+ How do I schedule a Consultation or Appointment?
Please email me at drk@drkristinanderson.com and I will provide a link to my online scheduler.
+ Do you accept insurance?
I am not in-network for any insurance plans. And while I do not file insurance for my clients, I can provide you with a completed insurance form that will allow you to submit a claim. However, to qualify you must be diagnosed with a mental disorder. Many people seeking therapy do not have nor want a mental disorder diagnosis.
+ What are your fees?
Fees are based on type of service, length of session and location of session. Visa, MasterCard, and Discover along with Zelle and Venmo are accepted. Please contact me for specific services and rates. Payment is due at the time of service.
+ What is your position on medication?
Most of my clients seek therapy or consulting with me because they prefer not to take medication. In my 30+ years of professional experience, I’ve come to see that the psychotropic medications are not doing the job as desired for most people. For example, a surprisingly large number of people are taking antidepressants (you might do an internet search on this to see if the number surprises you too) yet they are still depressed. If there were benefits to taking, over time they decrease which leads to dosage increases or additional medications. People continue to take the drugs not because they are working but because they experience miserable symptoms of withdrawal when stopping. Even worse, research is suggesting these drugs have detrimental side-effects like emotional numbing, fatigue, weight gain and agitation which can make deeper and long lasting healing more difficult.
In the long term, people are often no better or are worse off taking drugs. Because of this, I am very cautious about recommending psychotropic medications. If you are currently taking medication and it works for you, that is good news and there is no need for change. If it’s not working for you, we can talk about its efficacy and you can decide if you want to continue or discontinue taking. If you choose to discontinue, I can support you while you work with your MD to discontinue.
+ How long will I be in therapy?
This will be up to you. Therapy may be brief, long-term or somewhere in between. The length of time you will be in therapy depends on several factors including the severity and nature of the problem you are experiencing and how long it has been an issue. I believe as with most things, you will get out of therapy what you put into it. Reaching your goal is a collaborative effort that takes place over time and the extent of your participation makes a difference.
Therapy is a resource for dealing with life’s pressures and obstacles. Wise people utilize the resources of therapy to enhance their life. They use therapy to work on certain issues. When these issues are improved, they stop therapy but may resume at a later time when new challenges arise.
+ How long is each session and how frequently do I come in?
A standard session for individuals is 45 to 60 minutes and 60 minutes for couples. Some people find this length of time to be too short. If this is the case, we can arrange for longer sessions including intensives (length to be determined).
We will also discuss how often to come in. Once per week is common. When first beginning, it works best to come in more frequently. If time constraints make weekly appointments difficult, we will find a frequency that works best for your situation and schedule.
+ Do you work with all types of people, issues and disorders?
This is a valuable question because it is extremely important that you work with someone whose experience matches your goals. Although I only speak English (regrettably), I work with people from all cultures and backgrounds. I appreciate and honor diversity. The people I work with are high functioning individuals who are wanting to improve their lives in one or more ways. Individuals may be struggling with depression, fatigue, low-motivation, anxiety, self-confidence, and/or perfectionism. They may be much better at taking care of others than themselves. Most of the people I work with do not have a mental disorder. None of the people I work with are “crazy.”
There are some disorders I do not work with because they are not my specialty. I do not treat schizophrenia, violent aggression, or work with people who are currently a physical danger to themselves or others. Please know your treatment is important and you deserve to work with a clinician who specializes in your issues.
I recommend you search for someone whose education and experience matches your goals. Please read my background to see if you think I’m right for you. If you are unsure, email me at drk@drkristinanderson.com and I’ll be happy to answer your questions.
+ Who goes to a psychologist?
People who participate in therapy are bright, well-educated individuals who are using their resources to make their lives better. You are likely consulting me because you want to change or improve certain aspects of your life such as relationships, career, feelings, or views about yourself. You may want to enhance specific elements of your sport. You may desire to feel more at peace with yourself and your life.
+ How does therapy work?
Together, we will work to change unhealthy attitudes and old habits that aren’t working. I will help you identify your feelings, perceptions and actions that may be controlling you, so that you can make conscious and aware decisions. You will learn to be patient with yourself and to notice your failures so you can improve on them. We will focus on your successes and help you learn to enjoy satisfaction with what you have and with whom you are, while always striving for more. Therapy can be hard work, but as you discover an increase in contentment, freedom, and happiness, you will appreciate the power this tool has for changing your life.
Because a therapy session is a small portion of time compared to all the hours in a week, I often assign “homework.” Your effort inside my office as well as outside will have a direct impact on your progress.
+ What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
People often confuse psychologist with psychiatrist and psychotherapist.
A psychologist is an individual with a Ph.D. in psychology. The overall goal of psychology is to utilize science and research to gain knowledge that will improve the human condition. To practice as a licensed psychologist, a person must have a Ph.D., many hours of academic training along with supervised experience and must pass the state board examinations. On average, a psychologist will have spent 12 years of education and training to earn a Ph.D. and license. In Texas, we are required to obtain 16 hours of continuing education per year to maintain our license. For more information regarding my specific education and training, please refer to About Dr. Anderson or see my LinkedIn.
A psychiatrist is an M.D.—they are trained to use medicine to treat medical conditions. Most do not do therapy because this is not their primary skill or focus. A psychotherapist usually has a master’s degree in psychology or social work and is licensed, for example, as an LPC (licensed professional counselor). They do not have the same amount of education as a Ph.D. but are often very experienced and knowledgeable in their field.