I’ve never talked to anyone. I’m used to handling things on my own. Aren’t people who go to therapy weak?

Not at all. People who ask for help know when they need it and have the courage to reach out. Everyone needs help now and then. In our work together, I’ll help you explore and identify your strengths and how to implement them to reduce the influence of the problems you are facing.

What’s the difference between talking to you or my best friend or family?

The difference is between someone who can do something, and someone who has the training and experience to do that same thing professionally. A mental health professional can help you approach your situation in a new way– teach you new skills, gain different perspectives, listen to you without judgment or expectations, and help you listen to yourself. Furthermore, counseling is completely confidential. You won’t have to worry about others “knowing my business.” Lastly, if your situation provokes a great deal of negative emotion, and you’ve been confiding in a friend or family member, there is the risk that once you are feeling better you could start avoiding that person so you aren’t reminded of this difficult time in your life.

Why shouldn’t I just take medication?

Medication can be effective but it alone cannot solve all issues. Sometimes medication is needed in conjunction with counseling. Our work together is designed to explore and unpack the problems you are experiencing and expand on your strengths that can help you accomplish your personal goals.

How does it work? What do I have to do in sessions?

Because each person has different issues and goals for counseling, it will be different depending on the individual. I tailor my therapeutic approach to your specific needs.

How long will it take? What is the typical length of treatment?

Unfortunately, this is not possible to say in a general FAQs page. Everyone’s circumstances are unique to them and the length of time counseling can take to allow you to accomplish your goals depends on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the factors that are driving you to seek counseling in the first place.

A client may come to counseling once or twice, or may choose to continue counseling until they have met their goals for life improvement. The average length of treatment for Lisa Stull’s clients is approximately 3 months or 12 sessions based on the rapid response of clients to her solution-focused approaches.

Sessions are minimally 50 minutes for individuals and 80 minutes for couples.. Extended counseling sessions may be booked for 2 or more hours on a single day, and marathon sessions are usually booked 4 to 6 hours a day for two or more days. Clients who are traveling a distance, working through a crisis or prefer a longer session format may benefit from an extended/marathon session format.

I want to get the most out of therapy. What can I do to help?

I am so glad you are dedicated to getting the most out of your sessions. Your active participation and dedication will be crucial to your success.

What populations do you work with?

Lisa Stull has specialized training and over 20 years experience working with adolescents, adults, individuals, couples, children and families with a variety of ethnic, religious and sexually oriented backgrounds.

What are your business hours?

Morning, afternoon and evening appointments are available, Monday – Thursday. The office is closed Fridays. Weekends may be reserved for extended and marathon sessions.

Why do you offer free 20 minute consultations?

The therapeutic relationship depends a great deal on the rapport between the therapist and the client. It is important to feel comfortable with your therapist and know they are the right person to help you. Because of this key factor, therapy consultations are available for prospective clients free of charge. During this time we will briefly discuss your situation to evaluate whether or not my services meet your needs; while you can ask me questions and make sure there is going to be a good fit before investing a lot of time, energy and money. At the end of this consultation we can either make an appointment or I can refer you to services that are more appropriate for you. Consultations are offered via phone, email or in person to accommodate individual comfort levels.

What are your fees?

Psychotherapy fees are $190 for a 50 minute individual and $280 for an 80 minute Couples/EMDR session. Then I need to have separate rates for Angela Shelley, $95 for a 50 minute individual and $190 for an 80 minute Couples/EMDR session.

Business Consultations are dependent upon the services being requested, please contact us directly to discuss your needs.

What is your treatment approach?

Lisa Stull provides an integrative, individualized treatment approach tailored to distinctive client needs drawing from her 20 plus years of experience from varied agencies and treatment modalities. Lisa prides herself on her Gottman treatment methods for couples, her 1995 certification in EMDR for trauma, and her constant seeking of learning new methods and research to best serve her clients. Lisa also utilizes EFT, IFT, Mentalist, CBT, Solutions Focused and other modalities.

How can I pay for my services?

All major credit cards are accepted, as well as checks, cash and Flex pay medical cards. As a convenience to you, we offer a specialized service known as Preauthorized Payment which stores your preferred method of payment information using bank-level security. By providing your credit card number once, you will not have to be bothered to pay every time you see your therapist. Instead, you can spend every last minute of your therapy hour working on making positive changes.

CCS offers a couple of ways for those who need to pay less receive a discount. A 10% discount is given for 4 sessions paid in advance. If these fees pose a financial strain please contact us to see if there is room in our schedule for a sliding fee scale.

How do I know what I say will be kept confidential and professional?

All of your conversations with Lisa Stull are completely confidential from the moment you make contact whether phone, email or in person. The State of Colorado and the ethical principles of the Colorado Association of Marriage and Family Therapy provide for confidential, privileged communication between a therapist and client. This means that our sessions are private, and information will not be communicated to others without your informed written consent, (except where mandated otherwise by law, as in the case of child abuse and/or elder abuse or imminent danger to yourself or others).

Your client rights insure that you may expect and receive a professional relationship and atmosphere in our work together. For over 15 years Lisa Stull’s professional experiences have strengthened her dedication to create a positive, constructive and respectful professional relationship with all of her clients. Therefore, if we run into each other in public you will not acknowledged by her unless you acknowledge her first. This ensures you can maintain your anonymity.

Do you work with adolescents?

Yes! It can be hard to find a therapist willing to take on adolescents with their precarious attitudes and issues. Lisa Stull not only enjoys working with teens but also has an excellent track record for reaching through to them.

Why don’t you accept insurance?

Choice: YOU and your therapist are in charge of goals, length of treatment, and therapeutic choices.
Savings: You pay less because we don’t spend valuable hours on insurance paperwork.
Confidentiality: Insurance requires diagnosis to authorize treatment. These negative labels can follow you and be used to your disadvantage should a legal problem arise.
Mis-diagnosing/Over-diagnosing: Many insurance companies will not cover treatment unless it is a “medical necessity.” Therefore, the client may be given an exaggerated diagnosis that is not in their best interest.
Record: No record through your insurance company is created that will follow you. Depending on your diagnosis this record could prevent you from obtaining employment or interfere in obtaining a gun license.

Questions for interviewing a potential therapist:

• Can you tell me about your background and training?
• What percentage of your practice is couples’/trauma/(issue you are seeking therapy for) therapy?
• Of the clients you treat, what percentage would you say work out enough of their problems with a reasonable amount of satisfaction? What is your success rate?
• Why are you interested in helping couples (vs. battered women or at-risk kids, etc.)?
• How do you see the importance of keeping a marriage together when there are unresolved problems? What’s your personal bias regarding marriage (i.e. working to stay married at all costs vs. giving up too soon)?
• Do you use science-backed and/or evidence-based therapy? What is it? Why do you use it?
• What do you think makes a good relationship?
• What do you think makes a good therapist?
• How long do you anticipate seeing us?
• What do you consider to be success for us? For you?
• Why did you choose to be a therapist?
• Are you married? Do you have kids? What’s the toughest part about being/staying married?
• Do your political and religious views impact how you approach therapy?
• What are you really good at?
• What are you really bad at?