These are just a few of the common questions we have received over the years. If you have a more specific inquiry, please contact us using the button below.

Quick Links to the Common Questions:

What is the difference between BST and traditional Art, Music, and Dance Therapies?

As a client, have you done traditional art, music, or dance therapy? Great!
BRAINsmART builds on these expressive arts therapies using exercises that make a cognitive link to specific events and memories that have influenced your behavior, emotions, thoughts and core beliefs in the present. Traditional adjunctive therapies tend to be activity /action without providing a clear cognitive link that gives us the strategies to change patterns in behavior, emotion, and thought.

It is important to know WHY and HOW BRAINsmART therapy offers creative problem solving solutions to the life challenges you are facing
There are many reasons why people want to start therapy, but therapy is a dynamic interpersonal process, so needs will change as the problems that bring you into the process get resolved. Sometimes, people come because they want to address a long-standing psychological issue that seems related to their current anxiety , anger, or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes such as a divorce or work transition.

Many seek the advice of counsel as they pursue their own personal exploration and need for increased self-awareness. Working with a therapist is a way to gain insight, support, and new strategies for changing patterns in your emotional, mental and interpersonal life. Therapy is a process of self-discovery and looking within to your personal resources as we move through depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress, body-image issues, and trauma from the past and present. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life, increasing personal and interpersonal self-awareness, and facilitating change in their lives.

Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.

It is during these overwhelming times, that we can learn how to ask for an outside opinion and determine if their advise works. Although it may feel uncomfortable at first, knowing when to ask for help is a sign of strength, especially if you have successfully navigated other difficulties in your life. You are in a better position to seek out extra support when you have enough self-awareness to realize that someone else could give you other options and perspectives that are not coming to you in a state of overwhelm. At these times, you are taking responsibility to seek out help by accepting where you're at while making a commitment to change. BRAINsmART Therapists provide you with practical strategies -engaging your mind, emotions and body that help you know your 'triggers' and re-direct self-harming 'knee-jerk' reactions into safe creative responses.

How can BRAINsmART Therapy help me?

BRAINsmART Therapists are different because we can go beyond the talking cure. The unique and practical problem-solving skills are customized for each client's problem solving strengths. We will provide you with new out-of-the-box perspectives on a difficult problem or encourage you to explore new modes of thinking, without telling you what to do. The benefits you obtain always depend on how you use and practice the strategies you are given. Some of the benefits available from BRAINsmART therapy include:

Gain a deeper understanding of yourself, by acknowledging, accepting, and altering your patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving.
Develop creative skills and practices that increase self-awareness and interpersonal attunement.
Learn creative outlets that can discharge your physiological stress and release emotions through brain-shifting exercises.
Learn strategies that help you KNOW your triggers so you can control your reactions.
Learn that EMOTIONS are not the ENEMY by safely exploring emotions and where they came from.
Improve listening and self-reflection skills which promotes good communication.
Learn to see your destructive patterns of behavior, accept that they were once 'adaptive and develop new pathways of creative action.
Discover new modes of perception that help see problems and stress as opportunities.
Improve your sense of self and personal authenticity

What is BRAINsmART therapy like?

Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. It is standard for therapists to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around fifty minutes. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect out of therapy:

Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
Creative strategies for enacting positive change
Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance

In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you. 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.

Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?

Dr. Nancy Lubow is in network for almost all insurance plans. To determine if you have mental health coverage, the first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage carefully and find the answers to the following questions:

Is Dr. Nancy Lubow in network with my insurance plan?
What are my mental health benefits under this plan?
What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
Is approval required from my primary care physician?

Confidentiality

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.

However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:

Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.
If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.

Do you teach BST methods to other therapists and clinicians?
Contact Nancy Lublow for information about learning BRAINsmART methods in your own practice. Call 267.261.9987

As a professional in the adjunct therapies (art, music, and dance), how can I incorporate BST methods into my own practice?
Contact Nancy Lublow for information about learning BRAINsmART methods in your own practice. Call 267.261.9987