Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

Do I really need Therapy? 

Challenging times occur in everyone’s lives.  While you may have effectively made it through tough times in the past, there may come a time when seeking extra support may be needed.  When struggles appear, therapy may assist in providing additional skills that will assist you in making a positive change in your life.  Therapy provides long-term benefits that will help your current and future trials.

 

What is therapy like?

As each person may have a different situation, services are personalized to fit your needs.  Therapy may be designed to be short-term for a particular issue or long-term for specific behavioral patterns or personal development.  Typically, most benefit from scheduling weekly appointments.

For a positive outcome, it is important for you to actively engage in the process of therapy as the goal of therapy is to assist you in learning tools you may use in your own life.  The therapist may suggest areas to benefit your situation outside of sessions to enrich the process such as journaling, reading applicable books, or perhaps doing specific behaviors that may be related to your goals.

 

Is the information I share with the therapist confidential?

Confidentiality is one of the most important elements between you and your therapist.  For therapy to be successful, a high level of trust with delicate information occurs and the confidence in knowing that your therapist will treat your information in the highest confidential regard.  You will be given a written copy of the Confidentiality Policy at your first session and you may ask your therapist questions about the policy before sharing any personal information.

If you choose to have your therapist share information with someone else, a Release of Information may be signed granting written permission to do so.  You may need to inform your therapist if you would like updates or other information shared with others.  By notifying your therapist you would like information shared others proper documents must be signed before information may be shared.

By professional ethics and by law, therapists are required to uphold confidentiality, unless one of the following situations would occur:

• Any suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children and/or adults or elders are required to be reported to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by you or collateral sources.
• If the therapist has reason to suspect that you are seriously in danger of harming yourself or have threatened to harm another person.

 

Will my insurance pay for services? 

Calming Journeys Counseling accepts most insurances.  With the complexity of the insurance industry, it is recommended that you call to verify coverage with your specific plan.  Any fees not covered by your plan are your responsibility.

If your plan does cover services, you may want to check with your carrier regarding the extent of benefits as there may be co-pays, or if you need pre-approval, or a referral from your primary care provider, or there may be a limit to the number of sessions that may be covered.

 

What types of reimbursements do you accept?

Calming Journeys Counseling will charge your insurance carrier for services rendered if they are covered by your insurance plan.  Many plans have deductibles and/or co-payments which are your responsibility.  If you do not have insurance or choose not use your insurance plan, you will privately pay for services.

Calming Journeys Counseling participates with several insurance providers. Please contact your insurance company to check if you are covered for services and for benefits. Calming Journeys Counseling also has a sliding fee scale based on income.  Please check with your therapist for payment arrangements.  Session fees and co-payments are due at the time of service unless other arrangements have been made.

Cash, credit cards or checks are accepted for all fees.  A $35.00 minimum fee will be added for all NSF checks.

 

What happens if I miss an appointment?

Calming Journeys Counseling requires at least a 24 hour advance notice of canceling an appointment.  If you do not attend your scheduled appointment or have not notified our office in advance of a cancellation, you may be required to pay half of the fee of your missed appointment. If you miss more than three scheduled appointments or fail to cancel your appointments without a 24-hour advance notice, you may be terminated from our services.

 

How do I make an appointment? 

Call our main number (608) 448-6418 and leave a message on the voicemail.  One of our therapists will return your call and talk with you briefly about your needs.  The therapist will schedule an assessment appointment with you at a time that works for both of you.

  

How long does a session last?

A typical session is 50 minutes, but may last between 45 and 60 minutes.  On specific occasions, a 90-minute appointment may be needed for extended processing.  Your therapist will talk with you if a 90-minute appointment is needed.