Here are some answers to the most common questions about the office and counseling. If you have further questions, please email and Kathleen will respond within 24 hours.
What are your hours?
I am in the office Monday through Friday by appointment. The earliest appointment is at 9:30am and the latest session begins at 5pm. I will work closely with you to find the best time and day to fit your schedule.
What are your fees?
My fee varies depending on the type of service you are seeking. We can discuss fees by email or phone prior to your first appointment. 60-minute counseling sessions are $200; 90-minute couples sessions are $300. Couples work is self-pay because insurance does not cover relationship counseling.
Do you offer TeleHealth Sessions and Online Mediations?
Yes! Sessions are available by video conference and telephone. Video conference sessions are HIPAA compliant, secure, and will not be recorded or stored. Through audio and video over the internet, you can meet with me on-the-go from your desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile device. Telehealth allows us to connect anywhere with secure and convenient appointments that save you time and hassle. Research shows that telehealth sessions can be equally as effective as in-person sessions. This is also known as Telemental health, Telemedicine, Teletherapy, Telebehavioral Health, Online Therapy, Online Divorce Mediation.
How long will I be in therapy?
Sessions are typically once a week until both myself and the clients deem it appropriate to space sessions further apart. Individual counseling and co-parenting sessions are 50 minutes unless a double session time has been scheduled. Mediation meetings are 3 hours each.
When seeing couples, sessions are 90 minutes. I see both of you for the first session (90 minutes) and then each partner has an individual session (45 minutes). All the following sessions are together for 90 minute sessions. Extended sessions are also available.
Therapy may be brief, long-term or somewhere in between. The length of time you will be in therapy depends on the severity and nature of the problem you are experiencing and how long it has been an issue. You will get out of therapy what you put into it. Reaching your goals is a collaborative effort that takes place over time and your participation is crucial. I will be assigning you “homework” on a weekly basis. Your effort inside my office as well as outside my office will have a direct impact on your rate of progress.
Who is a Certified Gottman Therapist?
Kathleen Shack is 1 of only 2 Certified Gottman Therapists in the state of Georgia. Certified Gottman Therapists are located worldwide and have spent years being specifically trained to provide Gottman Method Couples Therapy. Certified Gottman therapists have completed all levels of Gottman Method training including the certification track.
The Gottman Method is an approach to couples therapy that includes a thorough assessment of the couple relationship and integrates research-based interventions based on the Sound Relationship House Theory.
Prior to Kathleen Shack's intensive training with Drs. John and Julie Gottman, she completed a Master's of Science graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy/Family Studies. Her undergraduate degree was completed in Psychology. Kathleen has had her own private therapy practice since 2007 and has been working with couples, individuals, children and families since 1999.
Who Can Benefit from the Gottman Method?
Sometimes you just need some extra support getting through a difficult time, or some guidance navigating through a complicated situation. Either way, the Gottman Method can help you uncover the true potential of your relationship. Interventions are designed to help couples strengthen their relationships in three primary areas: friendship, conflict management, and creation of shared meaning. Couples learn to replace negative conflict patterns with positive interactions and to repair past hurts. Interventions designed to increase closeness and intimacy are used to improve friendship, deepen emotional connection, and create changes which enhances the couples shared goals. Relapse prevention is also addressed.
The goals of Gottman Method Couples Therapy are to disarm conflicting verbal communication; increase intimacy, respect, and affection; remove barriers that create a feeling of stagnancy; and create a heightened sense of empathy and understanding within the context of the relationship. Even couples with “normal” levels of conflict may benefit from the Gottman Method Couples Therapy. Gottman-trained therapists aim to help couples build stronger relationships overall and healthier ways to cope with issues as they arise in the future.
In his New York Times bestselling book The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, Dr. John Gottman writes, “Although you may feel your situation is unique, we have found that all marital conflicts fall into two categories: Either they can be resolved, or they are perpetual, which means they will be part of your lives forever, in some form or another.” Gottman says that 69% of marital conflicts are perpetual problems, and these are of particular focus in much of the work performed by Gottman-trained therapists.
The Gottman Method is designed to support couples across all economic, racial, sexual orientation, and cultural sectors. Research has shown Gottman Method Couples Therapy to be effective for treating same-sex relationships.
Who are Marriage and Family Therapists?
Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are mental health professionals trained in psychotherapy and family systems, and licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage, couples and family systems. MFTs are a highly experienced group of practitioners, with an average of 13 years of clinical practice in the field of marriage and family therapy. They evaluate and treat mental and emotional disorders, other health and behavioral problems, and address a wide array of relationship issues within the context of the family system.
MFTs broaden the traditional emphasis on the individual to attend to the nature and role of individuals in primary relationship networks such as marriage and the family. MFTs are concerned with the overall, long-term well-being of individuals and their families. Studies show that clients are highly satisfied with services of MFTs. Clients report marked improvement in work productivity, co-worker relationships, family relationships, partner relationships, emotional health, overall health, social life, and community involvement. In a recent study, consumers report that marriage and family therapists are the mental health professionals they would most likely recommend to friends. Over 98% of clients of marriage and family therapists report therapy services as good or excellent. Please go to www.aamft.org for further information about Marriage and Family Therapy.
Next Steps:
For more information and a free phone consultation, call or email Kathleen today!
Click the button to the right to schedule a session. I look forward to meeting with you!
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