What is Pfeiffer Institute Reach?
Pfeiffer Institute Reach is a non-profit 501(c)(3) therapy clinic. It was established to provide training opportunities for master's level graduate students in the Marriage and Family (MFT) Program at Pfeiffer University at the Raleigh-Durham Campus. The therapist interns provide direct services for individuals, couples, families, and groups. Our therapist interns also uphold the Pfeiffer University philosophy, providing servant leadership in the community for other agencies in Raleigh-Durham and the surrounding areas. The overall goal of our treatment services is to improve the health of individuals, couples, families, and our community. Pfeiffer Institute Reach adheres to the rules and regulations of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Codes of Ethical Principles for Marriage and Family Therapists in the provision of direct and indirect services.Is therapy right for me?
Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one's life such as a divorce or work transition. Many seek support as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.
Who will I be meeting with?
Therapist Interns at Pfeiffer Institute Reach are advanced graduate students in the Pfeiffer University (Raleigh-Durham) Marriage and Family Therapy Program. They are closely supervised by licensed faculty, so all therapy sessions are recorded and sometimes observed. This is to make sure that your Therapist Intern does the best possible work with you; your information is held confidential within the limits of the law. You will have the same Therapist Intern for each session. When Therapist Interns get close to graduating, they talk with their clients about whether the clients are ready to wrap up therapy or prefer to transfer to another Therapist Intern and develop a plan with each client that meets the clients' needs.
Will I get quality therapy from a Therapist Intern?
Good question! When friends and family ask about finding a "good" therapist, we always tell them to find someone who is a good fit. That matters regardless of the experience level of the therapist. When you meet with a Therapist Intern, you are getting therapy from someone who has the most recent information in the field, is focused on doing excellent work, and is consulting regularly with an experienced supervisor about cases. Therapist Interns are monitoring their clients' progress and the methods they are using more than most licensed practitioners. This means they notice when clients are not progressing and quickly seek supervision to adjust therapy. All this results in an intense behind-the-scenes focus on clients getting what they need out of therapy--much more than what the typical, licensed professional is able to provide.What is Marriage and Family Therapy?
Marriage and Family Therapy is a recognized field in psychotherapy. It was developed more than 50 years ago by psychologists and psychiatrists working with individuals with mental illness and their families. It is a holistic approach to therapy that looks at the context of a person's life and relationships, as well as what current issues the person may be dealing with. This is called a "systems" approach. Marriage and Family Therapy is not just for couples and families with children; individuals can benefit from this perspective as well.
Why use a Marriage and Family Therapist?
Marriage and Family Therapists help people respond to life's changes by helping them explore their current circumstances and work with them to reach their goals. Using the systems approach, MFTs assist clients in identifying what is happening internally and how that is playing out in their relationships. Individuals, couples, and families often seek help for behavioral problems, mental and emotional disorders, and relational problems from MFTs.
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long- lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
How can therapy help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues, and creative blocks. May people also find that therapists can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
- attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
- developing skills for improving your relationships
- finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
- learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- managing anger, grief, depression, or other emotional pressures
- improving communication and listening skills
- changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
- discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
- improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
What is therapy like?
Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. It is standard for therapists to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around fifty minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. there may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change, and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect out of therapy at Pfeiffer Institute Reach:
- compassion, respect, and understanding
- perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
- real strategies for enacting positive change
- effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance
Is medication a substitute for therapy?
In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you. It is well-established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.
Do you accept insurance?
Pfeiffer Institute Reach does not accept third-party payment from insurance companies for any services rendered in the clinic. Our fee is $30 for a 50-minute session. Pfeiffer Institute Reach provides a sliding fee scale for clients who are unable to pay the full $30 session fee. The adjusted fee for services is based on the current Reach Fee Schedule, and will be determined between the Therapist Intern and the client during the initial session. We accept cash or check only.
Is therapy confidential?
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.
However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:
- suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
- If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police and the victim.
- If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.
Where did the name Pfeiffer Institute Reach come from?
First, it will be helpful to have some background information. The Clinic Director moved to North Carolina from San Antonio, Texas. One of her favorite places in San Antonio was the Riverwalk, a network of sidewalks and bridges along the banks of the San Antonio River, one story beneath downtown San Antonio, lined with shops, hotels, and restaurants. When city leaders wanted to extend the Riverwalk, they chose to use the concept of "reach" to describe the added sections. Hence, the extension providing access to the San Antonio Museum of Art was labeled "Museum Reach" and the portion leading to the Spanish missions was called "Mission Reach."
When it was time to name the MFT clinic at the Raleigh-Durham campus, many options were debated. The clinic associated with the MFT program in Charlotte is the Pfeiffer Institute for Marriage and Family Therapy (PIMFT). The new clinic needed to be associated with that established clinic, yet have its own identity. The Raleigh-Durham clinic could be described as an extension or a satellite, but those choices sounded too institutional and cold. The Clinic Director remembered what the San Antonio city leaders had used for the Riverwalk. Reach - a word that not only described the new clinic as an extension of the original, but also described a philosophy of servant leadership, a willingness to extend a helping hand. And so, Pfeiffer Institute Reach was born.
Do you have more questions?
Give us a call: 919-941-2900. Or email us at pfeiffer.reach@pfeiffer.edu We're here to help.
