in personal growth and wisdom for the sake of a richer and more
fulfilling life, to improve the emotional and physical How are referrals made to your practice? New referrals are most often sent to us by friends, family members, social workers, schools, primary care physicians, internists and other medical specialists. Some of our youngest patients and their families are referred through early diagnosis and intervention programs at their places of worship, pre-schools, or hospitals such as Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), DuPont, Jefferson, etc. This is a picture of our front door; give us a call to make an appointment. Please e-mail us with any other questions you may have. We will answer you personally, and perhaps add your question to this site.
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well-being, and to enable them to cope with a very challenging leadership
role. New health care trends in managed care have made this very
difficult for the average individual. At Alternative Choices, we
attempt to work with everyone within their means to provide longer term
treatment by utilizing a sliding pay scale which often enables us to be more
inclusive.