Question 1

What happens in the first session?

Accepted Answer

Making the decision to begin counseling is a courageous step toward achieving the best mental and emotional health for yourself and your relationships. However, as in any new venture in life, it makes the process much easier if you know what to expect from this decision. My top priority is that you feel safe in process of therapy and in our therapeutic relationship. If you ever have any questions or concerns as we begin, please bring them to my attention before or during our first session.   Upon scheduling your first appointment, you will be sent the forms to complete and bring with you to your session. These forms will provide me with some information about you, but also give you additional information about the counseling process with me.   When you arrive, please have a seat in our waiting room and I will come and bring you to my office for your appointment. This first session is your time to share your story and a time for us to identify what you would like help with at this time. I will find out from you what is not working and help identify ways we can work together to make it better. Our first session will primarily be a time to identify what brought you to therapy as well as to establish your goals for therapy. This early time is a vital first step in allowing me to understand your history and any other contributing factors related to your therapy goals. If you feel comfortable with our rapport, we will then decide how often we will meet and what issues we will work on together.   Keep in mind that therapy is a collaborative effort, and as a team our purpose is to accomplish the goals you desire to reach. I want to encourage you to be realistic and patient about this process as therapy is rarely a quick fix, but rather a rich process that requires time as well as a trusting relationship built between us.   I sincerely look forward to meeting you!

Question 2

Do you take insurance?

Accepted Answer

I am an insurance provider for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia and Aetna. If you have a different insurance provider, I am able to supply you with a Superbill that you can use to file a claim with your insurance company.

Question 3

What are your current policies regarding the COVID pandemic?

Accepted Answer

My office is taking the following precautions to protect our patients and help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Office seating in the waiting room and in therapy/testing rooms has been arranged for appropriate physical distancing.  My staff and I wear masks.  My staff maintains safe distancing. Restroom soap dispensers are maintained and everyone is encouraged to wash their hands. Hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol is available in the therapy/testing rooms, the waiting room and at the reception counter. We schedule appointments at specific intervals to minimize the number of people in the waiting room. We ask all patients to wait in their cars or outside until no earlier than 5 minutes before their appointment times. Credit card pads, pens and other areas that are commonly touched are thoroughly sanitized after each use. Physical contact is not permitted. Tissues and trash bins are easily accessed. Trash is disposed of on a frequent basis. Common areas are thoroughly disinfected at the end of each day.

Question 4

How do I set up my first appointment?

Accepted Answer

There are several ways to schedule an appointment, so you can choose the option that’s easiest for you.   You can call me at 404-645-3794. I will do my best to answer your phone call, however if you get my voicemail that means I’m either in session or simply away from the phone. Please feel free to leave a message on my confidential voicemail, and I will return your call as soon as possible.   If you'd feel more comfortable, send me an email at sally@carecenteredcounseling.com.   You can also contact me through my online form.   If you have any questions, just ask! I’m here to help. I sincerely look forward to hearing from you!

Question 5

Are all sessions confidential?

Accepted Answer

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I not only believe confidentiality is the cornerstone of the counseling relationship, allowing you a safe place to work through personal issues, but it is ethically and legally the foundation of therapy. Your right to confidentiality will be carefully maintained and will not be disclosed without your written permission, except in cases of possible harm to yourself or others (especially children or the elderly) or a criminal court subpoena.

Question 6

How do I cancel appointments?

Accepted Answer

If you need to cancel an appointment, please do so 24 hours in advance of your scheduled session. If the cancellation is less than 24 hours before your appointment, you will be billed be a “No Show” fee of $35.00.

Question 7

Do you offer telehealth and in-person sessions?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Care Centered Counseling is concerned with the safety of each and every client during this unprecedented time of the coronavirus panademic. Therefore, we offer telehealth sessions to every client as well as in-person sessions. Both types of sessions will require our client's to sign a release form discussing limitations and requirements for client's best care. Release forms are available upon requests of client's to review prior to making an appointment.