Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Career Counseling
Click on a question below

1. What are some common problems that Delaware Valley Career Solutions helps its clients resolve?
2. How does the career counseling process work?
3. How long does the process take?
4. How often would we meet?
5. For in-person meetings, where are sessions held?
6. What about telephone-based work?
7. If I am in a job search, does Delaware Valley Career Solutions offer placement?
   Will you introduce me to potential employers?
8. Will you write my résumé?
9. Are our sessions confidential?
10. Will health insurance cover my career counseling sessions with you?
11. Can I deduct the costs of career counseling on my tax returns?
12. What if I schedule a session and then need to reschedule or cancel?
13. Are your services guaranteed?
14. I’d like to schedule an initial meeting. How long should I expect to wait for an appointment?
15. Can we talk first so I can see if we can work well together?
16. I may want to become a client.  What do I do first?

Answers

1. What are some common problem situations that Delaware Valley Career Solutions helps its clients resolve?
   • You are graduating from high school or college and are not sure what to do next.
   • You need help aligning your career with changes in your life situation (e.g., dealing with family demands, being newly divorced, an “empty nester” or thinking about retirement).
   • You believe that “baggage” from your childhood (such as a challenging relationship with a parent, early trauma, or low self-confidence) holds you back from being as successful as you would like to be, and it’s time to break away from your past.
   • You have been laid off and need to figure out how to get a job in a challenging economy.
   • You are a successful professional who seeks higher levels of reward and recognition at work
   • You have just gotten a big promotion (or are starting a new job) and want to make sure the transition into your new role goes smoothly and successfully.
   • You need to figure out how to work more effectively with a difficult boss or coworker.
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2. How does the career counseling process work?

   Many people considering career counseling are not sure what to expect. Career counseling has some things in common with seeking help from physician. You visit a physician when you are not feeling quite right and you are not sure what to do about it. The medical doctor asks you to describe what is bothering you in your own words and asks you some questions. The doctor may even order some tests to get more information. Ultimately, you leave with a plan for how to remedy what ails you. You follow the plan, which may include activities such as taking medication or making a change in lifestyle.

   In a similar way, you seek career counseling when you feel stuck about which direction to take for your career or if you want to make a better career plan, but you haven’t been able to do this on your own. Most people in situations like these realize that they would benefit from working with someone who is very skilled and experienced in helping people to make career plans and decisions.

   The most effective way to help people with career concerns is to work together to develop a common understanding of the facts.  The initial interview will help to uncover important information about your situation.  However, it is often necessary to use diagnostic and educational tools that include inventories, analytical exercises, role-playing, selective readings, and videos.  Finally, we share perspectives that we have gained through specialized training and years of experience so that we can develop a personalized plan to create effective solutions to your problems.

   We also recognize that people often find it difficult to implement change. This occurs even when they are excited about the plan and have the best of intentions. It is at times like this when a mentor/coach can help you get unstuck and take steps towards accomplishing your goals.  We often do this by breaking things down into smaller steps, arranging to touch base more frequently, rehearsing how to most effectively present yourself in an interview, or any number of other techniques at our disposal so you can keep moving forward.  Ultimately, the aim of career counseling is to help you achieve your goals while acquiring the understanding, skills, pride and confidence that can serve as catalysts for future success.
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3. How long does the process take?

   Since services are completely customized to meet individual client needs, the answer to this question depends on your circumstances, how much time you have to work on your part of the process, and your individual characteristics.  Typically, career counseling spans three to six sessions. However, some people’s circumstances may require additional time. This is most likely the case when someone is in a highly competitive field, during tough economic times, or when new skills simply take more time to acquire.

   Finally, some clients choose to work over longer periods of time to solidify gains and receive support for handling ongoing challenges.  In short, while most people require a limited number of visits, how long we work together depends on your needs. After our initial meeting, we can give you a much better assessment of how long counseling is likely to last. However, as we work together, we may agree that either more or less time is required.
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4. How often would we meet?

   That is also flexible, depending on your sense of urgency and availability. We try as much as possible to match the rhythm of our clients in scheduling-- balancing the need for some time between meetings to do research or to reflect on some key insight, and the need to maintain momentum. Initially, we see most counseling clients weekly or every two weeks.
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5. For in-person meetings, where are sessions held?

   Clients can choose to be seen in one of two offices: near Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia or in Yardley (Bucks County), PA.
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6. What about telephone-based work?

   With peoples’ busy schedules and geographic spread, counseling by telephone can be an appealing option. However, there are advantages to face-to-face consultations that make this the desired choice whenever possible.

   Telephone-based counseling can be effective under these conditions: 1) for brief consultation on urgent, specific situations; 2) for clients where a face-to-face relationship has already been established; or 3) for clients who reside in a geographic location where suitable career development professionals are not available.  In these situations, telephone sessions can be productive and convenient. We will review situations on a case-by-case basis and make recommendations regarding the advisability of telephone vs. in-person services.
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7. If I am in a job search, does Delaware Valley Career Solutions offer placement?
   Will you introduce me to potential employers?

   Delaware Valley Career Solutions can provide information on where to find appropriate recruiters to support your career aspirations. In addition, we can help you develop strong self-marketing skills so you can make a positive impression on recruiters and potential employers.

   We are not an executive search firm or an employment agency.
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8. Will you write my résumé?

   My role could better be described as coach. When working on a résumé is a part of our work together, we will review your experiences, skills, and accomplishments to capture your key “selling points.” Together, we will create a strategy for how to present your experience concisely and effectively. Once you are ready to write your résumé, we can provide you with samples to make this easier for you. We will help with minor editing and give you suggestions for improving or better individualizing your résumé. If you decide you would like additional help creating or revising your résumé, we will help you identify a professional résumé writer.
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9. Are our sessions confidential?

   Yes, except for a few exceptions mandated by law or prior agreement, the content of our sessions is confidential.
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10. Will health insurance cover my career counseling sessions with you?

    Unfortunately, health insurance does not cover career counseling sessions. However, depending on the nature of your concerns and your insurance coverage, some of our work together may be reimbursable. It is common for individuals seeking career counseling to be struggling with stress-related experiences of anxiety, and depressed mood and thinking.  In these instances, supportive counseling is often helpful.

    Because Dr. Gronsky is a licensed psychologist, your health plan may reimburse you for this type of mental health-related service to the extent it considers our work psychotherapy.

    If we discover that reimbursement is an option, Dr. Gronsky will provide you with appropriate receipts that you may submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
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11. Can I deduct the costs of career counseling on my tax returns?

    Fees paid for career counseling may be deductible. However, since deductibility of the cost of career counseling depends on a number of criteria, including revisions and interpretations of tax code and new tax laws, we advise you to consult with a tax professional before deciding whether or how to deduct some or all your career counseling and job search expenses.
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12. What if I schedule a session and then need to reschedule or cancel?

    Twenty-four hours advance notice is required if you need to reschedule or cancel a session. If you are unable to provide this, you will be charged full fee for the time that was set aside for you.
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13. Are your services guaranteed?

    It is impossible to guarantee the outcome of services because some factors of success are not under our control. For example, each client will have different levels of motivation, and the state of the economy will affect your ability to meet your particular goals.  However, your satisfaction with the quality of the services you receive is of utmost importance.  If you have ever have concerns about this for whatever reason, please communicate them as soon as possible so we can resolve the situation.
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14. I'd like to schedule an initial meeting. How long should I expect to wait for an appointment?

    Every effort will be made to schedule initial appointments within 48 to 72 hours. However, availability will depend on various factors, including the time of year and respective schedules. Planning ahead and maintaining some flexibility in your schedule will allow us to start our work sooner.
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15. Can we talk first so I can see if we can work well together?

    Once you contact DVCS, of course, we are happy to offer all prospective clients an opportunity to discuss your situation and ask any additional questions so you can evaluate whether our services are a good fit for your needs.
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16. I may want to become a client. What do I do first?

    Please call 215/321-6550 or send an email to
    bgronsky@delawarevalleycareersolutions.com to schedule an appointment.
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Delaware Valley Career Solutions serves the online community, as well as communities in the metropolitan Philadelphia area, including Bucks County, Montgomery County, Delaware County, Chester County, Burlington County, Camden County, Mercer County and Hunterdon County

Providing career counseling, career assessments, job search, coaching; outplacement support; help with career changes, career and retirement transitions, career management, and career planning.

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