Why Prism Wellness
Choosing a therapist is a strange kind of decision. You are asked to pick someone to be honest with before you have any way of knowing whether you can be. Here is what we are actually like, so the choice is a little less blind.
When white light passes through a prism it separates into a spectrum. That is the whole idea behind the name. People arrive with one stuck view of themselves and what is possible, and good therapy separates that single beam into something with more range in it.
We work with a whole person, not a diagnosis
A diagnosis can be useful. It gets you the right treatment and, often, coverage for it. But it is a description of a pattern, not a description of you, and it makes a poor foundation for a working relationship.
We would rather get to know how you actually live. What you are carrying, what you are good at, who is in your corner, what you have already tried and why it did not hold. Then we agree on specific steps together. That might mean challenging thought patterns that stopped serving you, working through trauma that never got processed, learning mindfulness or grounding skills, or coordinating with your physician or dietitian so the parts of your care talk to each other.
Why you might feel stuck
A common question in a first session is some version of "why can't I just get past this?"
When your brain meets something traumatic or simply too much, protective responses fire automatically to get you through it. Those same responses can then block the event from being fully processed. The memory does not get filed as a clear, coherent story. It stays as emotions, body sensations, changes in breathing or heart rate, tensing, bracing, collapsing, or just feeling overwhelmed (Ogden, Minton and Pain, 2006).
Which is why willpower and good advice tend not to touch it. You are not failing to try hard enough. The material was never filed properly in the first place, and that is a specific problem with specific treatments, including EMDR and trauma therapy.
What we are like to work with
Intensively trained, deliberately unstuffy
Our clinicians hold advanced training in trauma treatment and specialized modalities. None of that requires us to be formal with you. Down to earth is the house style.
You are the expert on your life
Our job is to educate and equip, not to hand down verdicts. You know your history and your constraints better than we ever will.
Matched, not assigned
Tori, our care coordinator, listens to what is going on before pairing you with a clinician whose training fits it. You are not routed to whoever has a gap.
Honest about fit
If we are not the right practice for you, we will say so early and do what we can to connect you with someone who is. That is a better outcome than a polite six weeks going nowhere.
If you are in a bad place right now rather than researching for later, please do not wait on a consultation slot.
In their words
Three notes from people who have worked with us, shared with their permission.
"We feel so lucky to have found Prism Wellness. The support, conversation and insight we have received have helped our family in more ways than I have ability to put into words. This practice cares about you, works with you and can make therapy a wonderful experience, even if it is your first time seeking help in this area. If you want knowledgeable, understanding, approachable therapy, our family can highly recommend you call Prism Wellness. Thank you Lesley and team!"
L.
"Lesley and I have been working together for about 5 years, and to say that she is the best therapist I have ever had is seriously understating. Finding a therapist you can truly trust and rely on is so incredibly hard, but she gives her all and then some. She has gone above her call to duty more times than I could count, whether it was checking on me after business hours, researching facilities that best suited my needs, or connecting me with resources within my community. She takes the time to help me understand what I'm feeling and reasons why I might be feeling that way in a way I can understand."
C.
"I really didn't want to start therapy, but I knew I had to change something. My doctor recommended I reached out to Prism. The website made me feel less scared, although I was really anxious for my first session. My therapist was really supportive and I didn't feel like I had to tell her everything or have it 'figured out.' I'm really happy that I started to do the work."
R.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which therapist is right for me?
You do not have to work that out on your own. Tori, our care coordinator, asks what is going on and what you are looking for, then matches you to the clinician whose training fits. You then meet that therapist for a free 10-minute consultation before committing to anything.
What if the therapist is not a good fit?
Tell us. Fit matters more than almost anything else in whether therapy works, and it is not rude to say it is not there. We will move you to someone else in the practice, or help you find someone outside it if that serves you better.
Do you offer in person and online sessions?
Both. We see clients in person at our Cary office and by secure telehealth anywhere in North Carolina. Many people mix the two depending on the week.
Do you take my insurance?
We are in network with Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Tricare and United. Tricare and United plans are seen by fully licensed therapists only. Tori will confirm your coverage before your first session.
Come and meet us
A free 10-minute consultation is a low pressure way to hear how someone sounds before you decide anything. No history required, no commitment attached.
113 Edinburgh South Drive, Suite 130, Cary, NC 27511
