There are many kinds of therapy. The type of therapy you will receive will depend on your individual needs and concerns, along with the assessment of your therapist. You may be seen alone, with key family members, or in a group with other people who have similar problems. The type of treatment is based on an agreement between you and your therapist. In working with your therapist, you will have the opportunity to express yourself freely, privately, and without judgment.

Talking about the problems in your life can be uncomfortable. Our professional staff considers it a privilege to collaborate with you, and they will use their professional experience and knowledge to help you help yourself.

The needs of people vary. For some, one or two sessions is adequate; for others, regular sessions over a period of time is needed. This is something you and your therapist will discuss and agree upon.

Contact the main number at First Street Center, 952-442-4437, and explain the type of help you are seeking. We will help you to connect with the right person or service. If you want extra guidance in this decision, you may also ask to be connected to the Clinical Director who can discuss your needs over the phone to better match you to a service or helping professional. It is also a good idea to contact your insurance company for a referral or to be sure the therapist you want to see is covered by your insurance.

If you choose to come to the First Street Center, and you do not have insurance, ask the reception staff about the sliding fee scale. (Note: We offer a sliding fee scale to Carver County residents only, but also offer a reduced fee for other unique circumstances if you are eligible and if your helping professional is in agreement with this option).

Feel free to ask your therapist questions:

• “What is my problem?”
• “Have you treated this before?”
• “What do you recommend?”
• “How long will it take?”
• “What will it cost?”
• “What other treatments could I consider?”

Choose someone you like and with whom you feel comfortable – someone you feel cares, is compassionate and values you as a person. You should feel warmth and respect. If you feel uncomfortable from the first contact, you have several options.

1. Give your relationship with your therapist a little time to develop and grow.
2. You could choose to talk through the discomfort with the therapist and explain what might be causing those feelings. This way you may be able to resolve the problem.
3. You could call our support desk staff and gain help in picking another provider at First Street Center.
4. You may also contact the Clinical Director to express your feelings and attain a better match for you. The Clinical Director may offer an outside referral source if need be. 

Therapy can and does work. Just remember that you need to be an active participant, choose a competent professional who cares and understands, ask questions, and be real and honest.

Psychologists conduct psychotherapy, do psychological testing, and work with individuals, families, and groups. They have specialized training and experience and may be licensed at the master’s or doctoral levels.

Psychiatric Nurses are registered nurses who specialize in mental health and may have advanced academic degrees at the master’s level or above. At First Street Center, our psychiatric nurse prescribes medications for mental health problems.

Social Workers in the Behavioral Health & Housing Department are either case managers in the Adult Mental Health and Community Support Program or Clinical Social Workers (LISCW) working across several services.

Psychotherapists are mental health professionals licensed at the master’s or doctorate levels with at least two years of post-licensure experience. Pyscholtherapists conduct Diagnostic Assessments, individual, group, and family therapy. They all have specialized training and are licensed by a board that covers their discipline.

A psychotherapist may be licensed as a Licensed Psychologist (L.P.), Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (L.I.C.S.W.), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (L.M.F.T.), and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (L.P.C.C.).

Medications can be helpful for many mental health problems. However, for many mental health problems, research has shown that psychotherapy and medications combined is the most beneficial approach.

That’s like having a toothache and not going to the dentist. The results are the same: You continue to hurt, and the problem may get worse.

We can meet with family and friends who are concerned about the welfare of a person who is having mental health problems and assist in strategizing ways to encourage the person to seek treatment. If needed, and under exceptional circumstances, we can suggest legal procedures to help secure the help needed.

You should call the police or sheriff if you believe there is an imminent threat of harm. If it does not seem like an emergency situation or you are not sure, you can call and talk to a member of our staff or a Crisis Team member who will assist you in trying to figure out what to do next. Call the Crisis Line at (952) 442-7601.

Some of our programs do offer services in the community, but this depends on your needs and the service. Our services in the Outpatient Mental Health Clinic (outpatient therapy, medication treatment and psychological testing) are typically provided at First Street Center in Waconia, yet we also offer telehealth sessions through video-conferencing. Our Crisis Team and Adult Mental Health Team meets with individuals in the community as well as other locations.

As a department of Carver County Health and Human Services, Behavioral Health does offer services on a sliding fee scale for Carver County residents. Feel free to discuss this with our receptionist when you call. Also, feel free to discuss financial concerns with your therapist once you are involved with therapy. We infrequently offer a reduced fee for other unique circumstances if you are eligible and if your helping professional is in agreement with this option.

Confidentiality is basic to therapy and our services. The client has the right to control access to information about his/her treatment. Professional association guidelines plus federal (HIPAA) and state laws underscore the importance of confidentiality in therapist/client relationships and govern the release of records. Some insurance companies require certain information from the therapist as a condition for payment.

Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act all client records are classified as private and are subject to restrictions on their use. Others outside the treatment center may not have access to your records without your written permission, except in particular instances including the threat of imminent serious harm to yourself or someone else, by court order, or if there is suspected abuse or neglect of children or vulnerable adults.