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The thought of seeking counseling can be a scary hurdle to overcome. My aim is to demystify the counseling process and address common barriers that will help you develop more confidence about seeking therapeutic services for yourself or for your child.
The thought of seeking counseling can be a scary hurdle to overcome. My aim is to demystify the counseling process and address common barriers that will help you develop more confidence about seeking therapeutic services for yourself or for your child.
Is counseling right for me/my child?
Is counseling right for me/my child?
Yes! Counseling can be helpful to anyone who has ever struggled in life, felt down about themselves, or been unsure about the path they are headed on. Everyone has challenges and roadblocks in their life and counselors are there to help you navigate your problems. Counseling is a personalized service with the goal of improving your mental health, well being, and daily functioning. Just as you would go to a doctor when you feel physically sick, a mental health counselor can help when you feel mentally, emotionally, or socially unwell. Counselor ethics and training are rooted in a foundation of trust, non-judgement, and respect for all clients, so rest assured that the counselor you choose will constantly strive to be supportive and understanding of your issue.
How do I choose a counselor?
How do I choose a counselor?
Just like doctors, there are numerous counselors out there that work on specific needs or specialities and have different methods or approaches for counseling. Researching counselors and their therapeutic approaches will be important in determining if a counselor is a good fit for you. Therapy directories such as Psychology Today and Therapy Den offer you a fantastic way to browse counselors based on your needs and their specialities. These sites allow you to search your area for therapist based on numerous criteria from which populations they serve, what insurances they accept, age ranges, and issues they specialize in supporting.
What does the process of starting counseling look like?
What does the process of starting counseling look like?
While this will vary based on different counselors, I will share what you can expect the process to look like when working with me. The first step after you've researched a counselor you want to work with is to contact them directly for a consultation or to set up an appointment. During this initial phone call, the counselor or office manager will help you determine if the counselor has availablilty to take on new clients, what types of payment/insurance are accepted, and answer any lingering questions you may have. If you counselor has available appointments that match yours and their payment options work for you, you'll likely be ready to schedule your first appointment.
Your first appointment is called an intake and you will be required to complete some paperwork which varies among offices. Typically the paperwork will capture your demographic information, reason for seeking service, medical/mental health history, family/relationship information, and a payment agreement, whether that be through insurance or paying out of pocket, referred to as 'self pay'.
Your first session will also focus on you and your counseling getting to know each other and reviewing your informed consent and ensuring all intake documents are completed. One of the most critical pieces of the intake is the informed consent. This document outlines the rules of counseling including information about confidentiality, benefits and risks of therapy, HIPAA rights (privacy protections and client rights regarding personal health information), fees for counseling and other services, and policies of the practice regarding cancellations and other services.
After getting through all this paperwork, the next step for most counselors is to build rapport, identify goals, and begin developing a treatment plan to clearly outline your path for growth and healing.
What if I don't get along with my counselor?
What if I don't get along with my counselor?
One of the most important factors for a client's success in counseling is the relationship with their counselor. Simply put, if you do not have a good connection or relationship with your counselor, you should likely seek a new one. This can include not connecting personality-wise, not feeling understood or supported regarding your particular needs or issues, or even disliking their methods or approach to counseling. Some clients prefer a directive approach, filled with explicit guidance, homework, and activities, while others may prefer an emotion-focused approach that involves more discussion about past events and experiences. There are numerous approaches on that spectrum.
Counselors are human, and we understand that not all clients will be an ideal match, so changing counselors is relatively common in the field. Most importantly, communicating these concerns with your current counselor as soon as you have them is an important step in determining if you should continue with them or seek a new counselor. In short, you are not permanently stuck with a counselor once you start, and I encourage you to seek out a counselor you genuinely enjoy and connect with.
Is everything said in counseling confidential?
Is everything said in counseling confidential?
Confidentiality and privacy are vital for the development of a safe and trusting environment for all clients. Everything discussed with your counselor will be kept private with a few exceptions. These exceptions include risks of the safety of yourself or others such as suicide, intent to harm others, and self harm, any reasonable suspicion of any type of abuse or neglect of a child, elderly individual, or person with a disability, and finally whenever legally mandated. These limitations will be explained fully during your first session with your counselor. Rest assured that your confidential information and privacy are held in high regard by counselors and are enforced and emphasized by ethical guidelines and laws.
How often and how long will I need to attend counseling?
How often and how long will I need to attend counseling?
The frequency of your sessions will be determined by your needs and your counselors recommendation, but typically, sessions occur once per week. Initially, sessions may occur more frequently, but after progress is made, may shift to bi-weekly or even monthly sessions. As far as how long you will need counseling will largely depend on your individual goals and progress. Some clients may experience progress after a several sessions and some benefit from longer term support. You and your counselor will discuss appropriate timelines for your treatment. Ultimately, you have the final say in how long your counseling treatment lasts.
Will counseling be hard or uncomfortable?
Will counseling be hard or uncomfortable?
At times, yes, and this is completely normal. Your counselor will create a safe and supportive space that allows for strong emotions and deep personal matters to come to the forefront, which can be scary at first. Addressing these challenging emotions, experiences, and thoughts helps you learn ways to cope with and manage the fears and anxiety that accompany these issues. Often, when we face challenging emotions or things we fear, they become less powerful the more we shine a light on them. This process helps you develop greater self-awareness and coping skills to overcome issues that may have been limiting you.
How do I pay for counseling?
How do I pay for counseling?
Payment typically falls into two options: using in network health insurance benefits or paying out of pocket, also referred to as self-pay. Each option has their own benefits and limitations. With insurance, you typically find a counselor that is in-network by searching your insurance companies website. Using insurance can significantly reduce the expense of counseling for you, with a typical co-pay ranging from $20 to $40 per session*.
Self pay is another option to pay your counselor directly, which will cost more than it would with insurance, but self pay does offer some additional benefits, which are outlined in the next section.
A third option is out of network insurance billing; if your specific insurance plan covers offers out of network coverage, you may* be able to receive partial reimbursement for a portion of the counseling fees, with amounts varying based on the type of insurance plan and coverages. Typically, the client will need to pay the full counseling fee up front, then request what's referred to as a "superbill" from their counselor, and submit a claim to your insurance company.
*Please refer to your specific insurance plan to confirm coverages for mental health services and out of network benefits.
What are the benefits of paying out of pocket or self pay for counseling?
What are the benefits of paying out of pocket or self pay for counseling?
To be frank, dealing with insurance companies can be a pain for both clients and counselors. For one, dealing with mounds of paperwork, possible denials of service, and getting stuck on a phone for hours trying to resolve an issue are things that clients and counselors would like to avoid.
Privacy: Self-paying for counseling offers a higher level of privacy, as sensitive information remains between you and your counselor without involving third-party insurance providers. You also have more control over the counseling process and treatment decisions. Counselors are also required to apply a diagnosis to clients, regardless of the issue you're facing, in order to prove medical necessity when billing insurance companies. Simply put, insurance companies need to know your issue/diagnosis is significant enough to justify them paying your bill. This diagnosis becomes part of one's permanent medical records.
Flexible Options: With self pay, you can choose the frequency and duration of your sessions based on your needs and preferences, as opposed to insurance, which many will limit the number and duration of sessions that they are willing to pay for. You also get to make the important choice of who your counselor will be. You may be seeking a counselor with a speciality to meet your unique needs and if they are not in your insurance's network, their services will likely not be covered by your insurance.
Tailored Approach: Self-pay allows for a more personalized and flexible therapeutic experience, as counselors can focus solely on your individual needs without the limitations that insurance requirements may impose. Insurance companies will often require a treatment plan that reflects evidence-based treatments which specifically address the client's diagnosis, with a defined completion date.
What will it cost to work with Jon?
What will it cost to work with Jon?
For individual sessions, ranging from 53 to 60 minutes, the self pay rate is $140. If you are using insurance, you will likely pay a small copay each session out of pocket (typically ranging from $20-40), while your insurances covers the remainder of the fee. The intake session is billed at a rate of $165 as this session involves formulation of diagnosis (if applicable), goal formation, and creation of a treatment plan.
Please be sure to check the specific benefits and coverages of your insurance plan to verify co-pay or deductible amounts. This information varies greatly among insurance plans and your counselor does not know the ins and outs of every plan. Some insurers can take weeks to pay out claims submitted by the counselor and sometimes claims are denied after several sessions have been provided and billed for, which would leave you as the client stuck paying the full amount for all billed sessions. So please be sure to verify your insurance benefits.
Do you offer telehealth?
Do you offer telehealth?
I offer telehealth counseling services to provide flexible and convenient support for some children , young adults, and families. Telehealth allows you to receive counseling from the comfort of your own home, making it easier to fit sessions into your busy schedule and providing access to care, regardless of location.
Pros of Telehealth Counseling:
Convenience: No need to travel, saving time and reducing stress.
Accessibility: Ideal for those living in remote areas or with mobility issues.
Comfort: Sessions can take place in a familiar and comfortable environment.
Cons of Telehealth Counseling:
Technical Issues: Potential for internet connectivity problems.
Limited Communication and Connection: Working through a screen can be less personal and intimate than sitting face to face.
Privacy Concerns: Ensuring a private, quiet space for sessions can sometimes be challenging.
While telehealth is a great option for many, I generally recommend in-person sessions for children younger than 13 and for those with developmental, attention, or communication delays or challenges. Younger children often benefit more from face-to-face interaction, hands-on activities, and the structured environment that in-person counseling provides.
Telehealth can also be used on occasion in addition to in person services. For instance, it useful in situations where you or your child are unable to make it to the office but would still like to have a session for the week, such as in cases of transportation issues and minor illnesses. Essentially, we can be flexible in use of telehealth versus in person services.
Contact me today to discuss whether telehealth or in-person counseling is the best fit for you and your family.
Will I receive a diagnosis from counseling?
Will I receive a diagnosis from counseling?
It depends on a few factors—like your goals for counseling, the setting, and whether you're using insurance.
If you're paying privately (self-pay), a formal diagnosis is not required unless it’s helpful for guiding your treatment. Some clients are curious about diagnoses and want to better understand themselves. Others prefer to focus on their goals and experiences without attaching a specific label. Either approach is valid, and we’ll talk together about what makes the most sense for you.
If you're using health insurance, a diagnosis is typically required for your sessions to be covered. In those cases, I’ll work with you to understand your experiences and determine a diagnosis that fits—while also making sure it’s used thoughtfully and doesn’t define you.
A diagnosis can be a helpful tool, but it’s not the whole story. My focus is on seeing you as a whole person, not just a set of symptoms.
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