Therapy & Mental Health Services Appointments

You can contact one of our multiple therapy centers throughout Tennessee to schedule a therapy appointment by calling (615) 320-1155. One of our expert care coordinators is standing by to assist you with any questions or concerns about scheduling a counseling appointment with one of our qualified therapists. Alternatively, you can complete our confidential online form to avoid possible telephone hold times.

Having a phone consultation with a potential therapist before your first session is also an option. Before your first session, your therapist may be able to help you with any questions to reduce your anxiety. In addition, by dispelling some of the mystery around the vague and frequently daunting concept of therapy, your introductory phone consultation may help you better prepare.

You might be wary of speaking with a psychologist. That level of worry is quite reasonable. But even just deciding to call and follow through on that decision might make you feel relieved and put you on a more optimistic course.¹

Athena Care offers many therapy services for various behavioral and mental health disorders, including the following:

• Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy (ABA)
• Telehealth
• In-Person Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Couples Counseling
• Medication Management
• Behavioral Health Assessments
• Spravato (Esketamine)
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Family Systems Therapy
• Interpersonal Psychotherapy
• Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
• Psychodynamic Therapy

You may have discussed therapy logistics in advance with your therapist or the personnel at their office. In any case, it’s essential to prioritize the practical questions first. This includes billing details, whether they accept your insurance, whether they have payment plans or a sliding scale, how many sessions you should anticipate, how often you’ll see this therapist, and how long each session will last.²

Once you’ve made a therapist appointment, knowing what to expect before your first session can be helpful. The following are a few things you can do when preparing for therapy:

• Fill out new patient documentation: You can download paperwork from your psychologist’s website and complete them in advance. If not, you might request that your psychologist bring you the necessary papers so you can fill them out at home rather than in the waiting room. Additionally, your psychologist might give you a packet of information on practical matters like cancellation fees and confidentiality.
• Obtain the records of any other psychologists or medical professionals you have visited.
• Create a list of questions, such as those regarding the typical length of treatment, the psychologist’s thoughts on medication, or the best resources (i.e., books, medical journals) for your issue.
• Learn about therapy: Ask your friends who have undergone psychotherapy about their experiences, or read up on it. If you’ve already received treatment, consider the aspects of your previous psychologist’s approach that you liked and disliked.
• Be open-minded: Be willing to try it even if you have doubts or are only coming because someone advised you to. To make the most of this chance to understand oneself better, be willing to be open and honest.
• Bring a list of all your mental and physical wellness medications, including the name, dosage, frequency, and any side effects you’re feeling.³
• Block out time before and after your session: Whether during your first appointment or another session, this can reduce tension and give you time to process the work. If you want to have enough time to prepare for and process following your first session, you might wish to request a mental health day off from work.

To complete any unfinished paperwork before the first appointment, try to arrive 15 minutes early. You and the therapist will use the first appointment or two to get to know one another and determine whether the therapist can help you.

The first therapy appointment you attend will probably differ slightly from the others. As your therapist begins to get to know you and what you’re going through, they will probably ask you many questions. You might be questioned about your early life, education, employment, relationships, thoughts, feelings, or behaviors, depending on the therapist, their therapeutic style, and, of course, your particular issues. Your therapist can better understand you and determine how to help you based on your responses.

You may feel excitement and anxiety during therapy preparation for your first session. After all, you want to feel better and get healthier. This fantastic attitude will keep you engaged even when therapy is challenging. Still, it can also make you expect too much from your first session.

Realistic expectations for the therapy process, in general, and the first session are crucial. Because mental health is complex, therapy isn’t a quick fix. You probably won’t find answers in your first session. It takes time to overcome and resolve challenges, just as it does for issues to arise and start interfering with your life.

Typically, therapy appointments are once a week and can last anywhere from 30 to 50 minutes. The duration of therapy will unavoidably vary from person to person. The type and length of the treatment should always be suited to the nature and severity of the patient’s presenting problems.⁴

Compared to chronic issues, acute challenges typically require fewer therapy sessions. Additionally, the treatment time varies depending on the treatment being given. Evidence based treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy, for example, are typically shorter than psychotherapies with a broader focus.

According to self-reported symptom measurements, a recent study shows that 50% of patients need an average of 15 to 20 sessions to recover.

Below is a list of typical therapy offerings:

• Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy (ABA)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Couples Counseling
• Group Therapy
• Medication Management
• Spravato (Esketamine)
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Family Systems Therapy
• Interpersonal Psychotherapy
• Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
• Psychodynamic Therapy

Therapy can address a wide range of disorders, including:⁵

• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Anxiety
• Eating disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Schizophrenia
• Addictions
• Personality disorders

Sources

1. “Understanding Psychotherapy and How It… Understanding Psychotherapy and How It Works: Learn How to Choose a Psychologist, How Therapy Works, How Long It Lasts and What Should and Shouldn’t Happen During Psychotherapy.” American Psychological Association (APA), 1 Nov. 2012, www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/understanding.
2. “How to Prepare for Your First Therapy Session.” Choosing Therapy, 27 Jan. 2022, www.choosingtherapy.com/prepare-for-first-therapy-session.
3. “Preparing for a Therapy Appointment.” Caltech, wellness.caltech.edu/documents/5537/Preparing_for_a_Therapy_Appointment.pdf. Accessed 9 Feb. 2023.
4. “How Long Will It Take for Treatment to Work?” American Psychological Association (APA), www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/length-treatment. Accessed 9 Feb. 2023.
5. “Types of Psychotherapy.” WebMD, 10 Feb. 2003, www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-psychotherapy.