Discover Your Inner Power to Thrive. (sm)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YOU have the power to TRANSFORM your life...
regardless of your current circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
"How does this all work?"
Let's face it:
Most people would rather be doing many things besides sitting in a therapist's office. We understand that the therapeutic process can be uncomfortable in the beginning, and that getting started can sometimes be intimidating. We've done our best to de-mystify this process by providing answers to the questions most newcomers ask.
If your question can't be answered by the list below, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss them with you.
General Questions About Our Services:
1.) How do I schedule an initial appointment?
All new clients must complete the telephone assessment process. In this initial phone consult, our Office Manager, Amy Crawford, will have you answer questions which allow us to understand your circumstances and determine how best to serve you. She will walk you step-by-step, through the process of becoming a new client, and can help you choose which clinician could work best for you based on your individual needs. Amy can also answer any questions you may have regarding payment, insurance, billing, etc.
2.) Can I make an initial appointment for a family member
or friend who really needs help?
Unfortunately, no. Our policy requires all first-time clients to initiate their own appointments.This protects their privacy while also allowing us to provide all of the necessary information to the new client and schedule a workable appointment time. If you are making an appointment for a dependent child who is under 18 (for whom you have legal guardianship), you may make these appointments. See Question # 9 for information about clients designating someone to make or change appointments.
3.) Can I make my appointments through email/internet?
We're sorry, but no. All appointments must be arranged with our staff, either over the telephone or in person, at the office. Our policy prohibits us from communicating about appointments via the internet.
4.) Can I pay for my sessions with a credit/debit card?
YES! We are happy to announce that Marriage and Family Therapy Services has joined the 21st Century and can receive payments via Visa, Mastercard, or Discover Card. Sorry, we do not offer a debit card option, although if your debit card can be used as a credit card, then NO PROBLEM! We will also gladly take your personal check or cash.
We do charge a $25. fee for insufficient funds on a check, and this must be paid and all balances cleared prior to being seen again in therapy. Clients also may lose the right to pay with a check if this occurs.
5.) Should my spouse/family member attend any or all of my therapy sessions with me?
This must be answered on an individual basis, but as a general rule, Marriage and Family Therapists prefer to meet as many people as possible from a client's family. This usually helps facilitate change more efficiently, especially when the issues clients are seeking help with, involve these other people.
There are some situations in which it is not in clients' best interest to attend together (for example, when safety is a concern because domestic violence is currently occuring in the home). Please make sure you provide the specifics of your circumstances during your telephone assessment, to have your individual and family's needs met safely.
6.) Will I receive telephone reminder calls for my appointments?
No. Therapy is very different from medical or dental appointments. A vitally important ingredient of successful therapy is the client's willingness to take responsibility for their appointment time(s). We sometimes confirm the very first appointment by telephone, but this is a one-time courtesy and will not happen after that point.
7.) Why do you require 48-hours' notice for cancellations?
When we have advance notice, we are able to contact clients waiting on our cancellation list, and arrange for them to be seen. Our therapist's calendars stay consistently booked, and if we do not have adequate notice, we cannot serve all of those who are in need of our services.
8.) How often do you suggest clients attend therapy?
The process of therapy is similar to a personal fitness regimen. At the beginning of treatment, we recommend clients attend on as regular a basis as possible -- weekly sessions are ideal, or at least every other week. We do not recommend waiting much longer between appointments, as momentum is more difficult to build up and effectiveness can greatly diminish. After progress is made in clients' lives, appointments can occur less frequently -- perhaps monthly or every other month -- and towards the end of treatment, the maintenance phase might only require a check-in twice a year. The decision to terminate treatment is best made mutually, between client and therapist, in session.
9.) Should I just make my appointments on an as-needed basis?
Our regular clients generally reserve many appointments on the calendar at once, several weeks ahead of time. This ensures they will get their weekly appointment and that they will not have to be put on the waiting list. It also allows clients to prioritize therapy, scheduling the rest of their lives around it. Clients can book up to 3 months' worth of standing appointments, but must be responsible to add more desired appointments to our calendar as the sessions are used. Appointments can only be made in person, or on the telephone, by the client themself, unless otherwise arrangements have been made via a "release of information form."
Clients do have the right to designate family members or friends who can schedule or cancel appointments, but this can only occur by completing this release form with our administrative staff. We will provide clients with an appointment card, and they are expected to keep track of all upcoming appointments.
10.) Do you accept Insurance or EAP?
Yes, we are providers for Primary Physicians Care, and the EAP for Caldwell County Employees. We will be happy to file claims on your behalf for the above groups, based on your individual benefits plan. Please read our policies and procedures regarding this in our intake paperwork.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, United and other insurance plan holders: Please read about how we handle your insurance plans here.
Most people would rather be doing many things besides sitting in a therapist's office. We understand that the therapeutic process can be uncomfortable in the beginning, and that getting started can sometimes be intimidating. We've done our best to de-mystify this process by providing answers to the questions most newcomers ask.
If your question can't be answered by the list below, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss them with you.
General Questions About Our Services:
1.) How do I schedule an initial appointment?
All new clients must complete the telephone assessment process. In this initial phone consult, our Office Manager, Amy Crawford, will have you answer questions which allow us to understand your circumstances and determine how best to serve you. She will walk you step-by-step, through the process of becoming a new client, and can help you choose which clinician could work best for you based on your individual needs. Amy can also answer any questions you may have regarding payment, insurance, billing, etc.
2.) Can I make an initial appointment for a family member
or friend who really needs help?
Unfortunately, no. Our policy requires all first-time clients to initiate their own appointments.This protects their privacy while also allowing us to provide all of the necessary information to the new client and schedule a workable appointment time. If you are making an appointment for a dependent child who is under 18 (for whom you have legal guardianship), you may make these appointments. See Question # 9 for information about clients designating someone to make or change appointments.
3.) Can I make my appointments through email/internet?
We're sorry, but no. All appointments must be arranged with our staff, either over the telephone or in person, at the office. Our policy prohibits us from communicating about appointments via the internet.
4.) Can I pay for my sessions with a credit/debit card?
YES! We are happy to announce that Marriage and Family Therapy Services has joined the 21st Century and can receive payments via Visa, Mastercard, or Discover Card. Sorry, we do not offer a debit card option, although if your debit card can be used as a credit card, then NO PROBLEM! We will also gladly take your personal check or cash.
We do charge a $25. fee for insufficient funds on a check, and this must be paid and all balances cleared prior to being seen again in therapy. Clients also may lose the right to pay with a check if this occurs.
5.) Should my spouse/family member attend any or all of my therapy sessions with me?
This must be answered on an individual basis, but as a general rule, Marriage and Family Therapists prefer to meet as many people as possible from a client's family. This usually helps facilitate change more efficiently, especially when the issues clients are seeking help with, involve these other people.
There are some situations in which it is not in clients' best interest to attend together (for example, when safety is a concern because domestic violence is currently occuring in the home). Please make sure you provide the specifics of your circumstances during your telephone assessment, to have your individual and family's needs met safely.
6.) Will I receive telephone reminder calls for my appointments?
No. Therapy is very different from medical or dental appointments. A vitally important ingredient of successful therapy is the client's willingness to take responsibility for their appointment time(s). We sometimes confirm the very first appointment by telephone, but this is a one-time courtesy and will not happen after that point.
7.) Why do you require 48-hours' notice for cancellations?
When we have advance notice, we are able to contact clients waiting on our cancellation list, and arrange for them to be seen. Our therapist's calendars stay consistently booked, and if we do not have adequate notice, we cannot serve all of those who are in need of our services.
8.) How often do you suggest clients attend therapy?
The process of therapy is similar to a personal fitness regimen. At the beginning of treatment, we recommend clients attend on as regular a basis as possible -- weekly sessions are ideal, or at least every other week. We do not recommend waiting much longer between appointments, as momentum is more difficult to build up and effectiveness can greatly diminish. After progress is made in clients' lives, appointments can occur less frequently -- perhaps monthly or every other month -- and towards the end of treatment, the maintenance phase might only require a check-in twice a year. The decision to terminate treatment is best made mutually, between client and therapist, in session.
9.) Should I just make my appointments on an as-needed basis?
Our regular clients generally reserve many appointments on the calendar at once, several weeks ahead of time. This ensures they will get their weekly appointment and that they will not have to be put on the waiting list. It also allows clients to prioritize therapy, scheduling the rest of their lives around it. Clients can book up to 3 months' worth of standing appointments, but must be responsible to add more desired appointments to our calendar as the sessions are used. Appointments can only be made in person, or on the telephone, by the client themself, unless otherwise arrangements have been made via a "release of information form."
Clients do have the right to designate family members or friends who can schedule or cancel appointments, but this can only occur by completing this release form with our administrative staff. We will provide clients with an appointment card, and they are expected to keep track of all upcoming appointments.
10.) Do you accept Insurance or EAP?
Yes, we are providers for Primary Physicians Care, and the EAP for Caldwell County Employees. We will be happy to file claims on your behalf for the above groups, based on your individual benefits plan. Please read our policies and procedures regarding this in our intake paperwork.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, United and other insurance plan holders: Please read about how we handle your insurance plans here.
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GoDaddy.com - World's No.1 Domain Name Registrar Copyright 2008 - 2011">2008 - 2011. Marriage and Family Therapy Services">Marriage and Family Therapy Services. All rights reserved. Copyright . Marriage and Family Therapy Services. All rights reserved.
Power to Thrive Radio
Become a Fan by clicking on the link, above!
Preview Liza Shaw's New Book, "Thousands of Words:" http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/thousands-of-words/16116379
Or purchase here:
GoDaddy.com - World's No.1 Domain Name Registrar Copyright 2008 - 2011">2008 - 2011. Marriage and Family Therapy Services">Marriage and Family Therapy Services. All rights reserved. Copyright . Marriage and Family Therapy Services. All rights reserved.
