Compassionate Counseling in Pocatello
Our team at Portneuf Valley Family Center (PVFC) Pocatello works hard to meet the mental health needs of our community with counseling and psychotherapy programs. We know that everyone's journey is different, and we'll be with you through every step, offering resources and guidance.
We're proud to serve adults, adolescents, and children alike with outpatient and virtual services. Whether you're searching for individual, family, or couples counseling in Pocatello, we've got you covered.
Counseling and Psychotherapy
Though counseling and psychotherapy are often used as interchangeable terms, they share key similarities and differences.
Both require transparent, safe relationships between clients and therapists. This creates a space where you and your therapist can gain a better understanding of the feelings and behaviors you experience. You can then practice the therapeutic methods they teach you to address issues in your life. During counseling and psychotherapy sessions, your therapist can help you find resolutions, change unhealthy patterns, restore relationships, and develop healthy coping skills.
However, they differ in that counseling is geared toward short-term solutions for current issues, while psychotherapy is focused on long-term solutions for deeper healing.
Counseling
- Leads to short-term solutions for current problems or events.
- Offers guidance for individual situations or behavioral patterns
- Fosters self-awareness and the ability to identify your issues.
- Helps you find solutions for individual problems
- Occurs over a period of weeks or months
Psychotherapy
- Focuses on long-term resolution for a recurring or past problem
- Helps you recognize patterns within yourself
- Explores the big picture to get to the root of issues
- Incorporates a range of therapeutic treatments
- Occurs over a period of years, whether intermittent or consistent
Inpatient, outpatient, inpatient, and telehealth options are available.
Reasons PVFC Counseling in Pocatello Might Be for You
Anyone can benefit from counseling or psychotherapy. Whether you are someone who has been diagnosed with a mental illness, you are experiencing some extra stress in your life, or you just need someone to talk to, you can benefit from therapy.
Here are some of the possible reasons you may benefit from counseling or psychotherapy:
You are someone who has been diagnosed with:
- Anxiety disorder
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Symptoms to Recognize
- Abuse (any form)
- Addiction
- Anxiety
- Behavioral challenges
- Depression
- Discrimination
- Decreased appetite
- Divorce
- Family issues
- Feelings of isolation
- Illness
- Job loss or stress
- Life transitions
- Loss of motivation
- Loss of a loved one
- Neglect
- Phobias
- Relationship challenges
- Self-esteem issues
- Self-harm
- Unexpected mood swings
- Suicidal thoughts
- Stress
- Substance abuse
- Trauma
- Change in behavior
- Change in sleep
- Withdrawing from family and life
If any of these resonated with you, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with a mental health professional to see what treatment options might be beneficial to you.
First Session
Your first session involves assessing your situation, formulating a diagnosis, treatment planning, and making treatment recommendations. It will give you an opportunity to meet with your therapist to make sure it is a good fit for both of you.
Your therapist will ask questions about why you decided to try therapy and what you hope to accomplish. They will also talk about their style.
You will have an opportunity to ask questions. Before you attend this first session, we recommend writing down anything you want to know. Having a list helps ensure you do not forget anything if you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed.
Keep in mind that you do not have to stick with the first therapist you meet. Therapy requires trust on both sides. If you feel uncomfortable at any point, it is okay to try someone else. It is important that you feel comfortable and safe talking with your therapist.
Additional Sessions
As you decide to continue with therapy, you and your therapist will determine the treatment plan together. This will vary for each individual and therapist depending on numerous factors.
Some of the different techniques that your therapist may use include:
- Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
- Adlerian psychotherapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Behavioral therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Motivational interviewing
- Solution-focused therapy
- Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Your therapist may use one or even a combination of these methods during individual sessions with you. They are here to guide you toward healthy emotional, behavioral, mental, and even social changes so that you can experience true growth and live a more peaceful life.
Preparing for Sessions
1. First, determine what your therapy goals are. Ask yourself what your "why" is.
2. Wear comfortable clothes so you feel more at ease.
3. Keep your expectations realistic. Remember that therapy is an ongoing process and not a quick solution.
4. Take time beforehand to prepare for your session. Put away distractions, write down whatever is on your mind, focus on deep breathing, and arrive early.
5. Acknowledge your wins and progress that you make, no matter how small it may feel at the time.
6. Be honest and open so you can benefit from sessions. However, you can take things at your own pace.
7. Ask whatever is on your mind. You can even write questions down ahead of time.
8. After your session, make sure you spend some time reflecting. You can also journal or talk to a loved one.
9. Remember to be the most authentic version of yourself. You don't have to filter yourself for your therapist.
10. If your therapist gives you homework, make sure you prioritize this so you can see progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
We suggest searching locally for a therapist, especially in the case of in-person therapy. You can also ask your loved ones if they know someone if you feel comfortable doing that.
For help with a specific problem, such as anxiety or depression, make sure you look into their specialties. It's best to find someone who can help with your specific situation.
Once you find someone, schedule a visit with them to see how you feel. After your first visit, you'll have more of an idea if they are the right fit.
It is more than okay to try more than one therapist. You'll want someone who makes you feel comfortable and safe to share.
If this is not the case after a session, we suggest looking for a new therapist. It's not necessary to explain yourself, as mental health professionals recognize that they might not click with every client.
Yes, this is a very common feeling for clients who are new to therapy. Thankfully, you can overcome feelings of anxiety throughout the process of working with a therapist.
The length of time is different for everyone. While some people might benefit from a few months, others might require years of sessions. You can collaborate with your therapist on an appropriate plan for treatment.
When you work with your therapist on a treatment plan, you both can determine if you should meet weekly or biweekly. And, as you make progress, the frequency of sessions may decrease as well.
Some clients benefit from short- or long-term medication throughout the healing process.
This is something you can discuss with your therapist and a physician, and they can inform you about your options.
Yes. What you tell your therapists in your sessions is confidential, and your privacy is protected by law.
Psychiatrists and Psychologists share similarities in that they are mental health professionals, but they each go through their own unique training.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who practice psychiatry, which is the process of diagnosing and treating mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. In many cases, medication is a key component of treatment.
Psychologists, on the other hand, have a doctorate degree and specialize in psychology or a related field. They evaluate clients' mental health through therapy or psychological testing. Treatment typically consists of therapy sessions, and they are not able to prescribe medication.
About Our Team
Our staff brings extensive experience to their positions. Each member of the PVFC team holds a master's degree with specialization in therapeutic techniques, and some hold additional certifications for specific areas of treatment. They have experience providing counseling and psychotherapy services, professional evaluations, and strategies for resolution.
Every team member holds one of the following licenses:
- Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
- Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
- Licensed Physician (MD or DO)
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- Licensed Psychologist (Ph.D. or PsyD)
According to the Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses, certain levels of licensure may need supervision from an independently licensed clinician as necessary.
Learn More About Our Pocatello Counseling Services
For questions about our services or to schedule a therapeutic session, contact our team today.