Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of counseling?

How long are the sessions?

How do you get to our offices?

What is counseling like?

What can we do for depression?

What can we do for troubled marriages?

Q.  What is the cost of counseling?

A.  The normal cost for a counseling session is $110. I am covered with Regence Blue Shield, Premera Blue Cross as well as any other Blue Cross or Blue Shield card out of state. I am also covered with Uniform Medical Plan. If you insurance covers me at an out-of-network rate, I have you pay the $110 and I give you a specialized receipt to help ensure you get prompt reimbursement.  If insurance does not cover my services, I have a sliding scale that is based on income and number of people in your family. I also do allow for extenuating circumstances.

Q.  How long are the counseling sessions?

A.  Counseling sessions are 45-55 minutes long.  Ninety minute sessions are available.  Usually, most goals can be reached within three months.  Going to seven counseling sessions is that national average length of time.  I believe that counseling should be productive and effective.  Assignments of journaling, bibliotherapy (reading a book) or writing a process letter can speed up treatment.  We also want counseling to be effective and help you get unstuck in your journey towards Christ.  Sometimes the counseling is a longer course.  Some clients come to "feel better" and not necessarily "get better."  The Church has everything that one needs to be healed from the passions.  So why go to counseling?  Because, oftentimes, we need help, information and support to heal some wounds, and break some patterns to help us access more fully the sacramental life of the Church.  

Q. How do you get to our offices?

A.  If you are going to the Lake Stevens office, you get off at the Hwy 2 Exit in Everett, heading East.  Go over the trussell.  Take the left-turning exit that says Lake Stevens.  Go to your first stoplight which is 91st AVE NE.  Take a right.  We are in the plaza marked, 430 91st AVE NE.  Our office is in Suite #8.  There is a big sign that says, Erik Bohlin, New Hope Counseling, but it is next to other counselors unfortunately.  Instead look for my name on the window and you will have found us.

If you are going to the Lynnwood office, you will get onto 196th ST SW, the main street.  Head West towards 99.  Look for Wights Nursery and the Family Christian Bookstore.  We are in that complex.  Go in between those two businesses, the nursery and the bookstore.  There is a little driveway near an espresso stand.  We are the first professional building on the right.  The address is 5108 196th ST SW.  We are downstairs in suite #103.  There is a phone, I can use, but you need to page me to contact me at this office.  The pager number is 425-267-7387.

Q.  What is counseling like?

A.   All healing comes from God.  I believe that counseling can be a small part in that healing process.  What are we really being healed from?  The passions.  But, a lot of times, people come in with issues of anxiety, depression, marital troubles, addictions, attention problems, family dysfunctions, and painful wounds that are their major immediate goal.  Counseling from an orthodox perspective, can help one deal with their immediate need, as well as point them toward to ultimate goal which is to be free of the passions (sufferings) so as to find our true self and Christ.

While a lot of therapy is comforting and encouraging, it is important to know that counseling can be challenging at times and can bring up uncomfortable feelings.  Counseling is a partnership between the therapist and the client.  A counselor's main job is to help that person get unstuck and move to greater health. 

Q.  What can we do for depression?

A.  The Church fathers talk about the "noonday demon" and the passion of "acedia."  Truly participation in the life of the Church is vital.  The body and blood of Jesus Christ is the "medicine of immortality" as St. Ignatius says.  In addition to the spiritual side of depression there appears to be some biological components.

A lot is happening in the research and study of depression. By looking at imaging of the brain, we can see that depression involves neurotransmitters of Serotonin, Dopamine and Norepinephrine. The is medication that helps to adjust these chemical processes. While medication can be helpful, there are a lot of concerns about side effects. We know that "interpersonal counseling" and "cognitive behavioral therapy" is just as effective, if not more effective than antidepressants. Some of the latest thinking is that treatment for depression involves growing brain cells. This would explain why antidepressants take about 5 weeks to work, because that is how long it takes for a new brain cell to grow. It also explains why "going to Hawaii," "learning a new skill," and "changing how one believes" makes us feel better. It appears the more we use our brains, they better off we are. People often complain when suffering from depression that they can't stop thinking negative thoughts--a one track mind.  Looking at how the church talks about thoughts and "logismoi" is important in our healing from such thoughts.  Often there is correlation from what the Church teaches us on how to handle thought and the current research.   Studies have shown that there are certain exercises and workbooks that help people rearrange their thinking, that in turn give them freedom from depression. The results of the methods have shown positive lasting benefits as long as 2 years.

Q.  What can we do for troubled marriages and relationships?

A.   Marriage from an orthodox Christian point of view is a sacrament, a holy mystery as St. Paul talks about.  Because of this and the nature of marriage, marriage counseling is really different from individual counseling.  In individual counseling, the person is seen by themselves usually and the focus is on the intrapsychic issues, that is their thinking, their feelings, and their own issues.  In marital counseling, the focus is on the system or "the dance" that they do.  We see the "marriage" as "the client," rather than two individuals.  The sum is greater than each of the parts.  Most importantly, we see look at what the process of healing from the passion is for each individual within the marriage.

Couples come to therapy usually with some kind of communication block.  Hurt, frustration, distrust and continuous arguments can cause a couple to seek counseling. 

On a practical note, marriage counselors, help people identify the type of dance that they do.  They do the dance unconsciously.  One may over-function, while the other under-functions.  Or is it that the under-functioning one causes the other to over-function.  Systems theory answers with, "yes."  They both influence each other rather than "cause" the problem.  The dance itself is the problem.  They might be headed for separation and divorce, and see the other as "the problem."  Little do they realize that they are taking their part of the dance with them.  Without help, they are very likely to get into the same kind of dance, just with a different dancing partner.  Once they identify their part in the dance, the therapist helps them make conscious changes in the pattern.  If one gets more angry than the other, then they might try to switch their roles a little.  One may feel 150% of the anger while the other only feels 50%.  They could work together to channel their anger into making constructive changes rather than take it out on each other.  Then the therapist helps them stabilize the new pattern.  This is why marital therapy usually takes a 3-4 month commitment to see real change.  Of course, people don't commit until they have established a rapport with the therapist and have decided for themselves that this is the course of treatment for them.