What is the difference between coaching and counseling?
Counseling is most often one-on-one interaction giving clients the tools to recognize and move through their life patterns (including releasing trauma when necessary). It usually involves focusing on what isn’t working and there is a mental health diagnosis (i.e., anxiety, depression, etc).
Coaching can have a broader scope involving long-term goal setting, skills building, and periodic “life compass checks.” Coaching is for people whose life is basically working, but they are feeling stuck in a one or two areas such as work, relationships, health, spirituality, etc. Life Coaching can be done via phone, email and in group settings.
What types of clients do you see and how long will it take?
For some clients, the work will be rather simple. It might take just a few sessions of goal setting and removal of limiting beliefs and they are ready to move on. For other clients, especially if their childhood was painful, they might be more fragmented (with different aspects of the self being in conflict), so the work might take longer.
Treatment length is not a barrier to working with Mary. However, due to Mary’s workshop and speaking commitments, she is not able to work with clients needing crisis intervention or weekly sessions. Mary does not accept many insurance plans. For those who need insurance coverage, we have provided a Referral List including clinicians Mary has trained. Mary is willing to do an initial evaluation, and with written permission from the client, consult with a referred practitioner of the client’s choosing about Mary’s clinical impressions.
Please email the office at Info@MarySise.com for further information.
How do I know which therapist is right for me?
The best way to determine which therapist is right for you is to sit down and ask yourself, “What do I need? What do I want?” If you are sensitive to criticism, you might want a therapist who is gentle and patient. If you are sick of listening to yourself and you want to move quickly, you might want a therapist whose style is direct. If you are afraid to make decisions, you might want a therapist who does not tell you what to do, but will be patient as you explore your own mind. Everyone works differently, everyone heals differently, and all ways are fine.
Most importantly, you will want to go “deep” with your therapist so you can become aware of the fears and beliefs that keep you afraid and hold you back, and use energy psychology methods to release them. Ask yourself: “How did I learn to be so afraid? What am I really afraid of? How did I forget who I really am?” Unless you discover these answers, your life will continue in a series of patterns with the same theme, just different stories, and you won’t grow. The goal is to learn how to listen to your inner guidance and intuition, not to depend on anyone outside of yourself (therapists included!) to tell you what to do.
Each therapist is different, each relationship unique. Understand that a therapist cannot take you further than she has gone herself, so sometimes you might work with a therapist who helps you through certain issues, but eventually you feel stuck with her. This is not unusual. It is often helpful to express this with your therapist, and if it can’t be worked through, then bless her for how she has helped you, and move on to another therapist. Trust your intuition; life is too precious to stay stuck!
Will my insurance pay for this?
Insurance plans will pay for counseling if there is a mental health diagnosis. The therapist usually has to submit a report to the insurance company which gives approval for a certain number of sessions. Following those sessions, the therapist has to submit another report of symptoms. The therapist also has contact with your medical doctor and the diagnosis goes into your medical records.
Many insurance plans (CDPHP, MVP, Blue Shield) also have their own acceptable network of practitioners. Mary no longer participates in those networks, but many clinicians that she recommends do participate.
Other insurance plans have an “out-of-network” benefit (most New York State employees have this benefit). In these cases, you pay Mary directly and she will bill your insurance company, and then payments are reimbursed to you.
Some people have a POS plan. This plan means that you can use any licensed social worker. Some Empire Blue Cross plans are POS plans. Mary does accept this insurance plan, and will submit your bill to the insurance company for you. You pay your co-pay at the time of service. Prior to calling Mary for an initial consultation, please call your insurance company to see which plan you have and what is and is not covered.
How long will it take?
Everyone is different. Some of Mary’s clients have been seeing her for years; others just come for a few sessions. It is up to you. If you are paying for services, as long as you and Mary concur that you are making progress, the work can continue. If your insurance is paying for the services, the treatment will have to meet the insurance company’s criteria.
What ages do you work with?
The energy healing methods Mary uses are proven safe and effective with all ages. However, Mary primarily works with adults. In special circumstances, she will work with children, especially a child who has experienced a recent trauma that needs processing.
What methods do you use?
Although Mary uses her clinical experience and intuition to determine what method she might use, it is not unusual for clients to prefer one method over another and to request using that particular method. Mary welcomes this, as it indicates that clients are becoming more aware of what their intuition is telling them and are confident enough to speak up.
In keeping with this philosophy, Mary can also teach you energetic methods that you can use on your own. She encourages clients to empower themselves in the healing process.
Can we work over the phone or computer?
Yes, Mary works with clients over the phone or on zoom when appropriate. Sessions via phone are not appropriate for someone who has had trauma where the body has been hurt (such as a car accident, physical or sexual violence), mainly because often there is body memory or dissociation, and it is most helpful to have a therapist that you trust physically with you while you are working with these types of memories.
Will you try to change my religion?
Absolutely not. Mary believes the best religion is the one that brings you closest to God. Mary’s religious tradition is Catholic, and she has studied and participated in other religious traditions. Her life experiences and love of God are integrated in her work and life, and cannot be separated. Mary sees clients of all religions without a problem. Although her love of Jesus is never in question, her concepts of energy, dharma and karma might not fit well with some fundamentalist beliefs, so please reflect if Mary will be a good match for you.