Frequently Asked Questions


  • Nondirective play therapy is based on the principle that children can resolve their own issues given the right conditions and the freedom to play with limited instruction and supervision.
  • Directive play therapy uses more input from the therapist to help speed up results. Play therapists use both approaches, depending on the circumstances.

Therapy that involves both the couple and their children is a different process called family therapy.

During the course of this therapy, however, the focus may shift to the parental couple for a period of time. If this occurs, children would no longer be involved in treatment.

If parents are wondering whether their children should be involved in the sessions, they should discuss this with the therapist.

We offer medication management but we try to keep an open discussion between the client, therapist, and psychiatrist as to the needs of the client.

Research has shown the individuals whose families are involved in treatment have a much better prognosis and a higher success rate. Exult Healthcare will make a concerted effort to include family members in treatment whenever possible. The goal of the family education program is to provide family members with information and support that will assist our clients in their recovery.

We do take multiple insurances such as United, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and Medicare but we suggest you discuss any major medical decisions with your insurance provider.

Vitamin B12 helps your body use fat and carbohydrates for energy and make new protein. It is also important for normal blood, cells, and nerves.

Most people get enough vitamin B12 in their diet, but a deficiency may occur in certain health conditions (e.g., poor nutrition, stomach/intestinal problems, infection, cancer). Serious vitamin B12 deficiency may result in anemia, stomach problems, and nerve damage.

Animal-assisted psychotherapy can provide numerous psychological and physiological benefits. People who interact with animals for the purpose of therapy may experience improvements in health, including:

  • Decreased stress levels
  • Reduced anger and aggression
  • Decreased hostility toward the self and others
  • Improved social interactions
  • Decreased heart rate and blood pressure
  • Rise in release of beta-endorphins
  • Improvement in self-esteem, patience, and trust
  • Sense of empowerment

Anger Management therapy helps with but not limited to:

  • Communicating needs
  • Maintaining better health
  • Preventing psychological and social problems linked to anger
  • Using frustration to get things done
  • Help avoiding addictive escapes

Art therapy helps with but not limited to:

  • Provides a safe confidential space where clients can express themselves.
  • Art is an excellent outlet for emotions and a great way to release energy.
  • Through the art process clients can practice change in small ways, showing themselves that they have the strengths and skills to make bigger changes beyond the sessions as well.
  • When clients are making something they are present in the here and now. Art therapy can be an excellent way to practice mindfulness.

CBT treatment usually involves efforts to change patterns. These strategies might include:

  • Facing one’s fears instead of avoiding them.
  • Using role playing to prepare for potentially problematic interactions with others.
  • Learning to calm one’s mind and relax one’s body.
  • Learning to recognize one’s distortions in thinking that are creating problems, and then to reevaluate them in light of reality.
  • Gaining a better understanding of the behavior and motivation of others.
  • Using problem-solving skills to cope with difficult situations.
  • Learning to develop a greater sense of confidence is one’s own abilities

Studies have indicated that equine therapy has been successful in helping patients show marked improvements in the following areas:

  • Assertiveness
  • Emotional awareness
  • Empathy
  • Stress tolerance
  • Flexibility
  • Impulse control
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Self-actualization
  • Independence
  • Self-regard
  • Social responsibility
  • Interpersonal relationships

Group can help treat mental, emotional, physical, and behavioral issues. Concerns that may be discussed include, but are not limited to:

  • A safe, supportive setting to discuss difficult emotions and experiences
  • Less isolation and loneliness when surrounded by others with similar struggles
  • Interactions with others quickly brings issues to the surface, allowing them to be resolved under the guidance of a therapist
  • Improves self-awareness and motivation to change
  • Feedback from peers can be highly influential
  • Improves interpersonal and communication skills
  • Builds trust and self-esteem
  • Ideal setting to practice new skills and behaviors

Therapy can help treat mental, emotional, physical, and behavioral issues. Concerns that may be discussed in therapy include, but are not limited to:

  • Anxiety
  • Stress
  • Food and eating issues
  • Anger
  • Relationship or marriage challenges
  • Addiction
  • Abuse
  • Family issues
  • Insomnia
  • Sexuality

Play therapy helps children:

  • Become more responsible for behaviors and develop more successful strategies.
  • Develop new and creative solutions to problems.
  • Develop respect and acceptance of self and others.
  • Learn to experience and express emotion.
  • Cultivate empathy and respect for thoughts and feelings of others.
  • Learn new social skills and relational skills with family.
  • Develop self-efficacy and thus a better assuredness about their abilities.

Depending on your condition and its severity, an assessment will be made by staff(psychiatrist/nurse practitioner) for the need of medications and prescriptions for the same will be given to you.

You and your therapist can decide if family members need to be involved or if family therapy is an option.

Click here to learn more about Family Therapy.

The play therapist will make some decisions about how and when to involve some or all members of the family in the play therapy.

No, but we can send you to a psychiatrist who can prescribe you medicine.

*Dr. Bhargava, our medical director and psychiatrist, practices in the same building and you can meet with us then go see her!

Yes, as young as 4 and we offer services for a mature client.

Much more than simply spending time with an animal, animal-assisted therapy involves specific therapeutic goals, strategies and outcomes measures.

Therapeutic experiences can include walking, brushing, petting and caring for an animal, as well as processing the experience of trying to achieve a given task.

Anger management therapy provides a clear and distinct set of guidelines for recovery...

People in therapy are encouraged to examine the circumstances that trigger their anger.

Art therapy is founded on the belief that self-expression through artistic creation has therapeutic value for those who are healing or seeking deeper understanding of themselves and their personalities.

According to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapists are trained to understand the roles that color, texture, and various art media can play in the therapeutic process and how these tools can help reveal one’s thoughts, feelings, and psychological disposition.

The licensed professionals understand methods to stabilize and diagnose your situation.

The purpose of cognitive behavioral therapy is to change thinking and behaviors that prevent positive outcomes.

CBT can help people solve various medical, social, work, and emotional problems. While other forms of psychotherapy involve delving into the past to provide insight into feelings, CBT focuses on “the here and now” thoughts and beliefs.

Specific skills that involve recognizing distorted thinking, modifying beliefs, relating to others in different ways are practiced, and eventually the individual can learn to behave in the desired way.

The good news is that couples counseling as it is currently practiced using Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) is now roughly 75 percent effective. This is true according to the American Psychological Association and is based on over 25 years of research.

Family therapy can be helpful on many levels. A good course of family therapy helps:

  • Develops and maintains healthy boundaries
  • Fosters cohesion and communication among family members
  • Promotes problem solving through understanding of family patterns and dynamics
  • Builds empathy and understanding
  • Reduces family conflict

Group therapy helps individuals develop communication skills and socialization skills, and allows clients to learn how to express their issues and accept criticism from others.

Group therapy allows individuals to develop self-awareness by listening to others with similar issues.

Even if therapy cannot cure a condition, it can help people develop healthy coping skills. Determination to be active in therapy and heal is essential for meeting therapeutic goals and fostering a positive therapeutic relationship.

Finding the right therapist is also crucial to the treatment process.

LGBTQ+ therapy can be helpful on many levels. A good LGBTQ+ therapy program helps:

  • Obtain support for sexual identity, gender dysphoria, and mental health issues
  • Receive affirmative therapy, counseling, support, and empowerment
  • Develop life-long emotional coping skills
  • Improve how you interact with non-affirming family members and others in your life
  • Feel happier, less stressed, and more productive

In premarital counseling sessions, couples have the chance to explore topics like finances, children, and intimacy—three areas where many couples experience challenges.

Partners can also develop communication and conflict resolution skills and address any fears they might have about marriage, whether these concerns result from one’s personal relationship history, family background, or otherwise.

The movement of the horse as a person is riding at a simple walk gives them balance, coordination and self-confidence. The movement and unique walking gait of a horse or pony most closely resembles that of a human.

Therefore, when a person is riding a horse, the rhythm and motion is therapeutic; the body gains strength through its adjustment to the horse’s gait. A new study conducted in Texas supports the positive outcomes of equine therapy.

Problems in your family can affect all areas of family members’ lives. You and your loved ones might notice trouble cropping up at work, at school, or in everyday interactions with other people.

When it feels like the issues in your family are too big for you to handle — and aren’t getting better — it may be time to see a family therapist.

Fertility challenges can lead to emotional trauma and put strain on a partnership.

While fertility treatments in the medical field may be able to help improve the likelihood of conception, entering therapy while undergoing these treatments can be a helpful way to work through grief, anxiety, worry, and other emotions that may be experienced as a result of fertility issues, especially in the event that treatments fail.

Because we are a mental health facility we take that into account during our yoga classes. Our yoga teacher, Ana, has devised classes that stray away from trauma.

Such as having knees closed positions and a no-touching policy.

There is no particular length of therapy.

Sessions are usually around 50 minutes.

Sessions typically take about 50 minutes to an hour.

Family therapy is often short term — generally about 12 sessions. However, how often you meet and the number of sessions you’ll need will depend on your family’s particular situation and the therapist’s recommendation.

LGBTQ+ therapy sessions typically take about 50 minutes to an hour.

Ultimately, the length of your LGBTQ+ therapy regiment depends on your recovery goals and mental health needs. Also, how often you meet and the number of sessions you’ll need will depend on your particular situation and the therapist’s recommendation.

Each play therapy session varies in length but usually lasts about 30 to 50 minutes. Sessions are usually held weekly. Research suggests that it takes an average of 20 play therapy sessions to resolve the problems of the typical child referred for treatment. Some children may improve much faster, while more serious or ongoing problems may take longer to resolve.

There is no particular length of therapy.

Sessions are usually around 50 minutes.

CBT is generally considered short-term therapy — about 10 to 20 sessions. You and your therapist can discuss how many sessions may be right for you. Factors to consider include:

  • Type of disorder or situation
  • Severity of your symptoms
  • How long you’ve had your symptoms or have been dealing with your situation
  • How quickly you make progress
  • How much stress you’re experiencing
  • How much support you receive from family members and other people

The typical treatment course consists of at least 5 treatments per week over a 4-6 week period for 20-30 treatments.

Each depression treatment session lasts approximately 19-37 minutes, depending on what the doctor determines is the correct protocol.

Each OCD treatment session lasts approximately 20-30 minutes, depending on what the doctor determines is the correct protocol.

Play therapy responds to the unique developmental needs of young children, who often express themselves better through play activities than through verbal communication. The therapist uses play and other creative activities to communicate with the child and observe how the child uses these activities to express thoughts and feelings that are not expressed in words.

Premarital counseling helps partners improve their ability to communicate, set realistic expectations for marriage and develop conflict-resolution skills.

In addition, premarital counseling can help couples establish a positive attitude about seeking help down the road.

Yes, an assessment is required for admission to the Intensive Outpatient Program. An IOP treatment is tailored to the individual by a Master’s level professional clinician who uses information gained in the introductory interview and assessment.

TMS received clearance to treat depression from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2008. It gained FDA approval to treat OCD in August 2018. This novel treatment option is a safe and effective, acute antidepressant therapy.

Medical weight loss is not surgery. It is weight management based on medical scientific evidence that targets the root causes of obesity and weight gain. Trained doctors or medical providers provide the treatment and guidance necessary to help you achieve weight loss and maintain it for life.

Mental health disorders that may improve with CBT include:

  • Sleep disorders
  • Sexual disorders
  • Depression
  • Bipolar disorders
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Phobias
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Eating disorders
  • Substance use disorders
  • Schizophrenia
  • PTSD

Some techniques but not limited to:

  • Impulse Control
  • Self-Awareness
  • Meditation
  • Frustration Management
  • Breathing Techniques
  • Relaxation strategies

  • Improve patient survival
  • Increase retention in treatment
  • Decrease illicit opiate use and other criminal activity among people with substance use disorders
  • Increase patients’ ability to gain and maintain employment
  • Improve birth outcomes among women who have substance use disorders and are pregnant

Psychiatrists are not only trained to diagnose and manage mental illness, but are also adept at providing psychotherapy.  Certain specializations within psychiatry require additional years of training and qualification.

Psychiatrists can also prescribe medications to help manage your illness.

Equine Therapy involves activities that are supervised by a mental health professional, often with the support of a horse professional such as but not limited to:

  • Grooming
  • Feeding
  • Haltering
  • Leading

Call us today for a consultation and more information.

Group therapy is used to treat a wide range of disorders, including but not limited to:

  • Relationship problems
  • Communication and social skill deficits
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Grief/loss
  • Emotional trauma
  • Low self-esteem

There will be up to 12 people in each group lead by a therapist.

Once a week, anyone in IOP sees a therapist for one-on-one counseling. It also gives the patient a more intimate setting, if needed.

Medicated-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of FDA-approved medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders.

You will learn about both the 12 Step approach and SMART Recovery in our IOP sessions. With the help of your clinical team, you will be able to chose which support system is the best fit for your personal recovery. In fact, many participants find that both SMART and 12 Step can be used to support their recovery efforts.

Psychiatrists are medically trained to treat mental health. Sometimes physical illness or biological imbalances can trigger mental illness and their medical background allows them to take blood, order certain tests and prescribe medications.Psychologists tend to focus on the psychological mechanisms of behavior and generally can not prescribe medications.

The ultimate goal of MAT is full recovery, including the ability to live a self-directed life.

Psychiatrists treat individuals in distress because of various difficulties, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychosis, personality disorders, stress disorders, and some types of behavioral problems, such as those involving self-destructive or violent impulses. Anyone seriously thinking of suicide can be helped. A number of emotional and mental difficulties are influenced by physical conditions; as a physician, a psychiatrist is in a position to take account of such conditions and coordinate overall care.

Disorders include but are not limited to: Depression, ADHD, PTSD, trauma, Bipolar Disorder, self-harm, OCD, anxiety, Schizophrenia, and other mood disorders.

Come in for a screening to determine if this is the right route for you.

Our physicians have taken the proper training and are approved to safely administer Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) to treat opiate addiction. We have trained counselors and therapists to offer behavioral therapies.

Animal-assisted therapy takes place in a variety of settings, including prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, therapeutic boarding schools for teens and mental health facilities. This form of treatment can take place individually or in groups, and is led by a qualified therapist or professional with specialized expertise.

Anger management therapy may be delivered in individual or group settings...

Most anger management therapies include homework assignments and exercises that strengthen techniques learned.

Once you begin creating, the therapist may, at times, simply observe your process as you work, without interference or judgment. When you have finished a piece of artwork—and sometimes while you are still working on it—the therapist will ask you questions along the lines of how you feel about the artistic process, what was easy or difficult about creating your artwork, and what thoughts or memories you may have had while you were working.

Generally, the therapist will ask about your experience and feelings before providing any observations.

Cognitive behavioral therapy may be done one-on-one, or in groups with family members or with people who have similar issues. It often includes:

  • Learning about your mental health condition
  • Learning and practicing techniques such as relaxation, coping, resilience, stress management and assertiveness

The goal of equine therapy is to help the patient develop needed skills and attributes, such as accountability, responsibility, self-confidence, problem-solving skills, and self-control.

Equine therapy also provides an innovative milieu in which the therapist and the patient can identify and address a range of emotional and behavioral challenges.

During family therapy, you can:

  • Examine your family’s ability to solve problems and express thoughts and emotions in a productive manner
  • Explore family roles, rules and behavior patterns to identify issues that contribute to conflict — and ways to work through these issues
  • Identify your family’s strengths, such as caring for one another, and weaknesses, such as difficulty confiding in one another

Group therapy involves one or more psychologists who lead a group of roughly five to 15 patients.

Typically, groups meet for an hour or two each week. Some people attend individual therapy in addition to groups, while others participate in groups only.

The first session of therapy often focuses on gathering information. A therapist speaks with the person in treatment about their past physical, mental, and emotional health.

They also discuss the concerns bringing the person to therapy. It can take a few sessions for a therapist to have a good understanding of the situation. Only then can they address concerns and determine the best course of action.

During family therapy, you can:

  • Receive supportive Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning therapy
  • Obtain unbiased LGBTQ+ Couples Counseling
  • Discuss cultural rejection, harm from religion, and family relationships

The parent or caregiver plays an important role in play therapy for children. After conducting an initial intake interview with the parent, and often a separate interview with the child, the therapist can make an assessment prior to beginning treatment. In the playroom, the child is encouraged to play with very specific types of toys that encourage self-expression and facilitate the learning of positive behaviors.

Usually, each of you will be asked to separately answer a written questionnaire to determine how you feel about each another and the relationship. Together, you and your counselor will interpret your results and discuss areas of common unhappiness or disagreement.

In addition, your counselor might ask you and your partner questions to find out your unique visions for your marriage and clarify your expectations and desires for your marriage.

Equine therapy has been successfully integrated into treatment programs for adults and teens who are being treated for but not limited to:

  • Substance abuse
  • Addiction
  • Behavior disorders
  • Mood disorders
  • Eating disorders
  • Learning differences (ADD/ADHD included)
  • Autism, Asperger’s
  • Grief/loss
  • Trauma

People with a variety of conditions can benefit from animal-assisted therapy, including:

  • Autism spectrum disorders
  • Addiction
  • Cancer
  • Heart disease
  • Dementia
  • Developmental disorders
  • Psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia
  • Emotional and behavioral disorders
  • Chronic pain

Some signs that you need help controlling your anger include but not limited to:

  • Regularly feeling that you have to hold in your anger
  • Persistent negative thinking and focusing on negative experiences
  • Constant feelings of irritation, impatience and hostility
  • Frequent arguments with others that escalate frustrations
  • Physical violence, such as hitting your partner or children or starting fights
  • Out-of-control or frightening behavior, such as breaking things or driving recklessly
  • Avoiding situations because of anxiety or depression about anger outbursts

Some issues but not limited to:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Substance dependency
  • Stress
  • Posttraumatic stress
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity
  • Aging and geriatric issues
  • Cancer
  • Heart disease
  • Anorexia
  • Bulimia
  • Cognitive impairments
  • Family or relationship issues

CBT is a useful tool to address emotional challenges. For example, it may help you:

  • Manage symptoms of mental illness
  • Prevent a relapse of mental illness symptoms
  • Treat a mental illness when medications aren’t a good option
  • Learn techniques for coping with stressful life situations
  • Identify ways to manage emotions
  • Resolve relationship conflicts and learn better ways to communicate
  • Cope with grief or loss
  • Overcome emotional trauma related to abuse or violence
  • Cope with a medical illness
  • Manage chronic physical symptoms

Therapeutic play helps children with social or emotional deficits learn to communicate better, change their behavior, develop problem-solving skills, and relate to others in positive ways. It is appropriate for children undergoing or witnessing stressful events in their lives. Play therapy can help children with academic and social problems, learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, anxiety, depression, grief, or anger, as well as those with attention deficit disorders or who are on the autism spectrum.

People seek therapy for a range of problems and every couple is different but here are some common issues:

  • Lack of communication
  • Frequent or constant arguments
  • Unfulfilled emotional needs
  • Financial concerns
  • Conflicts about children
  • Affair or apparent loss of affection and caring
  • Traumatic event, such as an illness or loss in the family.

Some key issues but not limited to:

  • When a child is having a problem such as with school, substance abuse, or disordered eating
  • A major trauma or change that impacts the entire family (i.e. relocation to a new house, natural disaster, incarceration of a family member)
  • Unexpected or traumatic loss of a family member
  • Adjustment to a new family member in the home (i.e. birth of a sibling, adoption, foster children, a grandparent entering the home)
  • Domestic violence
  • Divorce
  • Parent Conflict

It could be time to seek therapy if an issue causes distress or interferes with daily life. It is important not to wait until symptoms become severe before going to therapy.

It may be best to seek therapy if you are often unhappy or feel overwhelmed and hopeless about issues in your life. Therapy can also help if you cannot focus on work or school, experience addiction, or feel like hurting yourself or someone else.

It could be time to seek therapy if an issue causes distress or interferes with daily life. It is important not to wait until symptoms become severe before going to therapy.

It may be best to seek therapy if you are often unhappy or feel overwhelmed and hopeless about issues in your life. Therapy can also help if you cannot focus on work or school, experience addiction, or feel like hurting yourself or someone else.

Therapy can be most beneficial when but not limited to:

  • Starting a new treatment or after a failed treatment
  • Having to make difficult treatment decisions
  • Needing extended family support and assistance
  • Considering third party assistance (surrogacy, egg or sperm donation)
  • Investigating other options for family building

There are several key instances may require you to seek supportive LGBTQIA+ Therapy. Some key issues but not limited to:

  • Struggling to come out to yourself, family, friends, or workplace colleagues
  • Discovering your gender identity, sexual orientation, or romantic preferences
  • Navigating the obstacles and emotional challenges of dating
  • Dealing With Non-Affirming family members, friends, and others

Premarital counseling can help couples improve their relationships before marriage. You’ll be encouraged to discuss topics related to marriage, such as:

  • Finances
  • Communication
  • Beliefs and values
  • Roles in marriage
  • Affection and sex
  • Desire to have children
  • Family relationships
  • Decision-making
  • Dealing with anger
  • Time spent together

We do take multiple insurances such as United, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and Medicare but we suggest you discuss any major medical decisions with your insurance provider.

We will not reveal any information regarding what happens within the work that we do together unless you have signed the Authorization to Disclose Information form.  In the instance that you are in danger of harming yourself or another, then we are obligated by law to notify the authorities of this.