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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-Associates are able to perform much in the same way an LPC can while under the supervision of an LPC-S. LPC-Associates were formally known as "LPC-Interns" up until the recent change in 2020.
- 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.
Why 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
**All LPC-Associates are under the Supervision of Kelly Martin, LPC-S. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kelly Martin under the Contact Us Tab or at the phone number listed below.**
By scheduling an appointment, you are agreeing to the $70 fee for all individual sessions., $100 for couples sessions and $120 for family sessions. If you do not show for your appointment or cancel your appointment within less than 24 hours, you agree to the charge of $75 to your card on file. All appointments will be confirmed by the next business day.
KM Counseling Services, PLLC is expanding to now offer an additional service of individual, couples and family counseling sessions for a reduced private pay fee with a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate. The Reduced Private Pay fee for individual sessions with LPC-Associate is $80.00 for the initial Intake Session and $70.00 for each session thereafter. For more information about our LPC-Associate, check out the Meet the Counselors tab at the top of the page.
OTHER SERVICES OFFERED BY LPC - Associate INCLUDE
- COUPLES/MARRIAGE THERAPY (two clients in session)
$100.00 per Session
- FAMILY THERAPY (three or more clients in session)
$120.00 per Session
**The Associate will be a part of the practice for a minimum of two years with the option of transition to another counselor or continued care with the Associate after the completion of their associateship.**
Read below for more information on the unique benefits of seeing an LPC-Associate!
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LPC-Associates Now Offering Reduced Fee Private Pay Sessions
KM Counseling Services, PLLC