YOUR FIRST VISIT
​
When should I expect a response to an inquiry for services?
Because we are often in sessions when at the office it is difficult to answer calls immediately. It is likely that you will be directed to leave a message. You can expect a return call within 48-72 hours of your call. Most calls are returned Monday through Thursday; 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00am - 4:00p.m. Email inquiries are monitored regularly; please allow 24-48 hours for a response.
What to Expect
Upon scheduling your first or intake session, you will be emailed a link to our client portal to provide basic information about yourself, and complete and sign consent forms. Please note that these forms MUST be completed at 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment time or the session may need to be rescheduled. As well, you will be asked to bring the following to your first session:
-
Your insurance card(s)
-
Photo identification
-
Payment for copay, deductible, co-insurance (Cash, Check, Debit/Credit Card)
Intake Session
The purpose of the Intake:
-
To obtain specific information about the client's needs.
-
To determine if therapy is medically necessary.
-
If medically necessary, to offer a mental health diagnosis based on the information provided to justify the need for treatment.
-
To determine if the therapist is the appropriate fit based on the client's presenting needs and concerns.
-
Allow the client the opportunity to assess his/her comfort with the assigned therapist.
Generally, Intake Sessions occur in one meeting. However, there are instances where the Intake may extend over a few sessions. This most often occurs when the presenting issues are severe or the therapist feels he/she needs more time to offer diagnostic impressions and treatment recommendations. Intake Sessions are typically 55-60 minutes; however, this time may be extended depending on the presenting concerns.
​
Ongoing Treatment
After the completion of the Intake, the client and therapist will work together to establish a plan for treatment. This plan identifies specific goals that the client would like to work toward in therapy. A treatment plan assists with guiding treatment and offers a means to measure success in the achievement of treatment goals.
​
Generally, therapy sessions will be scheduled on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. You and your therapist will determine the frequency of your sessions based on your identified needs and concerns. Our front office and/or your therapist will handle scheduling and will work with you to schedule sessions on a regular basis. Individual and family sessions are typically
50 - 60 minutes in duration. Service fees may apply for sessions lasting longer than 60 minutes.
​
In order to maximize the potential benefits of psychotherapy, it is important that you attend your sessions as scheduled. Inconsistent attendance and long absences may prove to be counterproductive to the treatment process. We ask that you provide at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel your session. A service charge of $75.00 may be applied to cancelations received less than 24 hours in advance of the session time (this fee is not covered by insurance). Payment of this service charge will be required at your next scheduled session.
​
Discharge from Services
There is no magic number of sessions or time in therapy when it comes to determining a client's readiness for discharge from services. Generally, a client is discharged from counseling upon successful achievement of treatment goals and demonstrated maintenance of new skills, healthier functioning, and/or effective coping strategies. Discharge is a collaborative decision between the clinician and client (and client's support systems, when appropriate). Readiness for discharge is subjective to the individual client and based on his/her measured success throughout the course of treatment.