Frequently Asked Questions

 

The answers to some common questions are given below.  If you have additional questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call 817.404.7999 or email Doc Lok at info@doc-lok.com.

 

I've never talked to a therapist before.  What should I expect?

What kinds of problems do you see people for?

What types of treatment methods do you use?

Do you provide Christian counseling? 

How long are the sessions?

How often should I expect to come to therapy?

How long will therapy take?

Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?

What age groups do you work with?

Do you prescribe medication?

Do you do psychological testing?

Do you accept credit cards?

Can I use my Health Savings/Flex Spending Account to pay for services?

How much is the military discount?

Do you take insurance?

Where is your office?

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've never talked to a therapist before.  What should I expect?

 

Choosing a counselor can be a challenge.  Dr. Lok offers a free phone consultation so that you can discuss your concerns and determine if she is the right person to help you.  If not, she is willing to provide guidance and/or referrals to help you find the right psychotherapist.  If Dr. Lok offers the right fit for your needs, you will be scheduled for an appointment.  You can complete the necessary paperwork ahead of time or at the office.  [For pre-appointment paperwork, click here.]

 

During your first meeting, Dr. Lok will ask questions to try to gain a better understanding of the concerns that bring you to see her.  She will work with you to identify your goals and create a plan to achieve them.  This plan may include certain topics to discuss as well as techniques that will be used in session (e.g., relaxation exercises, challenging old ways of thinking, improving communication skills).  Dr. Lok may also recommend things for you to work on at home, such as reading, keeping a journal, considering key questions, or practicing new behaviors.  Periodically, your original plan will be reviewed to evaluate progress, refine goals, and identify next steps.  As you come closer to achieving your goals, Dr. Lok will discuss with you when and how to end therapy and what you can do to maintain and build on the progress you have made. 

 

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What kinds of problems do you see people for?

 

Dr. Lok sees people for a variety of concerns, including stress and anxiety, depression and other mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anger management.  She assists people with life transitions, such as those associated with moving, career changes, bereavement, and divorce recovery.  She helps clients find purpose in life, improve goal setting and achievement, and overcome low self-esteem.  She works with both individuals and couples on a range of relationship issues, such as improving communication and intimacy.  In addition, Dr. Lok specializes in working with military veterans and their families.  For more information, please visit the Military/Veterans page

 

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What types of treatment methods do you use?

 

Dr. Lok provides counseling that integrates techniques from various empirically-supported treatments.  She draws from the cognitive-behavioral model, which emphasizes the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behavior.  Dr. Lok teaches mindfulness and relaxation techniques, as well as communication skills and strategies for improving relationships.   She also incorporates elements of positive psychology, which includes concepts such as gratitude, hope, and forgiveness, as well as helping clients identify and use their strengths.

 

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Do you provide Christian counseling? 

 

For clients seeking faith-based interventions, Dr. Lok is able to provide Christian counseling that integrates psychological theory and techniques with spiritual disciplines and Biblical wisdom. 

 

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How long are the sessions?

 

Although the initial session may be longer, sessions are typically 45 minutes in length.  However, Dr. Lok offers flexibility to meet her clients’ needs.  Sessions may be extended or abbreviated or conducted by phone as appropriate. 

 

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How often should I expect to come to therapy?

 

Dr. Lok tailors her treatment approach to the individual.  Although weekly sessions are typical, you can be seen more or less often if necessary.  It is common to have more frequent sessions in the beginning and to gradually move sessions further apart (every 2-4 weeks) as treatment progresses. 

 

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How long will therapy take?

 

The therapy process varies greatly depending on the person and the nature of the issue(s) to be addressed.  Some people will achieve their goals in just a few sessions; others may continue counseling for several months or even years.  Even once the initial problem has been resolved, it is not uncommon for people to return to therapy periodically as different concerns pop up from time to time.

 

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Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?

 

Yes.  Dr. Lok offers day, evening, and weekend appointments.

 

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What age groups do you work with?

 

Dr. Lok works with adults (age 18 and up). 

 

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Do you prescribe medication?

 

No.  Dr. Lok is a licensed psychologist, not a psychiatrist/physician.  Dr. Lok uses treatment techniques that may serve either as an adjunct or as an alternative to medication. 

 

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Do you do psychological testing?

 

Although Dr. Lok may administer simple assessments to facilitate diagnosis and treatment, she does not offer full psychological testing batteries at this time. 

 

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Do you accept credit cards?

 

Yes.  Dr. Lok accepts MasterCard, Visa, and Discover. 

 

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Can I use my Health Savings/Flex Spending Account to pay for psychotherapy?

 

Yes.  Visits to a psychologist are eligible expenses. 

 

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How much is the military discount?

 

All military veterans and TRICARE beneficiaries receive a 20% discount on services.  In addition, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their family members may be eligible to receive services at further reduced cost.  Please call 817.404.7999 for more information.

 

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Do you take insurance?

 

Dr. Lok is an out-of-network provider.  This means that if you choose to use your insurance benefits, you will pay the full session fee and then file a claim with your insurance company to receive reimbursement directly from them. 

 

Please be advised that many insurance plans will not pay for therapy unless you are diagnosed with a mental disorder and will not cover couples counseling or counseling for problems of everyday living (e.g., job stress, life transitions, relationship issues).  If counseling is covered by your plan, the insurance company may require confidential information about your treatment.  This information, including your diagnosis, may become part of your permanent medical record and could affect future insurability and/or other things for which mental health diagnoses are taken into consideration.  For these reasons, many clients who have insurance benefits choose not to use them and prefer to pay privately.

 

Note to TRICARE beneficiaries: Dr. Lok is a certified non-network provider for TRICARE.  This means that her services are eligible for reimbursement should you choose to file. 

 

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Where is your office?

 

Dr. Lok’s office is on Southlake Boulevard (1709) in Southlake, Texas.  For a map and directions, please click here.

 

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Dr. April Lok is a licensed psychologist who offers individual and couples counseling, as well as group therapy. 

Her office is conveniently located between Dallas and Fort Worth to serve residents of Southlake, Keller, Colleyville, Grapevine, Flower Mound, and the surrounding areas. 

 

 211 E. Southlake Boulevard, Suite 115, Southlake, TX 76092