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Faq

Where is your office located?

My office is located at 52389 Windover Lane, in Granger, on the corner of Farmington Square Road and Windover Lane. It’s a white house with black shutters and an orange front door.

Parking is in front of the house, adjacent to the front door.

How do I set up an initial appointment?

The first step is to set up a consultation appointment so we can discuss your issues and determine if we would be a good fit for therapy. Just give me a call at (574) 339-6313 to schedule, or you can email me at emily@freedomrecoverysb.com

What are your hours?

Sunday: 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Monday: 1:00pm – 6:00pm
Wednesday: 9:00am-1:00pm
Thursday: 1:00pm – 5:30pm

Do you take insurance?

I don’t take any insurance. However, I’m happy to provide an invoice for you to submit to your insurance provider, if you are eligible for out-of-network benefits.

How much does individual and group therapy cost?

Individual Therapy (55 min): $185/hour
I offer individual therapy for adults 21 and up. Most attend on a weekly basis for at least the first 8-12 weeks; some drop down to biweekly or monthly sessions, depending on their level of need.

Group Therapy 
I offer two weekly therapy groups for people in recovery. The cost varies according to the client’s frequency of individual therapy.

What are your cancellation, no-show, late arrival, and late payment policies?

Clients who cancel or reschedule their appointments at least 24 hours prior to the session will not be charged.

Clients who cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice will be responsible for the full session fee, unless they have a documented medical emergency. 

Please note that if you’re running late for a session, you’re welcome to arrive anytime within the session hour, and we will work with however much time we do have.

Finally, there is a $10 service charge for clients who fail to make a payment at the time of the session.

Will you keep all my information completely confidential?

Your personal privacy and all the information you share in therapy is legally protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Your information will remain completely confidential, except in certain (legal) circumstances. Please click here for a complete description of my HIPAA/Privacy Policies. 

 

What types of clients do you work with?

I work with adults age 25 and up for issues relating to addiction and recovery. I also work with clients of all races, genders, spiritual/religious beliefs, and sexual orientations. 

Do you see clients for issues other than addiction?

No, I do not.

Do you work with family members of addicts?

No, I do not. Family members are deeply affected by addiction, and they need help to recover. However, I do not do family therapy or organize interventions on behalf of family members.

What gives you the confidence that you can help me?

It sounds crazy, but it was years before I started my own recovery from drug and alcohol abuse that I became passionate about pursuing a career in addictions treatment.  (Come to think of it, drugs and alcohol made crazy pretty often.)

My first years as a therapist were spent working with court-ordered clients: in other words, people “forced” to get sober, as opposed to asking for help on their own. But because of my empathic, non-confrontational approach, I helped many of my clients see the impact of their addiction and find their own motivation for sobriety.

From there (and with hard work and dedication from my clients), I witnessed incredible transformations, especially from a few who initially told me to “go to hell,” insisting that “I don’t have a problem!”

It’s not magic. When people begin to trust the treatment process, their therapist, and especially themselves, they’re capable of making incredible positive changes in their lives. I never take that trust lightly.

 

What do you do in sessions with clients?

The short answer is that it totally depends on where a client is when they begin treatment. For those who are reluctant or fearful about changing their lifestyle, I will spend as many sessions as it takes helping them find their own authentic motivation for doing so.

For those who acknowledge their problems and are eager to begin the change process, we get started right away on examining the thoughts, behaviors, and feelings that surround the issues, so we can get a specific focus on what our work is going to be targeting. I also encourage clients to use their therapy time to bring up any problems, successes, or issues they are experiencing in their lives, as these will be the best way for us to track their progress and identify any remaining barriers to their success.

What modalities do you use in your client work?

My core modality is cognitive-behavioral: changing your thoughts and core beliefs in order to change your feelings and behavior. More broadly, I use an existential, here-and-now approach, where clients start accepting responsibility for making themselves fulfilled and happy. I also work from a narrative perspective, helping my clients create positive and constructive meaning from their personal stories — even trauma. Many of my clients also engage in a Twelve-Step program of recovery, and I am always happy to assist them with their step work.

Are you going to make me get completely sober?

No. I never “make” or pressure my clients to do anything. As you have the desire and the will to make positive changes in your life, I will help you through the process of overcoming fears and embracing your new future — whatever you want that to look like.

Will you get mad at me if I relapse? Should I even bother coming back?

Nobody’s recovery follows a perfect, straight line — and if someone tells you otherwise, I bet they’re lying! This is exactly what I’m here for: to support and encourage you when you’re struggling, to applaud your successes, and to help you get on track with your goals, regardless of where you’ve just been.

Will you make me go to 12-Step meetings like AA or NA?

No, but in most cases l’ll strongly encourage it. Most of us in recovery are well served by the sense of community, support, and inspiration found in regular 12-Step meetings. We’ll work at your own pace and comfort level in acclimating you to 12-Step work, if that’s the direction you’re willing to go. But meetings are not treatment, and for some people, they can be intimidating or triggering. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to recovery. 

What is your professional training and expertise?

What drew me to become an addictions therapist was my own, decades-long struggle cycling through substance abuse — with a few other addictive behaviors thrown in for good measure! I waited way too long, and went through way too much pain, before finally starting my own recovery process. These days, I consider myself a healthy, happy, and positive “work in progress.”  (Notice I didn’t say perfect!)

I know the power of great therapy, but I also know it has to start with how badly YOU want to change. I can help guide and motivate you on both fronts.

As far as education, I have an undergraduate degree in philosophy from NYU (I love a good, deep discussion), then studied journalism at the University of Missouri (how I help clients make meaning from their personal stories). I earned my Master’s in social work from Indiana University-South Bend, where my concentration was mental health and addictions.

Before founding Freedom Recovery Group in January 2019, I did my clinical addictions training at Oaklawn Psychiatric in South Bend, then spent three years as the lead addictions therapist and director of the substance abuse program at Center for Positive Change in South Bend.

Do you have a couch where I can lie down during therapy, like in the movies?

Definitely. I just ask that you take off your shoes first.