Your Questions Answered!

Why would I want to Use Supportive talk?

People chose counseling for many reasons. Some find themselves at a cross roads and don’t know which way to turn. Others feel lost. Sometimes, you are just responding to new life situations, unexpected changes while others seek personal growth or self-exploration. If you are feeling unsure, overwhelmed, lost, hurt or filled with despair, counseling conversations can help. Talk-coaching can provide a caring professional listener, support, problem-solving or coping skills. This service excels in many areas. Please check out our List of Specialized Topic’s. Counseling conversations can help people get control back into their lives by encouraging taking responsibility for their actions, working towards greater awareness and self-change.

What will happen during my Phone conversation?

During the generalized counseling telephone conversation, you will have the opportunity to talk about your primary concerns and issues in your life. A session lasts as long as you pre-book it for time. It goes in 25 minute increments. You choose how long the session will last when you book your appointment. You can choose to get a quick answer or receive regular support. Usually weekly session are the best for 50 minutes depending upon your needs, schedule and availability. If you are really struggling, you may want to talk frequently until the crisis passes. During the time between sessions, it is very beneficial to think about what you have learned and implement changes in your life.

What benefits can I expect from working with a phone counselor?

A number of advantages are received from participating in telephone general counseling. Often it is helpful just to have someone listen to you that is caring, supportive and understanding. Communication with an expert can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or guide you to a positive solution. Many people find that regular conversations are a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, family concerns, interpersonal relationships or just the difficult changes, hassles in life. Your life doesn’t change unless you are willing to change how you live your life. So benefits are derived from practicing what you have learned just like when you take on a new sport, video game or skill.

Why would I spend the money for a counseling conversation?

It is an important investment in yourself that can lead to a Happier, Healthier and more Positive Life.

Supportive Talk a division of Counseling for a Better Life PLLC doesn’t take insurance,

how is that an advantage for me?​​

Insurance companies require a diagnosis before paying for treatment. Many of us are just struggling with life issues like loss, relationship problems or building self-confidence. Therefore, people put off seeking help because they don’t want to be labeled with a behavioral or mental diagnosis. Using insurance also leaves a permanent health record of your counseling issues. Private

pay will help you keep your issues confidential and private. If you do not use insurance, there will be no electronic record of your counseling and therefore other medical professionals, insurance companies, HR of your company or a good lawyer or hacker will not be able to get into your computer files because there will not be a record.

How do we get started?

Once you feel you have enough information, then you can make an appointment on this website for your first session. If you want to just talk about a general issue that’s all you’ll need to do. If you would like regular conversations to go in more depth, the counselor will want to get some background info. She can take down that info over the phone.

What are the main costs?

The cost is only for the time of the appointment. It is $1.00/a minute so 25 minutes is $25.00. But this is such an easy, simple way to get the supportive talk you need. Check it out. Medical therapy runs $150 to $300 an hour.

How can you charge low rates?

I charge low rates because I do not bill the insurance companies. Each insurance company does things differently and they require a lot of paperwork. I therefore have decided not to bill the insurance companies but pass the savings onto my clients.

Do you take insurance?

No, you must pay in advance by PayPal or major credit card.

How long have you been a professional therapist?

Vicki Langemo has been a counselor for 20 years. She did an internship at Bethel College for one year. Vicki worked for 17 years at a large counseling agency called the Lee Carlson Center for Mental Health & Well-being in Minneapolis, MN. and has had her own private practice for 3 years.

What are Ms. Langemo’s credentials?

Vicki Langemo has a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of St. Thomas, MN. She is a licensed professional Counselor in the state of Minnesota. She is a qualified mediator from Hamline University (Mediation Skills training). She is Rule 25 qualified for assessing and responding to clients using alcohol and other addictive drugs. She has taken Marriage/Family and Play Therapy classes from the University of St. Mary’s, Minnesota. She has gone on to specialize in anger management, stress reduction, parenting, healthy relationships, anxiety reduction, and coping skills through 18 years of additional workshops for continuing education.

What is Ms. Langemo’s counseling style?

Over the phone, she only does supportive counseling conversations not medical therapy. Vicki is a cognitive/behavior counselor. This means she helps you become aware of your thought process that directs your decision-making and feelings which contribute to your automatic behavioral habits. Becoming aware of this process empowers you to change them. Vicki will then teach you a variety of skills to help give you the tools to implement healthy change in your life. She is a client-centered therapist. This means she will be positive, supportive, caring, and encouraging. She will work with you to determine your therapy goals. Her counseling style is more like having a conversation with a trusted friend. Vicki tells stories, uses analogies, teaches skills and tries to make the process easy and comfortable for her clients.

Why should I call for counseling now instead of waiting to see if things will get better?

People often put off counseling because they don’t want to spend the time, money or they’re nervous about starting. Most of the time, things don’t get better on their own. This is because we keep doing things basically the same way or try to change but slip back into old behaviors. People may have negative beliefs about counseling but everyone can use a little help now and then. Therefore, it is important not to put it off. Often, problems just keep getting bigger and bigger until the situation is so far out of hand that it is hard to fix.​

What are your hours?

Supportive Talk, a division of Counseling for a Better Life, PLLC is open from 10 AM to 7 PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

What suburbs of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, MN do you normally serve?

Supportive Talk is easily accessible by phone to all the suburbs of the Twin Cities like Blaine, Ham Lake, Anoka, Andover, Bloomington, Minnetonka, Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie, MN. This is also around Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey and Isanti counties.​

 

What are the benefits of private pay?

If you pay for your own counseling, your records are kept totally confidential aside from the legal exceptions to confidentiality. If you use an insurance company, your mental health diagnosis and basic counseling becomes a part of your electronic health records. These records can be read by other health professionals, your insurance company and possibly the Human Resources of your company. A good lawyer or computer hacker can often pull up these records. My counseling records are not recorded into any computer system.

What are the legal limits to confidentiality?

Your records are kept private. By law, there are exceptions to keeping counseling sessions confidential. The main acceptations are, a request (release) by you to send information to a 3rd party, divulging information about abuse of a minor, a mentally incapacitated person or an elderly person, reporting a future threat of serious harm to someone including yourself (suicide plans), a medical emergency or a natural disorder that compromises the security of your records (example: a tornado hitting the building) and an order by a judge.

What are your references?

Connie Bernardy a MN state representative has written me a reference. I also have email references from Jody Helseth, MA, LPCC, RPT, Paul Meunier (Director of the Youth Intervention programs (Director of Services for YIPA), and Mary Elofson (former director of the Lee Carlson Center).

What is the success rate for someone in therapy?

Counseling is a very private manner. Most of my clients have reported feeling better once they complete therapy. In the past, I have had clients report getting custody of their children, staying in their marriage, choosing to get married, feeling more confident in their parenting issues, healing old wounds, and enjoying their life more.

What is the average length of the counseling sessions?

The length of sessions is largely determined by the client and what they wish to accomplish. The average length is 10-18 weeks.

How do you find a Counselor that is right for you?

First, you want to use an experienced Counselor. Second, find out their counseling style and decide if it is a method you would feel comfortable with in the session. Third, make sure your issues are compatible with the expertise and areas of focus of that therapist. Finally, counselors/therapists are people. You need to look for a personality that you are compatible with and find reassuring enough to be able to open up and talk. ​

If after the first few sessions, you have not “clicked” with the therapist, you may want to consider a different person.

I’m scared and nervous, how do I take this first step?

Most people are uncomfortable about the unknown. The hardest part is setting up the first appointment and coming. Ms. Langemo is an experienced Counselor who knows how to put people at ease. She has had many people tell her “This was easy, I feel so much better after talking to someone.” So make your appointment now.

What do I need to do to prepare?

Don’t worry, there is nothing you need to do to prepare. We do almost everything together over the phone. The most important thing you can do is define specifically what issues you want to work on in our sessions. I want you to be satisfied with your Counseling process and the best way to do that is for you to tell me what you need.

Are there other social media sites where I can find Counseling for a Better Life and Vicki Langemo, LPC?

Yes, you can find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Psychology Today and Angie’s List.

What if I have questions that were not answered here?

Don’t worry, Vicki will do her best to answer any questions you still have before you come in. Feel free to ask when you call or email.​


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