FAQ
Getting Started with Therapy
I want to begin therapy, but I have no idea which therapist would be a good fit for me.
There’s quite a few of us with all different areas of expertise, so it can be difficult to decide! Good news – no need to know ahead of time which therapist you want! Our admin team can offer some recommendations, based on what you are seeking services for, office location, and availability.
How can I make sure that the therapist and I will be a good fit prior to the intake session?
Our team members offer a free 15-minute consultation call between you and any of our clinicians. If you are interested in setting one up, please contact our admin team to schedule or you may reach out to that clinician directly through their email in their profile.
What can I expect after making my first appointment?
Once you have scheduled your first appointment, our admin team will email you with the intake paperwork to fill out prior to session, which is also on our website. It is important that this paperwork is completed 48 hours prior to your session, to ensure that our admin team can upload it, verify your benefits, set up your file correctly, and allow the clinician adequate time to review.
If the intake paperwork is not received 48 hours prior to the session, the appointment will be cancelled. Don’t worry though – your appointment is able to be rescheduled once our admin team has received the paperwork!
If you would like to bring a paper copy of the paperwork to the first session, all we ask is that you notify admin of this.
Once your intake paperwork has been completed, all you need to do is show up to your first session ready to engage with your therapist, as they will be very excited to meet you!
I’m really struggling. How soon can I meet with someone?
Most of the time, we can have a session scheduled 24–48 hours from the time you call in!
Though we would love to support all those struggling, please note that we are not an emergency crisis service. If you are experiencing immediate suicidal thoughts or ideations, please contact 911 or go to the nearest hospital.
Session Details & Logistics
How long are therapy sessions?
A typical therapy appointment lasts approximately 50–55 minutes, though various factors may shorten a session. Sessions often last 55 minutes maximum to ensure we have enough time to reset and prepare for the next individual(s)!
How often do we meet?
The frequency of sessions recommended is typically once a week, as there is a great deal of background information, history, and relationship-building done in the beginning. Plus, we want to provide you with as much support as we can. Our therapists do understand that meeting weekly is not always feasible, so meeting every other week or once a month is an option too!
How will I get my telehealth link?
Telehealth links are automatically sent out by the system approximately 15 minutes prior to the start of the session. Technology issues do occur, so if you do not receive your link, please contact your therapist directly or admin.
Payment, Insurance, & Admin Support
What is the cost per session?
Our out-of-pocket rates are $185 for the initial intake session and $150 for every session following.
If you plan to use insurance, our admin team will be able to obtain a quote of benefits from your insurance carrier to determine your copay.
Please note that the quote of benefits and copay amount provided by your insurance carrier is not a guarantee.
I have a question about my insurance, payment method, or about billing practices. Do I contact my therapist or admin?
Our admin team is amazing at handling insurance and billing-related questions! You are welcome to contact admin by phone or email. In general, communication with your therapist is reserved for the contents of therapy itself, scheduling, or anything else your therapist has communicated with you directly about in session.
Scheduling & Cancellations
What do I do if I need to cancel or reschedule a session?
If you need to cancel or reschedule a session, we ask that you provide 24 hours notice. You may call or email admin or if you know your therapists email or phone extension, you may contact them directly to cancel or find a time to reschedule your appointment.
In our intake packet you will receive a copy of our late cancel/no show policy that explains the details.
I don’t have an appointment scheduled until later in the week/next week, but I really feel like I need to talk to someone sooner.
Reach out to us! Please contact admin or your therapist directly to inquire if it is possible to move your session to sooner. If it is not possible to reschedule the session with your therapist sooner, we are more than happy to offer another therapist to fill in and meet with you in the meantime.
Therapist Fit & Referrals
What do I do if I don’t think my therapist and I are a good fit?
Great question! It happens! Therapy is uniquely personal and not every therapist is going to be a good match for every client. If you feel like you and your therapist are not a good fit, there are a couple of things you can do.
First, try and talk to your therapist about it. While this can feel scary, all of us recognize the reality that sometimes we may not be the best fit for your individual needs. We are happy to work with you to see if there are any modifications we can make to improve your comfort level OR offer other potential clinicians who might be a better fit.
If you do not feel comfortable talking to your therapist, please give our admin a call — they will be more than willing to direct you to another clinician that could be a better fit and inform your previous therapist.
Can I refer a family member or a friend to Owens?
YES!!! We love when we get referrals from clients. While our therapists often collaborate as part of a team environment, all of your protected information will stay protected and private.
If a therapist receives a client that was referred by another client, the therapist is held to a high level of confidentiality — meaning the therapist is not allowed to state that they are aware of that person, even if they are also a client of that therapist.
In the case of couple’s or family therapy, having all therapists in the same office can actually be really helpful. It is a lot easier for those therapists to collaborate on treatment goals and ensure that therapy is staying consistent.
All of us at Owens Counseling & Therapy value and take great pride in maintaining confidentiality for all of our clients!