Frequently Asked Questions
- What usually takes place in sessions?
- Who should attend the first session?
- How long will therapy take and how often will we meet?
- What about payment?
- What About Missed Appointments?
- What Are Our Policies Regarding Divorce Situations?
- What is a Psychoanalyst?
- Why would you consult a child Psychoanalyst?
- When will I know that my problems are severe enough to see someone?
- If I see an Analyst, does that mean that I am crazy?
- What causes Mental Illness?
- Why use animals in Mental Health Therapy?
- What do animals bring to therapy?
- How are animal staff members of The Humane Connection used in therapy?
- Does Dr. Linnan test very young children for Autism?
What usually takes place in sessions?
The first session typically covers general information your therapist needs to know. Questions will help him or her gauge your areas of concern, how long these have been an issue, family background and history, support systems, and other information that might prove helpful in evaluating your problem. Prior treatment history, if it has occurred, is important to discuss with your counselor to help identify what has or has not worked in the past. In certain cases, you may even be given handouts and/or assignments to further educate and provide you with more resources to help address your problem.
Who should attend the first session?
It is recommended that all parties involved attend the first session. If you’re coming for couples counseling, the therapist will see you both for the first visit, then individually for one or more additional appointments in order to gather relevant background history. From then on, you will likely be together for all other appointments. The same would apply for parent child concerns. This would allow everyone to feel like they’re starting on equal footing. Each party will have the opportunity to discuss their concerns with everyone present. There may be exceptions in cases involving young children under the age of seven. Dr. Linnan would like to see the parents first and then have an appointment with the parent and child together at the next visit. Other situations could involve exceptions to this as well. Please check with your counselor if you have questions.
How long will therapy take and how often will we meet?
Sessions are ordinarily scheduled on the hour and last 45 minutes. Therapy is a very individual process. There is no set amount of time it takes to complete or come to a stopping point. You and your therapist will work together to identify treatment goals, understand the triggers to undesired feelings and behaviors, learn new coping skills, and draw upon already existing strengths and skills. Some people choose to come more frequently, others less. We work together for a mutually agreed upon treatment interval.
What about payment?
Payment (co-payments, deductible and coinsurance) is due at the beginning of each session. We accept cash and checks. We will bill your insurance carrier on your behalf after each visit. However, your insurance is a contract between you and your carrier. Our primary relationship is with you, not your insurance company. We will cooperate with you and with them to expedite payment of your claims. If they deny all or part of your claim, you are responsible for payment of the account. Remember, you are a customer of your insurance company and you pay the premiums either directly or indirectly. Therefore, your insurance company must be responsible to you and answer your questions or complaints about your insurance coverage.
What About Missed Appointments?
We understand that emergencies do arise. Please discuss the nature of the emergency with your counselor to avoid a late cancellation charge. Unless appointments are cancelled at least 24 hours in advance of their scheduled time, there will be a full fee charge for all missed or late cancelled appointments at the rate of a normal office visit. Insurance will not reimburse for missed sessions. Sunday appointments must be cancelled by Friday no later than 5 p.m. and Monday appointments must be cancelled no later than Saturday at 5 p.m.
What Are Our Policies Regarding Divorce Situations?
What Are Our Policies Regarding Divorce Situations?Dr. Linnan looks to the adult who has brought the child in for the appointment, to be responsible for payment of services that are rendered to the child. We also expect the parents to be able to work out payment arrangements with each other and not involve our office in any disputes that may arise. We will meet with both parents so that they can be united in the child’s process.
What is a Psychoanalyst?
A Psychoanalyst can begin as a psychiatrist or a Clinical psychologist. He works with diagnosis and treatment of emotional disorders by exploring a patient’s mental and emotional history and makeup. Treatment is usually long-term. An analyst uses the following three methods in his/her work:
- A systematized set of theories about human behavior.
- Method of investigation of the mind.
- A psychoanalyst refers to a person who has been trained and has the certification as an analyst. The analyst studies human psychology, functioning, and behavior. It clearly shows how human beings think when they are faced with various life-style problems.
Why would you consult a child Psychoanalyst?
As with psychiatrists, child analysts see some children and adolescents with symptoms of delays of functions. Some may suffer with severe mental illnesses, but most children and adolescents who seek assistance from a certified psychoanalyst have a variety of difficulties that are interfering with their ability to succeed in school, to get along with friends, or get along with their parents. Many blended families and single parents have found information and therapy most beneficial as well.
When will I know that my problems are severe enough to see someone?
When will I know that my problems are severe enough to see someone?Feeling blue or stressed is something most everyone will experience. These times usually pass and we begin to feel like ourselves again. Sometimes these problems persist a long time or start to interfere with daily life. You may have trouble sleeping, may feel irrable, or begin to have difficulty in your jobs and relationships. Dr. Linnan will provide a cost free initial appointment to help determine whether this treatment may be able to help.
If I see an Analyst, does that mean that I am crazy?
NO. There is a negative stereotype that many people have that can make them shy about coming to see a mental health professional. Because of this stereotype, many people put off treatment when they could have been feeling better long ago. Seeing a mental health specialist really means that you are struggling with feelings or behavior and would like help. Often you are given a diagnosis. This diagnosis is a shorthand form to describe the types of problems you have, to qualify you for services from schools or the government, and to help you get reimbursement from your insurance company. We firmly believe, though, that a diagnosis does not define who you are and definitely does not mean anything bad about you. All people are unique and any two people with the same diagnosis are usually very different from each other. So, coming to The Humane Connection does not mean that you or you family members are crazy and if you need to take a survey from your friends, family members, or co-workers, you will probably find a large percentage of people who have sought treatment for mental health at some time in their lives.
What causes Mental Illness?
The brain is magnificent organ that has been a target of research for years. As a consequence, we know alot more about the brain than ever before. Scientists have found that people with mental illness may have a higher predisposition to those problems, just as many people have a predisposition to diabetes or asthma. These predispositions are not a personal weakness. They may be a random difference in how your brain developed, or they may be genetic. We know that many people with depression, thought disorders, anxiety, and learning difficulties (among others) have other family members with the same problems. Therefore, we cannot know what triggers this predisposition in most people but we do know that most mental illnesses are rooted in how the brain works and not whether you are a good person
Why use animals in Mental Health Therapy?
Animal Assisted Therapy – AAT—has evidence based-clinically controlled research since the 70’s. Dr. Boris Levenson has studied the therapeutic use of animals in treatment. This began quite by accident in 1953 when a young patient’s 1st appt caused the patient to come early. He met Jingles when he arrived and Dr. L. found that his dog helped the patient establish rapport and facilitate a bond between them. He recognized the powerful effect that the animal had and thus began his future in animal-human bond research.
Animal Assisted Therapy uses animals to enhance an individual’s physical-emotional and social well being, thus improving self-esteem, reducing anxiety, and facilitating healing.
Animal Assisted Therapy uses animals to enhance an individual’s physical-emotional and social well being, thus improving self-esteem, reducing anxiety, and facilitating healing.
What do animals bring to therapy?
“The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world—he one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog”
SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE
Dr. Carl Rogers is known as the father of client-centered psychology. He dedicated himself to Humanistic Psychology and is well known for that. He began developing his humanistic concept while working with abused children. Dr. Rogers believed that the most important quality of the counseling relationship is the establishment of a warm permissive and accepting therapist, which allows the client to explore his self-structure in relation to his unique experience. This is accomplished by providing a safe environment. Research has demonstrated that animals have a calming and trusting effect, reducing blood pressure and anxiety when used with people in a number of settings. I personally experienced this effect on children while working with a Developmentally Disabled population of children-pre-school to 22 yrs of age, at George Key School in Placentia. Animals tend to make people less lonely and bring out positive characteristics. Many hospitals and nursing homes use animal programs to help reduce feelings of depression and isolation in their patients as well as stimulating mental activities through interaction with the animals. Animals provide a non-judgmental love that works across all ages
Children are generally attracted to animals and can often express themselves better with animals than with other children or other adults. Animals are often used to calm children who have experienced physical or mental trauma.
SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE
Dr. Carl Rogers is known as the father of client-centered psychology. He dedicated himself to Humanistic Psychology and is well known for that. He began developing his humanistic concept while working with abused children. Dr. Rogers believed that the most important quality of the counseling relationship is the establishment of a warm permissive and accepting therapist, which allows the client to explore his self-structure in relation to his unique experience. This is accomplished by providing a safe environment. Research has demonstrated that animals have a calming and trusting effect, reducing blood pressure and anxiety when used with people in a number of settings. I personally experienced this effect on children while working with a Developmentally Disabled population of children-pre-school to 22 yrs of age, at George Key School in Placentia. Animals tend to make people less lonely and bring out positive characteristics. Many hospitals and nursing homes use animal programs to help reduce feelings of depression and isolation in their patients as well as stimulating mental activities through interaction with the animals. Animals provide a non-judgmental love that works across all ages
Children are generally attracted to animals and can often express themselves better with animals than with other children or other adults. Animals are often used to calm children who have experienced physical or mental trauma.
How are animal staff members of The Humane Connection used in therapy?
Each person or family member is unique and therefore will have his own relationship. The person/family is introduced to the animal family and the connection is made spontaneously. One might be attracted to one of the miniature horses while another might choose a pig or an alpaca or a zebra. Others have connected with Gigi, an apricot standard poodle or Eliza Dolittle, Dr. Linnan’s blind wolf. Some people fall in love with one of the cat family. Bubba, a pinto goat grown up here is a favorite. These animals are visited, fed carrots or treats to, groomed, walked, or sometimes just hang out with us. Check our section on our animal family to acquaint you with our family.
Does Dr. Linnan test very young children for Autism?
Yes, Dr. Linnan has Co-Chaired the 2nd International Conference on Autism held in 2008 in Yorba Lynda, California. She has worked with testing young children for Autism since the early 90’s. Besides her private practice, she served as Part C Coordinator for the Placentia-Yorba Lynda School District and The Brea District for over 10 years. She is Chair of Orange County Early Childhood Mental Collaboration and was Chair of South Chapter—Southern 10 counties of the State for 6 years for IDA-The Infant Development Association. She was Staff, Student, and Faculty for two years for Dr. Constance Lillas’ program on The Psychoanalytical, Neurological, and Biological Development of The Brain between Zero and Three. She served as trainer –member of the State Infant Mental Health Advisory Board in the 90s—She continues to be a Student Advocate and continues to work with and test very young children with symptoms in the PDD area.