Mission Statement

The mission of Lgs Options is to offer solutions to the resolution of problems. Distributive justice, self-determination, care and compassion balanced with collaboration and participation that honors human diversity are our values. We believe that the best way to stimulate change is to identify that change is happening and to recognize choice as either reactive or proactive. This involves educating individuals about their choices and creating an environment where change is possible. It also means managing the emotional components associated with change.

Overview

Changing lifestyle behaviors and patterns is difficult. At Lgs Options we offer tools to facilitate and motivate our clients in order to facilitate change. We help identify an individual�s strengths and empower them to succeed by focusing on lifestyle-related behaviors that must change for improved health. A therapist is a guide, much like a personal trainer, that provides support, guidance, and encouragement to manage specific symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, relationship, grief, loss, trauma, addictions, and aging. Services include individual, marital, family therapy and on occasion group treatment.

Programs

Psychotherapy Programs and Fees

Insurance:

Clients ask if fees are covered under insurance. The answer is both yes and no. It is a complex issue. Hopefully, the information below will help answer some of your specific insurance questions.

There are a number of ways to pay for services: The first is for the client to pay for service. This is considered private pay and LGS Options will reduce fees if there is a demonstrated need, and the client also is willing and committed to "doing the work of therapy".

Ultimately it is the client who is responsible for payment of fees. LGS Options encourages individuals to speak directly to their insurance companies to determine exactly what their plan will cover. At LGS Options, our category of reimbursement is LCSW and you need to be specific with your insurance company regarding the credentials billed under. The insurance company will also inform you of two important facts: one is your deductible and the other is your co-pay. Our support staff will bill your insurance company for you and if "on panel" with the insurance company, we will accept the agreed upon fee from them, along with your co-pay.

Fee for service companies allow you to select any provider and they will reimburse what they have determined is usually and customary (more about this later). Closed system managed care providers will not accept provider unless they are on their specific provider list. And finally the open system managed care companies will reimburse a portion of the fee.

The flow chart is provided as a tool to help you decipher the answer about insurance acceptance. If you have further questions, please contact Lgs Options via e-mail or phone.

Health Focus

The human organism is designed for survival. Survival means having the ability to maintain all systems within particular parameters. Homeostasis and allostasis are processes that maintain balance within the system and keep the body functioning at an optimum level. Homeostasis is an organism�s ability to maintain physiological stability. McEwen (2002) coined the term allostasis to reflect a state of balance regarding the body�s reaction to stress or tension management. How an individual responds to perceived threat, harm, or loss triggers an internal cascade of chemicals that influence homeostasis and allostasis and the organism�s ability to recover. Salutogenesis is a Model that focuses on wellness. It is not about a dichotomous approach to health that contrasts with pathology. The model is an inclusive system that recognizes the multidimensional variables that reflect the overview of how well an organism functions on a wellness continuum. It is suited to quantifying issues around resiliency.

Health is more than the absence of disease. It includes multiple systems like social, cultural, biological, and spiritual. The social system includes all relationship connections like family, friends, work, and other organizational relationships. Culture is our classifying system. It includes the norms of society, knowledge, beliefs, and values of the society. Social structures are elements of culture. Biological is the totality of our physical being. Genetics, nutrition, and exercise all fit within this sphere. Spiritual is how we assess our relationship to life. The overall health of an individual functions on a continuum that includes these elements. All of these factors are influential in determining at what point an individual lays on the health continuum and ties into resiliency. Aaron Antonovsky (1982) developed a model of health called Salutogenesis. The Sense of Coherence is part of his model and defined by �A global orientation that expresses the extent to which one has a pervasive, enduring though dynamic feeling of confidence that one�s internal and external environments are predictable and that there is a high probability that things will work out as well as can be reasonably expected� (p.123). This is a different approach to health. Essentially what he is suggesting is that when there is a sense of control, commitment, and confidence in ones ability to manage the challenges of life, one is healthier.

Our society has focused on pathogenesis or the study of disease. If one is ill and needs diagnosis and treatment, our society has magnificent resources for those who can afford to purchase the services. If symptoms do not fall into tidy classifications, problems ensue. Life is more than being free from disease. Many individual�s are free from disease yet lack a high Sense of Coherence as defined by Antonovsky. The Sense of Coherence can be measured.

Health is about building strengths and understanding resiliency. The essence of resiliency is the ability to bounce back from adversity, frustration and misfortune. Key resiliency factors include the following:

• Strong SOC
• Control
• Commitment
• Viewing change as challenge
• Rationality
• Flexibility
• Farsightedness
• Affect regulation (managing feelings)
• Problem-focused coping style
• Healthy genetic structure
• Sound nutrition
• Social support
• Availability of material (money) resources