Malia Scott, LPC, CSCT
FAQs
I/We have tried multiple therapists. How do I know this will work?
No therapy is guaranteed to change or fix. It's important to ask questions, consult and find the best fit for therapy
For individuals, there are so many various therapy models and techniques. It’s encouraged to ask questions. If you have been in individual therapy for sometime and there is no movement, it might be time to work with another therapist that has a different approach or works with different modalities that you have not learned or applied before.
For couples, the average # of couples see 3-4 therapists before they find one they feel comfortable talking about sex/relationships. Effective couples work requires willingness, self-awareness, accountability, responsibility and effort.
I offer a free 15-min consult for this reason. To give you time to bring your questions and goals for therapy. I encourage you to interview therapists and get specific with what you are looking for.
Do you take insurance?
NO, for several reasons.
It helps us retain the autonomy we need to provide you with an excellent experience & the best confidentiality
Insurance companies place limitations on therapists about the length of sessions, covered diagnoses, and covered treatments. I work to get to the root of your issues vs. diagnosing you.
Insurance companies also require therapists to spend valuable time providing documentation to justify their therapy, including information about your diagnosis, treatment goals, and progress.
I would rather provide a more confidential process and use that valuable time to make sure we are giving you the attention and excellent service you deserve.
In addition, insurance reimburses LESS for couples and family therapy, than it does for individual therapy.
It's twice the work, more complex and requires expensive, advanced training.
While using insurance can significantly reduce the cost of therapy, there are several reasons why some therapists might caution clients about using their insurance for mental health services:
Confidentiality Concerns
- When you use insurance for therapy, your treatment information becomes part of your medical record.
Insurance companies require detailed information about your diagnosis, treatment plan, and progress, which can compromise your privacy. Some clients prefer to keep their mental health treatment entirely confidential.
Diagnostic Requirements
- Insurance companies often require a formal mental health diagnosis for coverage. This can be limiting for clients who seek therapy for personal growth, stress management, or relationship issues that do not necessarily fit into a specific diagnostic category. Additionally, having a mental health diagnosis on your medical record can potentially affect future insurance coverage or employment opportunities.
Session Limits
- Insurance plans may limit the number of therapy sessions they cover annually. This can be restrictive for clients who need ongoing support beyond the allotted sessions. Therapists may caution clients that they might need to pay out-of-pocket for additional sessions once the insurance limit is reached.
Treatment Restrictions
Insurance companies sometimes dictate the types of therapy they will cover, which can limit your options. They may only cover certain evidence-based therapies and exclude others, even if another approach might be more beneficial for your specific needs.
Billing and Reimbursement Issues
Dealing with insurance companies can involve a lot of paperwork, delays, and denied claims. This administrative burden can take time away from your therapy sessions and create additional stress.
What are the Pros/Cons of Online Therapy/Tele-therapy?
PROS for Online Therapy
For both individuals and couples…
- You have the option to be in the comfort of your own home/environment
- No traffic, no commute, no parking issues
- Your animals can join & support with emotional regulation
CONS for Online Therapy
- You need a computer and secure wifi/internet
- You need a private space
- You might prefer in-person and going into an office
What is a Sex Therapist?
“Sex Therapists are licensed mental health professionals, trained to provide in-depth psychotherapy, who have specialized in treating clients with sexual issues and concerns. In the absence of available licensure, they are certified, registered, or clinical members of a national psychotherapy organization. Sex therapists work with simple sexual concerns also, but in addition, where appropriate, are prepared to provide comprehensive and intensive psychotherapy over an extended period of time in more complex cases."
- AAESECT definition
What are the training/certification requirements for a Sex Therapist?
“AASECT uses Core Knowledge Areas (CKAs) and for ISTI we use three main categories of knowledge to insure that your coursework provides the best education available. At ISTI coursework includes Sexual Therapy, Couples Counseling and Integrative Therapy.
An Integrated Sex Therapy Institute Certified Sex and Couples Therapist (CSCT) is a licensed clinical mental health provider with a proficient level of expertise in both sexuality and relationship therapy as well as contemporary integrative alternative treatment interventions.
A CSCT is trained to assess, diagnose, and provide in-depth relational and individual psychotherapy, as well as group and family therapy and has specialized in treating clients with sexual issues including, but not limited to: sexual function and dysfunctionsexual pleasure; sexual variation; sexuality and disability; sexuality and chronic illness; sexual development across the lifespan; sexual abuse, assault, and coercion; sexual orientation; gender identity, infidelity, trauma, open relationships and polyamory, virtual reality and online treatment, alternative forms of relationships, LGBTQIA+ issues, kink, BDSM, polyamory, as well as disability, illness, stress management and special training in diversity and intercultural issues. CSCTs have had at least some training in contemporary treatment modalities including art therapy and/or psychedelic treatment. CSCTs are versed in countertransference and the self as therapist. CSCTs can provide integrative relationship therapy to couples and groups, and may with specialized additional training, offer intensive psychotherapy and retreats. CSCTs have completed a SAR and must renew their certification every two years.” - ISTI website
What is the difference between a Sex Addiction Therapist & a Sex Therapist?
Certified sex addiction therapists Certified Sex Addiction Therapists (CSAT) are professionals who have taken supplementary training to treat individuals experiencing compulsive sexual behaviors, or sex addiction.
AASECT recognizes that people may experience significant physical, psychological, spiritual and sexual health consequences related to their sexual urges, thoughts or behaviors.
AASECT recommends that its members utilize models that do not unduly pathologize consensual sexual behaviors. AASECT 1) does not find sufficient empirical evidence to support the classification of sex addiction or porn addiction as a mental health disorder, and 2) does not find the sexual addiction training and treatment methods and educational pedagogies to be adequately informed by accurate human sexuality knowledge. Therefore, it is the position of AASECT that linking problems related to sexual urges, thoughts or behaviors to a porn/sexual addiction process cannot be advanced by AASECT as a standard of practice for sexuality education delivery, counseling or therapy.
A certified Sex Therapist or Couples/Sex Therapist are licensed mental health professionals, trained to provide in-depth psychotherapy, who have specialized in treating clients with sexual issues and concerns.
In the absence of available licensure, they are certified, registered, or clinical members of a national psychotherapy organization.
Sex therapists work with simple sexual concerns also, but in addition, where appropriate, are prepared to provide comprehensive and intensive psychotherapy over an extended period of time in more complex cases.