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Counseling Services

Frequently Asked Questions About Our VOICE Therapy

***Due to COVID-19, all counseling services are being offered through telehealth***

Why do I feel this way?

Sexual violence impacts people in many ways. Often experienced as abuse, violation, and/or trauma, sexual violence can create disturbance in survivors’ nervous systems, emotions, and thoughts. It can lower self-esteem, make it harder to trust others, and dull perceptions of danger. It can even impact relationships and one’s spiritual life. Untreated, trauma from sexual violence can lead to issues with anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Why seek therapy?

We believe therapy can help, through listening, support, education, and skills building. We can’t promise that Our VOICE therapy will eliminate trauma symptoms, but Our VOICE therapists do walk beside survivors on their healing journey. Therapists can help survivors identify and cope with triggers and calm their own nervous systems, returning to their “resilient zone”. Therapists can help clients access and amplify their own personal resources, both interior and exterior, that are so vital for healing from an experience of sexual violence. Therapists can help survivors understand how trauma impacted them, and work to mitigate those impacts, so they can start living their lives again.

Who can receive therapy at Our VOICE?

Our VOICE offers short-term therapy, in English or Spanish, to survivors to help them heal from experiences of sexual violence. This therapy is available to residents of Buncombe County, ages 13 and up, regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, socio-economic status, religion, or immigration status. Therapy is available for primary survivors as well as their loved ones (AKA secondary survivors).

What if I do not live in Buncombe County?

We can help survivors who reside in NC find sexual violence-related therapy in their home counties. Survivors living outside of NC should contact RAINN (1-800-656-4673) for resources in their own state.

How much does therapy cost?

We believe that everyone has the right to support after sexual violence, regardless of their ability to pay for therapy. However, private therapy can cost $70-200 per session. At Our VOICE clients pay what they can afford. We ask clients to pay a one-time $20 suggested donation; those who can pay more are encouraged to pay more, and those who cannot pay the one-time $20 suggested donation can pay what they can or request to have the donation waived.

What is therapy like?

Our VOICE therapists listen, help survivors understand how their trauma impacted them, and support them in handling trauma symptoms. Whether a survivor just needs validation, a non-judgmental listening ear, or help managing triggers, intrusive memories, or nightmares, Our VOICE therapists can help. Survivors need to feel heard and believed, know that they are not alone, and know that this was not their fault. Survivors are never pressured to talk about details about their abuse or assault.

How much therapy does Our VOICE offer?

At this time, individuals who request therapy are offered up to eight (8) individual 45 minute sessions. Groups are available on a more limited basis, and do not count toward the 8 sessions. 

What if 8 sessions are not enough?

Many survivors of sexual violence need more than 8 sessions of therapy. This if usually the case if there was more than one incident of sexual violence, if it occurred when the survivor was a child, or if the violence contributed to a mental health diagnosis that needs attention. Due to capacity limitations, and high demand for therapy, Our VOICE thearpists cannot offer more than 8 sessions, but they can help survivors explore other mental health resources available.

How are Our VOICE therapists trained?

All Our VOICE therapists are licensed mental health clinicians (LCMHCs or LCSWs who hold a master’s or doctorate degree), or graduate students pursuing licensure in mental health. All therapists engage in weekly supervision of their work, and the graduate students engage in several hours/week of supervision. Clinical supervision helps hold therapists accountable for doing their best work, and provides opportunities for them to expand their knowledge base and improve their skills. Our VOICE partners with several graduate level counseling programs in the area, including Lenoir Rhyne, Western Carolina University, and Appalachian State University. All programs are rigorous 60-hr graduate training programs that meet CACREP approval.

Will I be given a diagnosis when I get therapy?

Not at Our VOICE. We understand that trauma can mobilize protective responses in the body, heart, and brain, some of which can qualify an individual for a mental health diagnosis. However, at Our VOICE we don’t pathologize a survivor for their response to crimes that happened to them. We focus, instead, on supporting survivors in their healing from trauma, not on treating a diagnosis.

Can I get a diagnosis if I request one?

No, but we can refer out to someone who can assess clients to see if they do qualify for a diagnosis. Some survivors need or want a diagnosis for documentation purposes. For example, someone seeking to have their pet designated an “emotional support animal” would need to have a mental health practitioner provide a diagnosis, assess the animal, and write up a treatment plan that testifies to the role that animal plays in the treatment of the diagnosis. Some survivors need a diagnosis to help clarify and pay for treatment. For example, a survivor who is experiencing extreme disruptions to daily living may need a treatment plan tailored to their specific diagnosis. Insurance will only pay for therapy that is targeted at treating a specific diagnosis.

Do you offer groups?

There are facilitative factors in groups that go beyond what individual therapy can offer. Many survivors find healing in knowing that they are not alone, in connecting with other survivors, seeing hope in those who are further along the healing journey, and offering hope to others in turn. Depending on therapist capacity and client interest, Our VOICE therapists offer a variety of different groups (not all groups are offered at all times). In the past, we have offered process (talking) groups, psychoeducational groups, visual arts groups, music therapy groups, and DBT groups. We have offered groups in Spanish and English, and groups based on age, gender, or type of trauma. Some groups are open, some are closed, and we have even offered retreats!

How do I get into a group?

All groups require orientation and screening. Some also require that clients be concurrently enrolled in individual counseling. Please talk with a therapist about what types of groups are offered at this time.

I am under age 18. Can I get therapy without telling my parents?

No. Minors can receive support from other Our VOICE staff, but parental consent is required to receive therapy from a licensed mental health clinician or from someone pursuing licensure in mental health.

Is therapy confidential?

Yes. Clients’ stories, identities, and words are between clients and therapists. Exceptions to confidentiality generally pertain to safety concerns, training and supervision, and involvement of support persons. Therapists will go over any applicable exceptions to confidentiality with each client.

Can I still get therapy if I know some of the staff at Our VOICE?

Absolutely. Please let us know if this is the case, and we can talk more about what this will look like, and try to arrange a plan that provides maximum confidentiality. If a client already knows an Our VOICE therapist, in a non-therapy role, that client and therapist will not be assigned to work together.

How do I access telehealth?

There are 3 things clients need to be able to access telehealth:

  1. A confidential, private space
  2. A strong internet connection 
  3. A device that connects to the internet. While we do not currently have the ability to provide these things, we can help brainstorm creative ways to overcome specific barriers, and increase access to telehealth.

How do I get started with therapy?

Survivors can call our business line at (828) 252-0562 to speak with an Our VOICE staff member about therapy. Our therapists are usually in scheduled sessions with clients, and will return calls as soon as possible, and help get the process started.

Can I start therapy immediately?

The Our VOICE crisis line, staffed by trained staff and advocates, is available 24/7 for crises involving sexual violence. There is usually a waitlist for therapy. A therapist can give more details about this during the initial phone conversation. However, if a client is experiencing a mental health crisis and needs to speak with a licensed mental health provider right away, they should not wait for an Our VOICE therapist to call them back. They should call 911 or Mobile Crisis at 1-888-573-1006.

More Questions?

If you are interested in any services or have further questions, please call Our Voice at (828) 252-0562.

If you need immediate assistance, please call our 24-hour crisis line at (828) 255-7576.