Frequently Asked Questions

Barbara Boutsikaris, MS LCMHC offers a individual therapy and couples therapy for adults using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Systems and Relational Life Therapy.

During your first session with Barbara Boutsikaris, MS LCMHC, Barbara will ask you questions to get to know you better and understand what brings you to counseling. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the counseling process.  

Most people are anxious about entering therapy for the first time and often don't know what to expect.  It is normal to feel uncomfortable or nervous about talking with someone new, a stranger, someone you don't know.  It is Barbara's job is to do her best to help you to feel comfortable, to explain how therapy works, and to invite you to tell her, in confidence, what has brought you to therapy now. Barbara will ask many questions at first, to make sure that she is qualified to help, to understand the context of the problem(s), and to give you a chance to see what it is like to sit with her.  After the first session you will most likely know if it feels like a good fit for you.  If this is the first time you've ever been in therapy, Barbara may encourage you to meet with several different therapists -- to "shop" for a therapist -- before you make a decision.  

It is important that you find the best match for you; no one else can know what is best for you. You are the customer -- you get to choose the best situation for yourself.

A counseling session with Barbara Boutsikaris, MS LCMHC typically lasts for 45-60 minutes.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is based on the idea that our thoughts cause our feelings and behaviors, not external things, like people, situations, and events.  The benefit of this fact is that we can change the way we think to feel/act better even if the situation does not change.

Family Systems Therapy is a method of psychotherapy based on the Murray Bowen Theory of Natural Systems. It has applicability in a wide range of problems. Any family member who seeks help will aid the entire family.

The aim of Family Systems Therapy is for family members to understand and accept their individual responsibility in the emotional functioning of the family unit. By learning to recognize the emotional relationship patterns and how anxiety is handled in the family, individual family members can manage themselves in more functional ways. Relationships change and symptoms decrease as family members improve their emotional functioning.

Relational Life Therapy was invented by Terrence Real (Author of US: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship) as a couples therapy model. Using a range of powerful diagnostic and transformative tools, RLT helps people to first reconnect to themselves—their feelings, needs, and desires—to build a stronger, more intimate connection with their partner. 

RLT therapists use loving confrontation to wake clients up to their negative behaviors in a direct but compassionate way. We show clients the difficult truths about how they are harming their relationships in a way that builds trust rather than resistance.

Swiftly get to the root of negative behaviors, understand them, and overcome them. Unique to RLT, deep trauma and inner child work is done in the presence of the partner. This allows individuals to go deeper and couples to grow closer.

RLT equips people with the powerful tools they need to continue building authentic, healthy relationships long after their time in therapy is over—the key to creating change that lasts.

Barbara usually sees client weekly (once a week) to start for an average of 6-12 sessions. Then every two weeks to once a month. And then only as needed. She believes in getting people out of therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered among the most rapid in terms of results obtained. The average number of sessions clients receive is about 6-16. What enables CBT to be briefer is its highly instructive nature. Sometimes clients request to be seen more than once a week during a difficult time. As clients are getting closer to reaching their goals, sessions may be less frequent, from every other week to once a month, just to maintain the progress they have made. 

Barbara usually sees client weekly (once a week) to start for an average of 6-12 sessions. Then every two weeks to once a month. And then only as needed. She believes in getting people out of therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered among the most rapid in terms of results obtained. The average number of sessions clients receive is about 6-16. What enables CBT to be briefer is its highly instructive nature. Sometimes clients request to be seen more than once a week during a difficult time. As clients are getting closer to reaching their goals, sessions may be less frequent, from every other week to once a month, just to maintain the progress they have made. 

At the beginning of therapy, you will define your goal(s) for therapy and together we will figure out how you will know when you have met your goal(s). The ending of therapy is a decision made collaboratively between the therapist and client. Although endings are sometimes difficult and often avoided, Barbara will encourage you to complete the therapeutic process and to celebrate your success. Therefore, it is not an open-ended, never-ending process.

No one can force you to come to counseling.  If something happens in therapy that makes you uncomfortable, it is beneficial to discuss these concerns with your therapist, if you can.  Discomfort in therapy often mimics the discomfort you may experience in life.  If you can work through this discomfort, in a safe environment, you can often resolve the discomfort in your life.  However, it is also important to remember that you are in charge of your own experience and if the situation can not be resolved, you have the right to leave therapy at any time.

Confidentiality is of the utmost importance in counseling.  That means Barbara will not reveal anything you tell her to anyone else without your permission. The one exception is if there is a risk of immediate harm. Barbara is a mandated reported and therefore must do her best to protect you (or someone else) if she has any indication that you are planning to either harm yourself or someone else, or you have sexually violated a minor. 

Barbara has regular supervision with other licensed clinical professionals every week to make sure that she is providing her best work. She may choose to discuss your case, but, in doing so, she will not reveal any identifying information about you, such as your name, place of employment, etc.