What Is Your Organization Doing To Combat Racism?

The Grand Rapids Specialty therapists stand with those fighting systemic injustice, police violence, the dismantling of Black and Brown communities and the effects of white supremacy. We know that this is not a single point in time but rather a long-term commitment to stand up and do our work. Our work looks like listening. We listen to our clients who come to us with knowledge, experience, pain and hope. We also listen to Black, Brown and Indigenous leaders in order to learn and unlearn. Our work looks like acknowledgement. We acknowledge that our clients know their stories better than we do and we need to believe their pain always. We also acknowledge the white privilege and biases we carry. Our work looks like education. We educate ourselves by engaging our clients every day. We also educate ourselves by seeking our knowledge from Black, Brown and Indigenous consultants and authors who can show us our blind spots and where our work needs to focus. Our work looks like commitment. We commit to showing up for our clients even when we've blundered. We will apologize and correct our behavior. We also commit to continuing the work of anti-racism even when it feels uncomfortable, tiring or costly. Our work looks like advocacy. We advocate for our clients within the systems that oppress them. We also commit to advocacy work within the therapy community which we know has its own history of oppression. We are humbled by the work ahead and honored to continue to walk alongside our most vulnerable and marginalized populations.

How Long Will I Be In Therapy?

Everyone’s circumstances are unique to them and the length of time therapy can take to allow you to accomplish your goals depends on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the factors that are driving you to seek therapy in the first place.

You are an active participant in therapy and your dedication is crucial to your success. After all, typically we only see each other for a session a week. It’s the work you do outside of our sessions that will really help you see your personal growth and development. We also believe the therapeutic relationship is of high importance.

What Happens In Therapy?

Therapy (also called counseling, psychotherapy, or “talk” therapy) is a dynamic process of self-exploration in a safe, contained, space with another person (the therapist). Every therapist has their own style of connecting with clients but should always use evidence-based approaches to assist clients in identifying patterns in thought and behavior which are problematic. Together, therapist and client work to replace the destructive thoughts and behaviors with healthy, productive ones.

What If I'm Not Able To Use My Insurance Benefits?

Our clinicians are able to provide you with a statement with all of the information necessary to have some (or in some cases all or most) of the cost of your therapy session reimbursed by your insurance company. To find out if this is a possibility for you, call the behavioral health number on the back of your health insurance card and inquire about out of network provider reimbursement.

Some of our clinicians offer sliding fee scales to make therapy more affordable when health insurance denies coverage for the service. Please inquire with therapists directly about their cash rates.

How Will I Know If You Accept My Insurance?

In some cases, insurance companies cover the cost of therapy. It is rare that insurance will cover couples therapy or sex therapy. Many of our providers are paneled with virtually all major insurance providers but it would be best to identify a clinician who seems to be the best fit and inquire with them directly about their insurance participation.

How Is Sex Therapy Different From Traditional Therapy?

Sex therapy is psychotherapy which focuses on exploring specific sexual problems. Sex therapy uses a combination of solution-focused, cognitive-behavioral, and psychodynamic approaches. As with traditional therapy or counseling, clients and therapists never touch during sex therapy. Rather, therapists may suggest exercises which clients can perform at home either individually or with their partner.