Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for counseling services?
Dr. Angel’s Development is a mental health counseling center who serves: Adults, Adolescents, Children, Families, and Couples. Anyone who is struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship concerns, life transitions, and a variety of other challenges can receive services. Dr. Angel’s Development provides developmentally-based assessment and counseling services that are individualized for each client’s needs.
How do I sign up for counseling?
If you are interested in counseling, please call 727-501-6557 or make an appointment here.
What happens in counseling?
Generally, you will meet with your counselor regularly for about 45-50 minutes at the same time once each week. At these meetings, you will discuss your concerns and often provide some historical information. Counseling is a collaborative effort between the counselor and client. Professional counselors help clients identify goals and potential solutions to problems which cause emotional turmoil; seek to improve communication and coping skills; strengthen self-esteem; and promote behavior change and optimal mental health.
Through counseling you examine the behaviors, thoughts and feelings that are causing difficulties in your life. You learn effective ways to deal with your problems by building upon personal strengths and learning ways to encourage personal growth and foster your interest and welfare. It is not unusual for clients to feel nervous or uncomfortable at first, but this usually dissipates as your counselor helps you talk about your concerns.
Can I pay by credit card?
Yes, we accept Visa and MasterCard.
Is everything I say confidential?
Angel’s Development adheres to the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and subscribe to the Code of Ethics and Standards or Practice, which require counselors to protect the confidentiality of their communications with clients. As a client, you are guaranteed the protection of confidentiality within the boundaries of client/counselor relationships. Any disclosure will be made with your fill written, informed consent and will be limited to a specific period of time. The law in Florida provides the following exceptions to confidentiality, but even in these circumstances you will be informed before confidential information is revealed whenever possible:
- If the client discloses abuse of a child, elder, or a person with a disability.
- If the client discloses intent to harm himself/herself or others.
If the counselor receives a court order to the contrary.
Why is it better to work with a counselor than to work things out on your own?
Counselors are experts in helping people with personal issues that are keeping them from being happy, healthy, and moving forward. Many people find it much easier to deal with these issues with a professional than to do it alone.
How can I get information about having Dr. Angel speak at my event?
Send us your information with details and we will get back with you.
Can our agency/company book Dr. Angel to host a workshop for us?
Yes, Dr. Angel develops workshops and trainings specific for individual agency/company needs. Send us your information with details and we will get back with you.
I am interested in a personal growth workshop. How can I get more information?
Personal growth workshops are scheduled and listed on the events calendar.
I am a licensed counselor in another state, will your Continuing Education courses apply to me?
Currently, Continuing Education courses only apply toward Florida licensure. However, we are working to expand to other areas in the near future.
I am a Florida Registered Mental Health Intern, how does your supervision work?
- Supervision is offered for Florida interns in the fields of mental health and marriage and family therapy.
- Supervision is offered both individually and group format as well as face-to-face and electronic conferencing format.
- The fee for individual supervision (one-on-one) is $75 per supervision. The fee for group supervision is $50 per supervision.
- Supervision can be face-to-face (individual/ group) or over the computer utilizing teleconference technology. Florida requires at least 50% of supervision be in person (face-to-face).
How can therapy help?
Your therapist will work with you to identify your personal goals for counseling and then tailor counseling to you and your goals. You can expect that your therapist will listen closely to understand your experience and then find ways to assist you in moving towards your goals. Therapy is a personalized experience, so how it helps differs from person to person. It will often involve things such as getting a different perspective on your experiences, exploring and discovering things about yourself, making changes in unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaving, processing difficult experiences, and learning healthy coping tools.
What is an intake? What happens when I come in for one?
An intake is time for you to meet with a counselor to determine if Dr. Angel’s Development is the best service to address your needs. Once you have scheduled an intake, you will need to arrive 30 minutes before the intake to complete paperwork. The intake counselor will spend approximately 45 minutes discussing your concerns with you. At the end of the appointment, the intake counselor will discuss next steps in regard to recommending services that may be a good fit for you. If Dr. Angel’s Development cannot offer the services that best fit your needs, we will work with you to get you connected to a more appropriate resource.
How much do the counseling sessions cost?
Individual, Family, and Couple’s counseling services are $125/ 45-50 minute session. Group counseling is $25/ group session. Dr. Angel’s Development does have a sliding-fee-scale for individuals who qualify financially.
Can I receive a text reminder for my appointment?
Yes, with your written consent we can send out text reminders the day before your appointment.
How can I get the most out of my counseling sessions?
You can maximize the progress you make in counseling by being actively involved in the work you and your counselor are doing. Some suggestions include:
- Be on time and try not to miss any of your scheduled meetings, consistency is important with counseling
- Between sessions, make time to think about the things you have discussed with your counselor. Journaling about topics discussed can be helpful.
- Invest in following through on any homework assignments, readings, or books your counselor has suggested for you
Be as honest and open with your counselor as possible.
What benefits can I expect from working with a counselor?
- Counseling can provide insight and new perspectives into life’s challenges as well as it can assist you to create solutions to difficult problems. Many people find that working with a counselor can enhance personal development, improve relationships and family dynamics, and can ease the challenges of daily life. Overall, people in counseling tend to have lower levels of stress and anxiety, decreased conflict, and improve quality of life. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some additional benefits from counseling may include:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your personal goals, and values
- Developing new tools and skills for handling stress and anxiety
- Identifying and changing unhealthy behavior and long-standing patterns
- Finding resolutions to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
- Gaining insight into personal patterns and behavior
- Increasing confidence, peace, vitality, and well-being
- Improving ways to manage anger, depression, negative moods, and stress
- Discovering new ways to solve problems
- Learning how to navigate life’s obstacles more effectively
- Improving listening and communication skills
- Identifying individual strengths
- Improved self-esteem and boosting your self-confidence
Enhancing the overall quality of life
What benefits can I expect from working with a counselor?
Counseling can provide insight and new perspectives into life’s challenges as well as it can assist you to create solutions to difficult problems. Many people find that working with a counselor can enhance personal development, improve relationships and family dynamics, and can ease the challenges of daily life. Overall, people in counseling tend to have lower levels of stress and anxiety, decreased conflict, and improve quality of life. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some additional benefits from counseling may include:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your personal goals, and values
- Developing new tools and skills for handling stress and anxiety
- Identifying and changing unhealthy behavior and long-standing patterns
- Finding resolutions to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
- Gaining insight into personal patterns and behavior
- Increasing confidence, peace, vitality, and well-being
- Improving ways to manage anger, depression, negative moods, and stress
- Discovering new ways to solve problems
- Learning how to navigate life’s obstacles more effectively
- Improving listening and communication skills
- Identifying individual strengths
- Improved self-esteem and boosting your self-confidence
Enhancing the overall quality of life
How can I listen to Dr. Angel’s radio show, Go-Yard?
Go-Yard airs in the Tampa Bay market live on Thursday nights on WTAN 106.1FM at 6pm. The show is also available on www.goyard2014.org and www.tantalk1340.com under podcasts and Go-Yard.
What services do you offer for mental health professionals?
- Training, consultation, and supervision services are offered to mental health professionals.
- Continuing Education courses for Florida mental health professionals licensed under the 491 Board.
Supervision for licensure for those working to attain Florida Mental Health License or Florida Marriage and Family License.
Where do you report Continuing Education course completions?
We report directly to CE Broker as well as each participant receives a training completion certificate for his/her records.
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