Many social workers offer their services through a counseling agency. Some of these are privately run; others are funded by the county or state. Frequently, agencies charge for counseling services based on a sliding scale, which takes into account the financial situation of clients. Sliding scale rates can be very economical for lower-income individuals. Bills for services in some county and state agencies are made on a monthly basis; individual counseling may cost only a few dollars per session for individuals with restricted budgets.
There are many opportunities for clients to obtain economical care, especially in metropolitan areas where counseling services are widespread.
DURATION OF TREATMENT
It is impossible to give any hard and fast rules as to how long counseling will take. Obviously, much has to do with an individual's objectives, the severity of the problem, and, frequently, how long the problem has been neglected or ignored. On the other hand, much also has to do with the counselor's own orientation.
Today, many counselors receive training that emphasizes "brief" therapy. Specific goals of therapy are set, and it is frequently possible to reach those goals within a matter of a few months. On the other hand, some counselors prefer, or have been trained, to offer long-term individual psychotherapy. Some counselors have been influenced by the psychoanalytic approach, which is usually of long duration, frequently requiring one to several years.
There is no reason you, as a prospective client, should not ask a counselor what kind of approach he or she uses and approximately how long therapy can be expected to last. You should not hesitate to ask a counselor questions that reflect your concerns. As you read further, this book will provide you with a frame of reference so that you may evaluate more fully the answers a counselor gives you.
PSYCHOLOGISTS
As mentioned in the last chapter, there are three kinds of psychologists who are involved in different aspects of therapy: clinical psychologists, counseling psychologists, and psychometrists.
ORIENTATION AND TRAINING
Clinical psychology emphasizes the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals in psychological distress. Clinical psychology is historically based on laboratory work that stressed psychological assessment tests, and experimental and statistical analysis.