FAQs

I’ve never attended counseling before. What is it like?

Counseling is different for everyone. At Cedar & Lotus, it is important for us to provide you with a space you feel safe and comfortable to process your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Sometimes, counseling can be difficult. It is important to stick with it, even when it is difficult..

How long can I expect to be in counseling?

The length of counseling is different for everyone. Your counselor will discuss with you the frequency of sessions (how often you attend counseling sessions) and collaborate on what sessions may look like over time.

What is the difference between a counselor, a psychologist, and a psychiatrist?

It can be confusing, all the professionals involved in the mental health field. A counselor (also called a therapist) is someone that usually holds a master’s level in their field. This can be someone that practices as a licensed professional counselor (LPC), a marriage and family therapist (LMFT) or a social worker (LCSW). A psychologist is a professional with a doctorate level in psychology (PhD or PsyD). A psychologist is known to provide assessments, psychological evaluations, and counseling services. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor that specializes in their field of psychiatry. These doctors work with patients on medication management. It is rare that they provide any type of counseling to their patients.

I suffer from trauma. Should I be looking for a specific treatment approach?

Healing from traumatic experiences can be frustrating and scary for a person. There are a few treatment approaches out there to help with healing from trauma. At Cedar & Lotus, we utilize a body-based approach for healing from trauma. Traumatic experiences are not just stored in the mind but the body as well. These body-based approaches can be yoga, time in nature, breathing practices, and meditation. You and your counselor will collaborate on what healing practices are best for you. 

What does yoga have to do with counseling?

The founder of Cedar & Lotus, Amber Seater, found the benefits of yoga while working at a residential facility for children. She observed how her clients were not improving with approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy and trauma focused cognitive behavior therapy. She began teaching yoga to the kids in the residential facility and saw how much they improved in their treatment. Trauma is a body-based problem that is difficult to heal with talk therapy.  Amber pursued her education in yoga and pairs it with her treatment approaches in therapy. As a 500-hour registered yoga teacher, she believes that to heal trauma, we must heal the body. 

How can I reach my counselor? 

Your counselor will provide you with their contact information (email and phone number). 

Who do I contact to set up a session?

The first point of contact at Cedar & Lotus is Mike, our office manager. He will gather information on what you are seeking and selecting which counselor will be the best fit. 

Can I do a consultation call with someone before setting up an appointment?

Yes! Consultation calls are a great way to meet your potential therapist and ask questions that you may have. Consultation calls are about 10 minutes and scheduled through Mike, our office manager. 

How do I pay for a session? 

At Cedar & Lotus, we take credit/debit cards, HSA/Flex spending cards, checks and cash. When you are scheduled for your first session, you will receive a credit card authorization form to fill out. That card is stored in our system (safely and securely) and charged after each session. If you need to add a new card, you will let your counselor know and they can add it. 

What happens if I need to cancel last minute? How and who do I notify?

If you need to cancel your session, you will notify your counselor (via email or phone). At Cedar & Lotus, we have a 24-hour cancelation policy. If you cancel under the 24-hour window, you will be charged the full rate. We do understand that emergencies occur and will work with our clients accordingly. 

What are your policies with COVID-19? How are you keeping your clients safe?

As counselors, we take an oath to do no harm. It is important at Cedar & Lotus that we cause no harm to our clients and staff. Currently, we offer telehealth sessions to clients that do not feel comfortable meeting in person at this time. Also, if clients were to test positive for COVID, we offer telehealth sessions so they can continue to receive treatment. Our staff are wearing masks during sessions in person and ask that clients wear masks as well. We understand that protocols can change and continue to be flexible during these uncertain times.