Frequently Asked Questions
Who Goes to therapy? How do i know if i need therapy?
The catalyst for starting therapy is as unique and diverse as the individuals who seek it! Depending on the specific situation, therapy can provide help in the form of support, information, guidance, self-knowledge and/or the space to learn and practice new tools. We strongly believe that everyone can find benefits in therapy!
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a therapist? which one do i need?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) and has the ability to prescribe medication. They focus primarily on treatment through psychotropic medication therapy. These appointments will usually be less frequent and shorter.
A therapist/counselor is a licensed mental health provider who provides talk therapy. These sessions are usually longer and more frequent. A therapist is not able to prescribe medication.
It is not required to see one before the other, although if you have not seen a mental health provider in the past, we usually recommend starting with a therapist who can help determine the best treatment plan.
A therapist/counselor is a licensed mental health provider who provides talk therapy. These sessions are usually longer and more frequent. A therapist is not able to prescribe medication.
It is not required to see one before the other, although if you have not seen a mental health provider in the past, we usually recommend starting with a therapist who can help determine the best treatment plan.
Do i need a referral to schedule an appointment?
We do accept referrals from primary care doctors although it is NOT required to be seen.
do you take my insurance? how much will it cost?
We take most major insurance companies! This includes Blue Cross Blue Shield, Tricare, Aetna, Cigna, PHCS, and United Healthcare. The only way to be sure that your insurance is accepted and will cover mental health is to contact your insurance company directly. They will be able to tell you what your specific plan covers.
While our admin staff works hard to predict what your cost will be based on your insurance plan, we will not know for sure until we have billed the insurance for a session. If you contact your insurance company, they will be able to let you know if there is a copay or deductible required for mental health. From there our admin staff will be able to give you an anticipated cost. This is not exact and is subject to change depending on how the insurance pays for the session.
While our admin staff works hard to predict what your cost will be based on your insurance plan, we will not know for sure until we have billed the insurance for a session. If you contact your insurance company, they will be able to let you know if there is a copay or deductible required for mental health. From there our admin staff will be able to give you an anticipated cost. This is not exact and is subject to change depending on how the insurance pays for the session.
what about medicaid and medicare?
Currently none of our providers are in network with Medicaid. Our child/adolescent psychiatrists Dr. Jones is in network with Medicare but our therapists are not.
do you treat children/adolescents? What ages do you see?
We do! Our providers vary in the age range of patients they see. We do not see children under 5 years old. Check out our provider’s individual bio’s to learn more!
Are you ACCEPTING new patients?
Yes! We are currently accepting new patients for our counselors and child/adolescent psychiatrist.
All new patient’s are evaluated to make sure we will be the best fit for what you need and that we have the availability to offer the best level of care. See “What is the process to become a new patient” for more information!
All new patient’s are evaluated to make sure we will be the best fit for what you need and that we have the availability to offer the best level of care. See “What is the process to become a new patient” for more information!
What is the process to become a new patient?
If you have not been seen by anyone at our office before, or if you have not been seen in over a year, we will need updated paperwork completed.
Once you leave a message with our office, a member of our admin staff will reach out to get your name, email, phone number, and insurance and have you answer a few questions regarding what kind of care you are seeking. We will then email you a link to complete our paperwork from our secure patient portal. We get a notification when those forms are completed, and our clinical services coordinators will have your intake reviewed by our providers and contact you to schedule your first appointment!
Once you leave a message with our office, a member of our admin staff will reach out to get your name, email, phone number, and insurance and have you answer a few questions regarding what kind of care you are seeking. We will then email you a link to complete our paperwork from our secure patient portal. We get a notification when those forms are completed, and our clinical services coordinators will have your intake reviewed by our providers and contact you to schedule your first appointment!
why do i have to fill out paperwork before i get an appointment?
We require our new patients to complete paperwork for a few reasons. We have you electronically sign our practice policies and informed consent documents to minimize the wait time prior to your initial appointment. This way when you arrive for your first appointment you will be ready to be seen!
We require an intake form to be completed to make sure that we are the best facility to treat your specific needs, and so that our clinical services coordinators can identify which of our providers will best fit your needs!
We require an intake form to be completed to make sure that we are the best facility to treat your specific needs, and so that our clinical services coordinators can identify which of our providers will best fit your needs!
do you accept walk-in PATIENTS?
We do not accept walk-in patients. Our providers keep full schedules and usually will be unable to speak with you without an appointment. You may contact our office for more information regarding contacting your provider.
do you offer emergency appointments?
Our facility is not equipped to offer emergency appointments. Our providers are frequently fully booked. We do offer a cancellation list for all providers and a client portal for our therapists that allows patients to check cancellations as they become available.
In the event that you feel there is an emergency or an immediate harm to yourself or someone else, our recommendation will always be to call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room/hospital.
In the event that you feel there is an emergency or an immediate harm to yourself or someone else, our recommendation will always be to call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room/hospital.
What do i need to bring to my first appointment?
You will need a copy of your insurance card and your ID. If there is any supplemental information/documents that you would like to share with your provider, you can bring those as well. There is also an option on our patient portal to upload any documents electronically, these go directly into your chart for your provider to view!
We suggest arriving at your first appointment approximately 10 minutes prior to the start time. This just ensures that our admin staff can get all the necessary information from you before your appointment time.
We suggest arriving at your first appointment approximately 10 minutes prior to the start time. This just ensures that our admin staff can get all the necessary information from you before your appointment time.
As a parent, will I be required to come to my child’s appointments?
If your child is a minor, our therapists require at least one parent/guardian to attend the initial session. This is so that you can meet with the therapist as well as provide background information for your child. After the initial session, you can discuss any protentional involvement with your specific therapist.
I’m already seeing a therapist, can i also see a therapist at your office?
Our therapists are not able to see a patient that is currently receiving therapy with another provider. Insurance will not cover the cost and it is unethical to do so.
The exception is if you are seeking a different type of treatment. For example, if you are seeing a therapist for individual sessions and would like to also see a therapist for marriage/family counseling. If that is the case, you are welcome to see one of our therapists for one and another therapist for the other. Our staff will be able to help you determine how this relates to your specific needs!
The exception is if you are seeking a different type of treatment. For example, if you are seeing a therapist for individual sessions and would like to also see a therapist for marriage/family counseling. If that is the case, you are welcome to see one of our therapists for one and another therapist for the other. Our staff will be able to help you determine how this relates to your specific needs!
Can I choose which provider i see?
Of course! If there is a provider you have been referred to, or if you have specific requests regarding your provider, our staff will always prioritize your choice. Our clinical services coordinators may suggest a different provider depending on your intake or availability. However, we will schedule you with the provider of your choice if possible.
Check out the ‘Provider’ tab on the website for individual bios that may help you determine if there is a person you think would fit your needs best!
Check out the ‘Provider’ tab on the website for individual bios that may help you determine if there is a person you think would fit your needs best!
Can I get an appointment for my significant other/family member? Can I talk to my family member’s therapist?
In order to provide confidentiality for all patients, we do not allow family members or significant others to make appointments for someone else. We ask that the individual seeking treatment speak to our staff directly to establish care.
If there is a concern that you would like to voice to your family member’s provider, our staff is happy to take down the information and pass it along to the provider.
We are not able to confirm that someone is a patient at our office, and we cannot give out any information to anyone without a signed release on file.
If there is a concern that you would like to voice to your family member’s provider, our staff is happy to take down the information and pass it along to the provider.
We are not able to confirm that someone is a patient at our office, and we cannot give out any information to anyone without a signed release on file.
Can my family member/sibling/significant other see the same therapist as me?
We prefer not to schedule family members or significant others with the same therapist. This ensures that both parties' confidentiality is maintained and there is no conflict of interest. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis at the therapist’s discretion. Your specific therapist will be happy to answer any questions you may have or recommend an alternative provider for your family member.
How does confidentiality work?
Our priority is our patient’s confidentiality and as such all our staff are trained in HIPAA compliance. Anything said during a session is considered confidential and will not be shared with anyone without your permission.
However, our providers are mandated reporters and are legally required to report abuse or neglect when they receive information giving them reason to believe that a child’s physical or mental health has been, or may be, adversely affected by abuse or neglect. Your provider can explain what this means for your specific situation and answer any further questions.
However, our providers are mandated reporters and are legally required to report abuse or neglect when they receive information giving them reason to believe that a child’s physical or mental health has been, or may be, adversely affected by abuse or neglect. Your provider can explain what this means for your specific situation and answer any further questions.
How long is a session? How frequently will i be seen?
Our therapists provide 45-minute sessions. Our child psychiatrist sees patients for an initial 30-minute session and follow up 15-minute sessions.
The frequency of follow up appointments is something that will be determined during your first session with your provider. This varies depending on your schedule, the provider’s availability, and your individual needs.
The frequency of follow up appointments is something that will be determined during your first session with your provider. This varies depending on your schedule, the provider’s availability, and your individual needs.
Still have a question? Contact our admin staff via the contact form here.
