Frequently Asked Questions
Therapy provides a safe, confidential space to better understand yourself, work through challenges, and develop healthier ways of coping with life's difficulties. Whether you are experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, grief, relationship concerns, or a major life transition, therapy can help you gain insight, build practical skills, and create meaningful, lasting change.
At Ujima Life Services, we believe therapy begins with understanding the whole person. We work collaboratively with you to identify your goals and develop an approach that reflects your strengths, values, and lived experiences.
At Ujima Life Services, we believe therapy begins with understanding the whole person. We work collaboratively with you to identify your goals and develop an approach that reflects your strengths, values, and lived experiences.
Many people who come to therapy are capable, resilient individuals who have managed life's challenges on their own for years. Therapy is not a sign of weakness. It is an opportunity to gain perspective, learn new skills, and receive support during difficult seasons of life.
Sometimes having an objective, trained professional to talk with can help you move through challenges more effectively than trying to carry everything alone.
Sometimes having an objective, trained professional to talk with can help you move through challenges more effectively than trying to carry everything alone.
If emotional, relationship, or life challenges are affecting your daily life, work, relationships, or overall well-being, therapy may be helpful.
You do not have to be in crisis to benefit from counseling. Many people seek therapy to improve communication, manage stress, increase self-awareness, strengthen relationships, or support personal growth.
You do not have to be in crisis to benefit from counseling. Many people seek therapy to improve communication, manage stress, increase self-awareness, strengthen relationships, or support personal growth.
Your first appointment is an opportunity for you and your therapist to get to know one another. You will discuss what brings you to therapy, your goals, your history, and any questions you may have about the counseling process.
Together, you and your therapist will begin developing a plan that reflects your needs and goals. There is no expectation that you share everything during the first session. Building trust takes time.
Together, you and your therapist will begin developing a plan that reflects your needs and goals. There is no expectation that you share everything during the first session. Building trust takes time.
Therapy helps individuals address emotional distress, mental health concerns, trauma, and other issues that may benefit from clinical treatment. Coaching focuses on personal growth, goal achievement, leadership, life transitions, and building on existing strengths.
If you are unsure which service best fits your needs, we are happy to discuss your goals and help you determine the most appropriate option.
If you are unsure which service best fits your needs, we are happy to discuss your goals and help you determine the most appropriate option.
Walk & Talk Therapy combines traditional psychotherapy with the benefits of walking outdoors. Sessions take place in designated outdoor locations and follow the same professional and ethical standards as office-based therapy.
This approach may be especially appealing for individuals who enjoy nature, feel more comfortable walking while talking, or want to incorporate movement into their wellness routine.
This approach may be especially appealing for individuals who enjoy nature, feel more comfortable walking while talking, or want to incorporate movement into their wellness routine.
Yes. Ujima Life Services offers secure telehealth appointments for clients throughout Pennsylvania.
Some services may also be available in person, depending on clinician availability and the nature of the service.
Some services may also be available in person, depending on clinician availability and the nature of the service.
Yes. We work with couples seeking to improve communication, strengthen their relationship, navigate conflict, prepare for marriage, or work through major life transitions.
Our goal is to create a respectful environment where both partners feel heard and supported.
Our goal is to create a respectful environment where both partners feel heard and supported.
Yes. Ujima Life Services participates with several commercial insurance plans. Please visit our Fees & Insurance page for the most current list of accepted insurance plans.
Insurance participation may vary by clinician. We are happy to help verify your benefits before your first appointment.
Insurance participation may vary by clinician. We are happy to help verify your benefits before your first appointment.
We welcome self-pay clients and offer a limited sliding fee scale based on financial need. We also participate in the Open Path Psychotherapy Collective to help make therapy more affordable for eligible individuals.
Please contact our office to discuss available options.
Please contact our office to discuss available options.
Yes. Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards are accepted for eligible services.
Many people find strength, comfort, and guidance through their faith. At Ujima Life Services, we respect the important role that faith and spirituality can play in a person's life.
Therapy is not intended to replace your relationship with God, your faith community, or your spiritual practices. Instead, therapy can complement those sources of support by helping you better understand your thoughts, emotions, relationships, and life experiences. If your faith is important to you, you are welcome to bring it into the counseling process.
Therapy is not intended to replace your relationship with God, your faith community, or your spiritual practices. Instead, therapy can complement those sources of support by helping you better understand your thoughts, emotions, relationships, and life experiences. If your faith is important to you, you are welcome to bring it into the counseling process.
Our team includes licensed mental health professionals as well as associate licensed clinicians who are working toward independent licensure under ongoing clinical supervision.
All of our clinicians have completed graduate-level training and are committed to providing ethical, compassionate, and culturally responsive care. If you have questions about which clinician may be the best fit for your needs or insurance coverage, we are happy to help.
All of our clinicians have completed graduate-level training and are committed to providing ethical, compassionate, and culturally responsive care. If you have questions about which clinician may be the best fit for your needs or insurance coverage, we are happy to help.
Yes. We provide clinical supervision for associate licensed clinicians working toward independent licensure in Pennsylvania, as well as peer consultation and professional development opportunities for mental health professionals.
Please note that supervision is a professional service and is separate from employment with Ujima Life Services.
Please note that supervision is a professional service and is separate from employment with Ujima Life Services.
No. Clinical supervision is provided independently of employment. Participation in supervision does not include client referrals or guarantee employment with Ujima Life Services.
The name Ujima comes from one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa and means collective work and responsibility.
It reflects our belief that healing is strengthened through supportive relationships, healthy communities, and a shared commitment to one another's well-being. This principle guides every aspect of our work, from individual therapy to community education and clinical training.
It reflects our belief that healing is strengthened through supportive relationships, healthy communities, and a shared commitment to one another's well-being. This principle guides every aspect of our work, from individual therapy to community education and clinical training.
Choosing a therapist is an important decision, and we understand that you may have questions that are unique to your situation.
We invite you to contact our office by phone or email. We are happy to answer your questions, discuss our services, and help you determine whether Ujima Life Services is the right fit for your needs
We invite you to contact our office by phone or email. We are happy to answer your questions, discuss our services, and help you determine whether Ujima Life Services is the right fit for your needs