Couples seek counseling for a myriad of reasons, ranging from setting a good
foundation with premarital counseling to repairing a relationship in crisis, and anything in between. Choosing a therapist can be a daunting task and more often than not is accomplished by meshing schedules and insurance plans, rather than determining the skill level of the therapist. Bob Fisher with Ozark Psychological & Associates covers all bases.
Bob Fisher, LPC, has completed Level II training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and has been using these methods for over 8 years. Developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, this method of intervention is based on four decades of research. John Gottman is a bestselling author of numerous books, including The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, 10 Lessons to Transform Your Marriage, The Science of Trust & The Man’s Guide to Women.
Gottman Method™ Couples Therapy guides the practitioner in assessing the unique strengths and stressors that impact the bond between two people. By extensively studying the interactions between couples, John Gottman has been able to determine what behaviors are associated with relationships that last and those that end in divorce. From this research the Gottmans have developed a wide range of effective interventions, including:
Bridging the chasm of emotional distance and building a culture of appreciation
De-escalating volatile arguments and gridlocked fights
Eradicating criticism, defensiveness, contempt and stonewalling
Healing from affairs and other breaches of trust
Building shared meaning, values and symbols for long term connection
By utilizing this powerful, scientifically backed approach, hope and healing are offered to couples. Two modalities of Gottman Method™ Couples Therapy are offered:
Couples Counseling
Premarital Counseling
Traditional weekly couples counseling and premarital counseling all begin with an in-depth assessment process that includes several phases:
An initial joint session where the couple has an opportunity to share with the therapist the history of their relationship, highlighting the seminal moments that led to the current state of distress
Confidential online assessment created by the Gottman Institute that identifies the couples strengths and challenges
Individual sessions with each partner, allowing them to share their personal history and perspectives with the therapist
A feedback session in which the therapist shares his observations of their relationship struggles, as well as the development of goals for couples counseling
Once the assessment phase has been completed, the couple dives into the therapeutic process and begins working on the intentions they set out to achieve. If your relationship is in distress, don’t wait to make an appointment. Research has shown that it usually takes six years from the first sign of trouble in a relationship to the commencement of couples therapy. While help is available at any stage of the relationship, it is wise to intervene early.
Insurance often doesn’t covers couples counseling, but you can check with your insurance company to determine your benefits. Payments are collected prior to the session. If you desire extended sessions (sessions lasting more than one hour), insurance generally does not pay for this service.
Insurance:
Dealing with insurance companies can be a daunting task. Listed below are some instructions to help ease the difficulty of that process.
If we accept your insurance plan, please bring your insurance card, or a copy of both the front and back of the card, to your first session. You are responsible for all fees or services not covered or reimbursed by your insurance company, including but not limited to deductibles, co-payments, missed appointments, late cancellations, etc. Please see my informed consent for specifics regarding this issue.
If you are using insurance, please contact your insurance carrier prior to your first appointment. The Customer Service number is generally located on the back of your card. Please obtain the following information:
Number of sessions covered and time frame for coverage
Amount of co-payment
If you have a deductible, find out how much it is and how much has been satisfied to date
Authorization number
If you will be seeking couples or family counseling please ask your insurance provider if you have this benefit.
Important Insurance Tips:
Some insurance companies or employers occasionally contract with mental health carriers that differ from the medical health insurance plan. It is suggested that you always contact your insurance company to verify if your therapist is considered an in-network provider.
If your therapist is not a provider for your insurance company, please check with your insurance carrier to determine if you have out-of-network benefits. Your therapist can provide you with a receipt to submit to your carrier for reimbursement (if that is available with your plan).
You may have Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefits through your employer and this may be unrelated to your managed care insurance plan. Often these benefits are free of charge to the client for a limited number of sessions. Contact your employer to see if your therapist is a provider on your EAP plan.
If you have difficulty getting the above information, feel free to contact my office at (417)882-4485 and we can assist with that process.
