Privacy and Your First Visit
To keep your information secure, please don't share sensitive health details through our online forms. If you're a new client, please finish your intake paperwork before your first appointment. Having that done ahead of time helps us get straight to the important work and focus entirely on you from the moment we start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to help you get started
Starting therapy is a significant step, and it is natural to have questions about how the process works and what to expect. Here is some information about my approach and how we can work together toward your goals.
Therapy provides a dedicated space to build the tools you need to handle things like anxiety, depression, or tension in your relationships. You will gain a better understanding of your own values, learn how to communicate more clearly, and find ways to break old habits that are no longer serving you. The goal is to help you feel more grounded and confident in your daily life.
A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
- Developing skills for improving your relationships
- Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
- Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
- Improving communications and listening skills
- Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
- Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
- Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
Most people are used to managing their own problems, but reaching out for support is actually a sign of strength and self-awareness. It shows you know when a new perspective could be helpful. Therapy gives you long-term strategies to handle triggers and shift patterns that might feel impossible to change when you are trying to do everything by yourself.
Every session is tailored to what you are going through. Usually, we meet once a week to talk about current challenges and how your history might be influencing them. You will get the most out of our time if you stay engaged between sessions, whether that is through journaling, reading, or trying out new ways of handling specific situations we discussed.
I believe in looking at the whole picture. While medication can be helpful for managing physical or physiological symptoms, therapy gets to the root causes and behaviors behind those symptoms. I am happy to coordinate with your doctor or psychiatrist to make sure your treatment plan is balanced and effective for your long-term growth.
Your privacy is a priority. Everything we discuss is confidential and will not be shared without your written permission. There are very few legal exceptions to this rule, such as if there is a concern about the safety of a child or an elder, or if there is an immediate risk of someone being harmed.
Before your first visit, please complete the Intake and Privacy forms and bring them with you to the session. It is also a good idea to check with your insurance company ahead of time to confirm your mental health coverage, any per-session costs, and whether you need a referral from your primary doctor.
I have been practicing for over 35 years and specialize in working with individuals, couples, and families. My expertise covers addiction and recovery, an area where I have over 35 years of experience, as well as eating disorders, grief, stress management, and conflict resolution.
Treating conditions like Anorexia, Bulimia, or Binge Eating Disorder requires a team approach because they are so complex. I often work alongside nutritionists and medical doctors to ensure you have full support. My focus is on the psychological side of body image and recovery while staying in close contact with your medical team to keep you safe.
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 integrative approach to wellness. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you, and in some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.
Insurance is not accepted directly. However, a monthly invoice can be provided for clients who would like to submit for possible reimbursement through their insurance plan or apply costs toward their deductible.
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Still have questions?
I'm here to help you figure out if this is the right fit for what you're going through.
While these questions cover the basics, you likely have specific concerns about how counseling can help your situation. Whether you're navigating addiction recovery, relationship struggles, or an eating disorder, I'm here to provide direction. To keep your information secure, please avoid sharing sensitive health details in your first message. We can talk through those details once we connect and figure out the best way to move forward.
Our Location
Todd Hickman, LCSW
Todd Hickman, LCSW
377 Riverside Dr. Ste. 302, Franklin, TN
(901) 870-4891
Monday - Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
By Appointment Only
Saturday - Sunday
Closed
Send Us a Message
Reach out with any questions or feedback and our team will respond as quickly as possible. We look forward to hearing from you.