Frequently Asked Questions
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Why should I bring my child to counseling?
Being a parent is a tough job. You want what's best for your child but it's rarely a clear cut answer as to what that may be. Children often use their behavior to express feelings that they do not understand or may struggle to communicate. By bringing your child to counseling, you gain additional support and the help of a professional that will work with you and your child to find helpful options and solutions. This may include teaching your child ways to communicate there feelings in a healthy way, learning coping skills, identifying their feelings, and discovering triggers to their feelings and behaviors.
What should I expect during the first session?
The first session is generally an hour and involves completing paperwork and gathering information from you as the parent or guardian. There will be questions about your child's history, the issues the child has been experiencing at home and in other settings, and family history. Depending on the age of the child and the types of issues the child is experiencing, it may or may not be deemed appropriate to visit with the child and parent(s) separately. With teens, it is customary for the teen and parents to be interviewed separate to begin to establish rapport between the teen and counselor. Goals are set in the first or second sessions. Parents are generally involved in goal setting.
How long are regular counseling sessions?
Counseling sessions are set depending on the age and goals of the client. For younger children age three to five, sessions are generally 30 minutes long. For older children and teens, sessions are generally 45 to 50 minutes. Family sessions are usually 50 to 60 minutes.
How long will my child be in counseling?
The length of time a child will attend counseling is dependent on several things including the issues the child is experiencing, the severity of symptoms, the frequency of sessions, and the child's goals. The counselor and parent/guardian as well as the child (when age appropriate) will together discuss progress towards goals throughout the therapeutic process to decide when termination from counseling is appropriate.
How much does counseling cost?
Counseling sessions are $165 for the initial session and $140 for each 50 minute session there after for our fully licensed counselors. See Insurance and Fee Tab for a current list of insurances accepted. Depending on the insurance, there may be a co-payment due for each session. Amount of co-payments vary depending on insurance plan and carriers. Deductibles are required to be met by some insurance providers before the insurance will cover sessions. Prior to the first session, your insurance will be checked for benefits and to determine the out of pocket cost of sessions.
What is an LPC-Associate?
A Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-Associate) is a professional who has completed an approved masters program, related practicum experience and passed the National Counselor Exam in order to be approved for a temporary license as an LPC-Associate. The Associate must then complete a total of 3,000 hours under the supervision of a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) in order to apply to receive a full license as an LPC. LPC-Associate are able to perform much in the same way an LPC can while under the supervision of an LPC-S. For more information and background on the Associate check out the "Meet the Counselors" page listed under "Home" tab at the top of the page.
Will I have to find another provider when the Associate I am seeing completes their Associateship?
Not exactly. Associates have the ability to become part of the practice when their associateship is complete and/or continue seeing their current clients. All the current Associates are also part time so it is very likely that the client would complete treatment before the Associate has completed their associateship. If the client will need to transition, the associate will do everything possible to help the client find the right counselor to transition to and help ensure that the transition is as seamless as possible.
Why should I Private Pay instead of using Insurance for Counseling?
There are many reasons to consider Private Paying for mental health services as a benefit to you. A few reasons are listed below.
No Diagnosis Required!
Most insurance companies require a mental health diagnosis in order for the counselor to receive payment from the insurance company. This diagnosis then becomes part of the client's medical record. In some instances, certain diagnoses may affect future insurance and life insurance coverage, types of jobs that you may apply or be hired for, and your ability to serve in the military. When you choose to private pay for your counseling services, there is no requirement by the counselor to make a diagnosis in order for you to receive services.
No Limit to the Number of Session!
In addition to the requirement of a diagnosis, most insurance companies put a limit on the number of sessions a client is able to receive with in a year. This can negatively impact the progress you make in counseling if you are unable to complete treatment due to the limits placed on services. When you choose to private pay for counseling services, there is no limit to the number of sessions you can receive. It is left up to you and the counselor to determine when the maximum benefit from services is received and when discharge should occur.
Confidentiality at it's Highest!
Counselors are required by law to keep all records obtained through the counseling relationship with a client confidential. When a counselor bills an insurance company, the records are often required by the insurance company in order to be paid for services. As stated above, the confidential information in the counseling record becomes a part of your official medical record which can then be accessed by third parties in the future as allowed by the insurance company. When you private pay for counseling services, you are guaranteed that your counselor and yourself are the only two people who will know and have access to records. Aside from normal limits to confidentiality, therapy is completely confidential, without any third party being privy to information exchanged in sessions.
You can Keep Your Counselor!
Jobs and careers change and often times insurance types change as well. This generally requires a change of counselor due to the current provider not accepting the new insurance type. When you choose to private pay, this is no longer an issue. You can keep the same counselor as long as you like no matter what changes occur.
If you have additional questions not covered here, feel free to contact me on the Contact Us by filling out the online form or by e-mail at kellym@kmcounselingservices.com.
KM Counseling Services, PLLC
Working together with children, ADOLESCENTS, ADULTS, Couples and families towards a positive change