BN Counseling, LLC

Coaching and Counseling Social, Emotional and Relational Life Management Skills

FAQ

What happens during the free 15-minute phone consultation?

You and a BNC therapist will discuss any issues that you are currently looking to work on and ask any additional questions you have about our practice. At the end of the consultation, you and the therapist will decide the next step regarding your therapeutic journey.

How long will therapy take?

There is no specific period when working on personal development and growth. Depending on the type of changes that you are looking to make and the variety of issues you are attempting to work on, therapy can last from a few sessions to much longer. Some find therapy to be extremely beneficial and choose to make it a long-term process.

What can I expect to achieve in therapy?

There are many benefits to engaging in therapy! Some of these include gaining a better understanding of oneself, figuring out life goals and prospects, improving personal relationships, developing coping skills, enhancing problem-solving abilities, making positive changes to problem behaviors, and boosting self-esteem.

You should also know that counseling is not always easy. You may find yourself having to discuss very personal information. You could find those conversations difficult and embarrassing, and you might be very anxious during and after such conversations. As you learn more about yourself, you might encounter increased conflict with friends, co-workers, and family members. It is possible that you will become somewhat depressed.

Counseling is intended to alleviate problems, but sometimes, especially at first, and as you get to the root of some things, you may feel them even more acutely than in the past. We may also ask you to do some things that at first might make you feel awkward or uncomfortable. Sometimes counseling requires trying new ways of doing things. You will always be free to move at your own pace. However, we will challenge you and your old ways of thinking and doing things, but we cannot offer any promise about the results you will experience.

What are your fees?

Being that fees are subject to the economy, demographics, and personal factors, we will be happy to discuss rates with you during your free phone consultation. However, please be mindful that standing weekly appointments are what we call “your time” meaning that we will honor “your time” in expectation of rendering you professional and courteous service on a weekly basis. Therefore, if you are unable to attend “your time,” please be aware that you will be charged for a full session if you fail to notify us within 48hrs and reschedule your appointment.

Do you offer a sliding scale or student discounts?

For clients who cannot afford our full fee, we have a limited number of appointments available at a sliding scale. We ask that you at least speak to us if you have financial concerns and we will do our best to accommodate you.

What forms of payment are accepted?

We accept all forms of payment including cash, checks, and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express). However, please keep in mind that while we are dedicated to offering you a pleasant and what we hope will be a rewarding therapeutic experience; we do this with the expectation that you will render us that same respect and professional courtesy by honoring our payment policies on a consistent basis.

Do you accept insurance?

We participate in several insurance plans such as United HealthCare, Aetna, Cigna, Horizon BCBS, (EPO plans excluded), MagnaCare, Tricare etc.  If you are not insured by a plan we do business with, payment in full is expected at each visit. If you are insured by a plan, we do business with but do not have an up-to-date insurance card; payment in full for each visit is required until we can verify your coverage. Knowing your insurance benefits is your responsibility. Please contact your insurance company with any questions you may have regarding coverage.

How often do I have to come in?

Once a week sessions are the standard for individual counseling, though clients are welcome to seek more frequent sessions if they are in crisis or want greater insight.

When should I see a therapist?

If you are committed to making personal changes for greater life satisfaction, then you are ready to seek therapy. Many people believe that they need to be suffering from “mental illness” or serious “psychological problems” in order for therapy to be appropriate. This is not the case, anyone can benefit from therapy. Some even choose to come in for insight only.

What type of method or approach does your practice use?

Our practice is not limited to just one method or approach. We tailor our therapy to meet the needs of each client and draw from various theoretical models including Psychodynamic, Relational, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies (CBT).

What kind of therapist are you?

Many people incorrectly associate psychotherapy with the typical media depiction of a “Freudian” style session in which the therapist is sitting silently in the chair and nodding throughout the whole session. We take on a much more interactive and collaborative approach in our sessions. You can expect our therapists to explore thoughts, feelings, behaviors, the past and the present, and the conscious and unconscious.

Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?

Confidentiality is one of the most important components in therapy, as successful therapy requires a high degree of trust. With few exceptions, the highly sensitive material that is discussed between you and your therapist will not be shared with anyone else without your permission. For example, your therapist may share information with someone on your healthcare team (your Physician or Attorney), but by law will only be allowed to release this information after obtaining your written consent. In addition, therapists are legally mandated to make certain disclosures in cases where there is suspicion of harm to oneself, harm to others, or child abuse. All such disclosures will be discussed with you in advance.

Do you offer telephone sessions?

Yes. Our therapists offer treatment sessions for psychotherapy by telephone if you are unable to attend your regularly scheduled sessions. You will be charged your usual rate for your telephone session.

Do you prescribe medication?

Our therapists are not psychiatrists and therefore do not prescribe medication. However, in some cases medication can be valuable in combination with psychotherapy. If your therapist determines that you could benefit from meeting with a psychiatrist, we can assist with referring you to someone in our trusted network of referrals.

How do I start therapy?

You will need to contact us and schedule your FREE 15 minute phone consultation.

How long are your sessions?

The length of our sessions depend on the type of service you receive:
An individual psychotherapy session is 45 minutes.
A couple’s session is 60 minutes long
A group psychotherapy session is 90 minutes.
EMDR sessions are 60 minutes long