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Orchard Counseling and Education was formed in 2007 to help individuals and couples address concerns about sexuality, intimacy, and relationships through affirming, empowering, strengths-based counseling and psychotherapy. We also strengthen our community through educational programs around these issues for both professional and lay audiences.
About Counseling
For some people, the prospect of entering into counseling or psychotherapy can be anxiety provoking. While psychotherapy is increasingly common, some people are still stuck with the notion that you have to be mentally ill, or have a weak character to "need" therapy. But millions of healthy people who have benefitted from counseling would disagree.
In reality, everybody can use some assistance, insight, or guidance sometimes. Just as we all have strengths, we also have "blind spots"—unhelpful and unproductive patterns of thinking, behaving, and relating to others that we don't even notice. At Orchard Counseling, psychotherapy is an affirming, collaborative process that seeks to understand how we got stuck in these patterns, and then use that knowledge to develop new strategies, new options, and constructive solutions to your concerns.
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Our Clinical Philosophy
Every individual and relationship is unique. Each of us comes to therapy with our own set of values, beliefs, experiences, challenges, and strengths. As a result, an approach that may be transformational for one person may not work for another. That's why we take time to get to know you and carefully assess your concerns. The best psychotherapy is approached as a partnership. But there are some beliefs about counseling that we hold to be true for everyone:
- We believe that life presents challenges to everyone, and nobody's perfect. Even problems that feel truly overwhelming don't make you "defective." Everyone needs help sometimes.
- Second, we believe in a strengths-based approach. That means that there's nothing wrong-with-you that what's right-with-you can't fix. A strengths-based approach helps you use the skills and strengths you already have to create change in the areas where you feel stuck.
- Third, we believe in empowerment, not criticism. Feeling miserable and ashamed about bad choices rarely helps you make better ones. Instead, it's important to understand your struggle as a sincere effort to get to something positive—even when the results haven't been so positive in the past. We are committed to finding interventions that are empowering, non-shaming, and that leverage your strongest attributes to create the change you want in your life.
- Finally, we recognize that some situations require an interdisciplinary approach. In cases where medical, physical therapy, or other intervention is also needed, we will work closely with your physician or other healthcare providers, creating a care team that is collaboratively focused on your progress.
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About Education
Our approach to education is a lot like our approach to counseling. We believe that everyone brings important experience and knowledge to the table, but that everyone can also enhance their lives and relationships by learning more. We focus on sexuality, intimacy, and relationships, and in these areas, knowledge really is power. Our educational programs offer tools to help you to grow, to develop your potential, and to build a life that is vital and fulfilling.
We provide presentations and interactive educational experiences that not only inform, but also challenge participants to examine their values and beliefs in a safe, supportive environment.
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About Confidentiality
The issues discussed in therapy are often of the most deeply personal nature. Therefore, everything you share with us will remain strictly confidential, except where we are obligated by law to disclose it. Those situations are exceedingly rare, and include:
- If we believe you are at imminent risk to commit homicide against an identified person, we have a legal duty to warn the victim, and notify the police.
- If we believe you are at imminent risk to commit suicide, we are legally obligated to help you obtain crisis services.
- If we believe you are at imminent risk to abuse a child, a vulnerable dependent or elder, we have a legal obligation to inform protective services.
- If we are compelled by subpoena to testify in court.
Beyond these very specific situations, anything you disclose in therapy will remain private, unless you give us informed, written consent to disclose it to others.
You and your information will be treated with respect.
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About Dr. Schwartz
David Dean Schwartz, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., M.S.W., M.Ed.
Dr. David Schwartz has been practicing for almost 20 years, founding Orchard Counseling and Education in 2007. He holds a PhD in Human Sexuality (Clinical Sexology), as well as Masters degrees in both Human Sexuality Education and Clinical Social Work. He is licensed to provide psychotherapy in Pennsylvania and Delaware, and registered to provide telehealth psychotherapy in Florida (under PA licensure). Dr. Schwartz is committed to leveraging the strengths that clients bring to help dismantle shame, and empower clients to create meaning, joy, and pleasure in their lives and relationships.
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Our Location
We are eager to hear from you, whether to set up a consultation, answer questions about counseling or classes, or just to hear your feedback about our programs and website.
With increasing demand for remote and virtual therapy, we will be 100% telehealth as of September 1, 2024.
Orchard Counseling and Education
Voice 215.392.4636
email contactus@orchardcounseling.com
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Fees
As of September 1, 2024, our counseling fees for new clients are $180 for individuals and $200 for couples. Most individual and couples sessions are 50 minutes in length. Although we do not bill insurance directly, you may be eligible for out-of-network reimbursement. We will be happy to provide you with a statement of professional services, but you should check with your insurance provider for details of your coverage. In some cases, we may be able to offer a sliding scale fee for clients who demonstrate financial need.
Educational programs, groups, and presentations are priced individually, please contact us by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page.
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