Deb McCarren LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Change Your Life Counseling, LLC - Frequently Asked Questions


How long does therapy last?


Most people come to therapy once a week, for an hour each session. These weekly sessions may go on for 8 weeks to years, depending on your needs, wants, and goals. Therapy should be considered a journey, rather than a destination. Therapy may sometimes become more intensive (meeting more than once per week) to less intensive over time, based on how you are feeling and coping with stress at any given time.


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 integrated approach to wellness.


Do you accept insurance?


We are a fee-for-service company. This means we accept cash as the only form of payment. This being said, our rate is nominal compared to the therapeutic standard. We charge $65 per hour.


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 dependant 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.
  • 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.


How do I get started?


Please give us a call at your earliest convenience and we will help set up an appointment. Our manager Deb McCarren will be happy to set you up with the best matched clinician. Feel free to ask any questions about the process and each individual staff member's style and specialties. Remember, this is YOUR life, YOUR journey. (908-447-6129).