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 skills. We strongly believe that everyone can find benefits through therapy!
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a therapist? Which one do i need?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) and can prescribe medication. Psychiatrists focus primarily on treatment through psychotropic medication therapy. Psychiatric appointments are usually less frequent and shorter in duration.
A therapist/counselor is a licensed mental health provider who provides behavioral/talk therapy. These sessions are usually longer and more frequent. A therapist is not able to prescribe medication.
You are not required to see one before the other; however, 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 behavioral/talk therapy. These sessions are usually longer and more frequent. A therapist is not able to prescribe medication.
You are not required to see one before the other; however, 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?
While we do accept referrals from primary care doctors, a referral is NOT required to schedule an appointment.
do you take my insurance? How much will it cost?
We accept most major insurances! This includes but is not limited to the following: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Tricare, Aetna, Cigna, and United Health Care. The only way to be sure that your insurance is accepted and will cover your appointment is to contact your insurance company. They will be able to tell you what your specific plan covers.
While our administrative staff works hard to predict what your cost will be based on your insurance plan, we will not know for certain until we have billed the insurance for your session. If you contact your insurance company, they will let you know of any copay or coinsurance requirements. From this our staff will be able to give you an anticipated cost per session. This is not exact, and it is subject to change depending on your insurance.
While our administrative staff works hard to predict what your cost will be based on your insurance plan, we will not know for certain until we have billed the insurance for your session. If you contact your insurance company, they will let you know of any copay or coinsurance requirements. From this our staff will be able to give you an anticipated cost per session. This is not exact, and it is subject to change depending on your insurance.
What about medicaid and medicare?
Currently, none of our providers are networked with Medicaid. Our psychiatrists (Dr. Jones and Dr. Crocker) are in network with Medicare, but our therapists are not.
Do you treat children/adolescents? What ages do you see?
We do treat children/adolescents. Our providers vary in the age range of patients they see; however, we do not treat children under the age of 5 years old. Check out our provider's individual bios to learn more!
Are you accepting new patients?
We are currently accepting new patients for our counselors and our child/adolescent psychiatrist! All new patients are asked to provide information to make sure we are the best fit for you need and that we have the current availability to offer you the best level of care. See "What is the process to become a new patient?" to learn more.
What is the process to become a new patient?
If you have never been seen by anyone in our office or if you have not been seen in over a year, you will need to provide us with updated information about your situation.
Once you call our office, a member of our administrative staff will get your name, email, phone number, and insurance. Next, we will email you a link to complete our electronic paperwork in our secure patient portal. This can all be done from your smartphone or computer.
Upon receipt of this information, our Clinical Services Coordinator will have your intake reviewed by our providers. We will then contact you to schedule your first appointment. If for some reason we are unable to accept you as a patient, we will be happy to offer information on other offices that may be a better fit for your situation.
This process may sometimes take a few days to complete; however, you are free to contact us to check on the progress of your intake. +
Once you call our office, a member of our administrative staff will get your name, email, phone number, and insurance. Next, we will email you a link to complete our electronic paperwork in our secure patient portal. This can all be done from your smartphone or computer.
Upon receipt of this information, our Clinical Services Coordinator will have your intake reviewed by our providers. We will then contact you to schedule your first appointment. If for some reason we are unable to accept you as a patient, we will be happy to offer information on other offices that may be a better fit for your situation.
This process may sometimes take a few days to complete; however, you are free to contact us to check on the progress of your intake. +
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, we will only need one form completed in person!
We also 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 coordinator can identify which of our providers will best fit your needs!
We also 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 coordinator 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 can call our office for more information regarding contacting your provider!
Do you offer emergency appointments?
Unfortunately our facility is not equipped to offer emergency appointments. Our providers are frequently booked full at least a week in advance unless another patient cancels. We do offer a cancelation list for all providers and a client portal for our therapists that allows patients to check cancelations and request appointments as they become available.
In the event that you feel there is an emergency or an immediate risk of harm to yourself or someone else, our recommendation will always be to call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room/hospital. You can also contact Charleston/Dorchester County Mental Health Crisis Line at (843)-414-2350 for 24/7 assistance.
In the event that you feel there is an emergency or an immediate risk of harm to yourself or someone else, our recommendation will always be to call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room/hospital. You can also contact Charleston/Dorchester County Mental Health Crisis Line at (843)-414-2350 for 24/7 assistance.
What do i need to bring to my first appointment?
You will need a copy of your insurance card and your ID. If there are 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 10 minutes prior to the starting time. This ensures that our admin staff can get all the necessary information from you before your appointment time.
We suggest arriving at your first appointment 10 minutes prior to the starting time. This 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 providers require at least one parent/guardian to attend the initial session. This is so that you can meet with the therapist/psychiatrist as well as provide background information for your child. After the initial session, you can discuss any additional involvement with your specific provider.
i'm already seeing a therapist, can i also see a therapist at your office?
Unfortunately our therapists are not able to see a patient that is currently receiving therapy with another provider. This is due to the fact that insurance will not cover the services, as well it being an ethical issue.
The exception is if you are seeking a different type of treatment. For example, if you are seeing a therapist for individual therapy 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 type of therapy and another therapist for the other. Our clinical services coordinator 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 therapy 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 type of therapy and another therapist for the other. Our clinical services coordinator 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 coordinator may suggest a different provider depending on your intake or availability, but, if possible, we will schedule you with the provider of your choice.
Check out the 'Providers' tab on the website for individual bios that may help you determine if there is a provider you think would fit your needs best!
Check out the 'Providers' tab on the website for individual bios that may help you determine if there is a provider 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/psychiatrist?
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 with our staff directly to establish care. If the patient is a minor, the parents or legal guardians must be the one to call.
If there is a concern that you would like to voice to your family member's provider, our admin 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 admin 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 to not schedule family members or significant others with the same therapist. This ensures that both parties' confidentiality is maintained and there is not 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 while our adult psychiatrist sees patients for an initial hour-long session and follow up 30 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.
