What are the benefits and typical outcomes of counseling?
Generally, counseling helps individuals to help themselves and improve their relationships by changing their feelings, thoughts, and/or behaviors. Most people experience improvement in the areas that brought them to counseling, however, there are also some risks. For example, counseling could open up new levels of awareness that may cause discomfort. Although no one can guarantee the outcome of therapy, your commitment to the process will greatly affect the nature and amount of change made.
For how long should I expect to see a counselor?
The duration of therapy varies considerably, as it is such an individual process, and is based on each client’s needs and personal goals. Many conditions do not require a lot of time to treat, and clients begin to see progress rather quickly, while others may require considerably more time. You should seek assistance as soon as possible for the best outcome, and plan to be an active participant in your treatment.
How often should I meet with my counselor?
Counseling is a client directed process. Sessions can be scheduled weekly, monthly, or as needed, depending on the client’s goals and needs. Some clients find they can make the changes they want with intermittent frequency. Your therapist can help guide in you determining what works best for you.
What does it take to get started?
Just a quick phone call to our office. We will be happy to offer a brief phone consultation – at no charge – and after discussing your objectives can schedule an appointment in our office. See the resources page for new patient forms.
Is session information kept confidential?
We understand that the information you share in counseling can be very personal. All clients will be presented with an Authorization for Release of Confidential Information. We will only disclose your confidential information to those you’ve identified on that form, unless such release is otherwise authorized or required by law. For example, the law may require your counselor to disclose confidential information to a legal authority if there is reason to believe that a child has been abused or neglected, or if you appear to be in danger of harming yourself or others.
What if I have an emergency right now?
If you find yourself in the midst of an emergency, please immediately call 9-1-1. If you have an urgent situation, call our office, and we will do our very best to see you as soon as possible.
Will you speak to my church or community group?
We value community participation and welcome the opportunity to speak to groups about mental health or relationship issues, or to share a presentation on communication skills or other topics that may be of interest to your organization. Give us a call or email us to discuss what may be most relevant and interesting for your organization.
What are the charges for counseling?
Standard fees range from $90 to $200 per session depending on the service provided, and the licensure of the counselor. For doctoral (PhD) level clinicians, the fee for a 50-minute session is $200. For Masters level clinicians, the fee for an initial 50-minute assessment is $150.00, and an additional 50-minute counseling session is $130.00. The fee for a 50-minute counseling session with an LPC-Associate is $90.00. Additional time will be charged in one-half hour increments.
We take payments at the beginning of each session, in the form of cash, checks, and credit cards. As a practice, we do not participate in any health insurance plans. However, we can provide you with a receipt to file on your own with your insurance plan.
What if I need to cancel an appointment?
If you need to change or cancel an appointment, as a courtesy to your counselor and the office, please notify us at least 24 hours in advance, and we’ll be happy to reschedule for a more convenient time. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice, or failing to show up for an appointment, will incur a charge of the current session fee, except of course in emergency situations.