Counseling FAQs

Most people can benefit from counseling services at some point in their lives. Seeking professional assistance is a sign of intelligence and good coping skills, not a sign of weakness. Counseling offers you the benefit of an outside perspective.

The feeling of being stuck is usually what brings most people to counseling. Sometimes people feel stuck in a dissatisfying relationship, career, mood, thought pattern, or destructive patterns of behavior. People might approach their problems or “stuckness” in the same ways, each time hoping for different results. What is necessary is a change in strategy. A new approach. A counselor or therapist is able to offer an objective and caring perspective, utilizing your strengths, to help you move forward. Defining your strengths and values, identifying possibilities for your future and unblocking emotions will usually bring clarity, relief, awareness, and a renewed energy to face life’s challenges.

What Should I Expect from Counseling Services?

Counseling is a process of self-examination, clarification of beliefs and values, growth, and emotional awareness. You may choose to make changes in your attitudes, perceptions, and behavior as you progress. Research has shown that counseling may contribute to increased productivity, enhanced self-respect, and improved communication in all kinds of relationships. Sometimes the process may be energizing, exhausting, or even uncomfortable. Emotional healing may become personally enriching, causing you to face conflict in relationships and learn new coping styles. We will do everything possible to provide a positive counseling experience for you.

On your first visit, your counselor will ask you several questions to find out what brings you to counseling, what you hope to gain from your sessions, and information about your history. The first session is an opportunity for you to get a feel for your counselor’s style and to make sure that it is a “good fit” for you.

How Long Does Counseling Last?

The initial counseling intake is generally 60 minutes. Counseling sessions themselves last approximately 45 minutes. At times your counselor may recommend 90-minute sessions in some cases. If you are dealing with an urgent situation or “crisis” in your relationship, you may opt for a 90-minute session. 90 minutes gives you more time to concentrate on your situation so you can leave the appointment with some resolution. If you have less time to come in for appointments whether due to traveling for work or busy schedules, you may opt to schedule for 90 minutes and come less frequently, but get more done when you come.

Most sessions take place weekly, depending on your concerns. However, sessions may be scheduled more or less frequently. The number of sessions needed varies with each person and problem, which will be discussed during the initial sessions. However, it is also important to do your own reflection and work in between sessions. For counseling to “work”, whether it be therapy or career counseling, you must be an active participant, both in and outside of sessions.

Counseling is a process that takes courage, patience, and an open mind. As licensed therapists and certified career counselors, we are committed to providing an experience that is solution-focused on your goals.

How Do I Know If My Concerns Require Therapy?

Are your concerns getting in the way of enjoying your daily life? Do you feel overwhelmed, worried, or unsatisfied? Are you finding it challenging to make the changes you want to make in your life? Are you feeling stuck or unsatisfied in your relationships? If so counseling may be right for you. A counselor can offer practical assistance, support, compassion, a different perspective, new strategies, and coping skills so that you can make deep and lasting changes in your life.

How Do I Find the Right Therapist For Me?

At Be Well Counseling our goal is to find the counselor that is the best fit for you and your specific needs. Our care coordinators are trained to understand your concerns and find the right match for you. Each of our counselors has specialized training and continues to stay current with evidence-based practices in their area of expertise. Our counselors meet you where you are and counsel from an empowering and nonjudgmental place.

How Can I Fit Therapy Into My Busy Schedule?

We understand that your daily life can be hectic and how hard it can be to fit counseling into a busy life. Be Well Counseling offers early morning, lunchtime, evening and weekend appointments as well as online therapy to fit your scheduling needs. Some clients opt for longer, less frequent “intensive” sessions. This allows you to “get more done” in each session with more space in between to practice new skills.

I Want to Enter Marriage Counseling With My Partner. What Should I Do If My Partner is Unwilling to Come With Me?

Individual relationship counseling has been shown to lead to an improvement in couple relationships as much as couples counseling in some cases. Whether in couples or individual relationship therapy, you ultimately can only change yourself, not your partner. However, when one partner changes and focuses on being happier, the negative pattern in the relationship changes. Our counselors can help you understand how to be happier with where you are as an individual and that in turn can translate into a happier marriage. We can also help you communicate more effectively with your partner. And, when your partner sees you taking an active role in the betterment of the relationship, that often leads to a place where they are more open to counseling.

How Many Sessions Will I Need to Feel Better?

Every situation is different as some people come into therapy for additional support through transitions or life stress while others seek help to improve behavioral health symptoms such as depression or anxiety. For mental health concerns or symptoms such as anxiety, depression, panic, disordered eating and similar concerns, extensive research has shown that between 57% – 62% of clients improve within an average of 12 sessions. The actual length also varies on the extent of the symptoms you are experiencing as well as your previous experience. What the research also shows is that therapy is highly effective for clients who complete therapy. Our goal at Be Well Counseling is to ensure that you are matched with a therapist who has unique training and experience with your primary concerns to ensure a successful outcome for you.

How Many Sessions Do You Typically Suggest for Couples/Marriage Counseling?

Many people wonder how long marriage counseling takes to make the desired changes in their relationship. The average time varies, with the most important factor being the couple’s goals for the relationship. If the goals are coaching or solution-oriented such as resolving issues around parenting or day to day responsibilities, the amount of time for relationship coaching could be 4-8 sessions. However, more frequently couples are dealing with long-standing relationship patterns, complex issues such as infidelity or an affair, or individual issues such as depression or anxiety. We offer effective methods of couples therapy.

On average, successful marriage counseling is 12-16 sessions. Other factors that contribute to a successful couples therapy outcome are consistency (participating regularly in couples therapy), active participation (practicing skills in between sessions at home with your partner), and motivation. It can be harder to change when one partner is evaluating whether to leave the relationship. Typically, couples meet weekly to begin learning new skills. Once they have begun implementing skills, sessions decrease to less frequently allowing time for more practice in between. It is well-worth the effort to invest in your relationship, the earlier the better.

How Old Does a Child Need to Be to Receive Counseling at Be Well Counseling?

Our child therapists provide child counseling for verbal children ages 3 and older.

How Safe is My Personal Information?

Privacy and confidentiality is an essential part of counseling. Everything you tell your therapist is confidential except infrequent limitations including danger to yourself or others or abuse/neglect of a child or elderly person. Your therapist will discuss this in detail with you before you begin. Further, your records are subject to privacy laws designed to keep your information private and secure in all formats. Read our Privacy Practices and Privacy Policy for more information.

How Do I Pay For Sessions?

Payment is expected at the time of service. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, personal check, or cash is accepted. We also accept Health Savings Account and Flex Spending Account cards from your employer. Career counseling services may be tax-deductible as a “job search” expense if applicable. Ask your career counselor for a statement of services for your tax records.

What Are Your Fees?

Initial Parent Intake Session (60 min): $175

Individual Therapy Session (50 min): $150

Individual Therapy Session (30 min): $100

Parent Consultation Session (50 min): $150

Phone Consultation (15 min): $45

Do You Accept Insurance?

We are considered out of network for insurance purposes. You can request a statement of services that can be used to submit to your insurance company towards your out of network mental health benefits. You may also use your health savings account or flexible spending account to pay for sessions with your counselor.

*Please note that marital or couples counseling is not covered by insurance as it not considered a “medically necessary” service. To confirm, call your insurance company, and ask specifically, “Do you cover diagnostic code Z63.0 used for marriage/couples/premarital counseling?” You want to determine whether they consider Z63.0, problems in a relationship with spouse or partner, to be a medical necessity.

**If you choose to file with your insurance company, be sure to call the number on your insurance card prior to your appointment to find out your out of network benefit details.**

Questions to ask your insurance company when you call:

• Do you reimburse for out of network mental health services
• What is my deductible
• Do you require pre-approval of services before you will reimburse
• What mental health services (codes) do you cover/not cover
• What is the allowable amount *If they say they can’t tell you this, that’s not true. It is against the law for them to withhold this information from you.

Emergency Policy

In case of an emergency, you should call 911.

We look forward to meeting you. Click here to schedule an appointment.