What is the therapeutic process like?

Because each person or couple has different issues and goals for counseling, it will be different depending on the individual. We tailor my therapeutic approach to your specific needs. We may use systems/theory and Structural Family Therapy as well various trauma therapies including Cognitive Processing Theory and EMDR, Sandtray. Art Therapy Interventions, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy and Child-Centered Play Therapy are also utilized to treat anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. We are so glad you are dedicated to getting the most out of your sessions. Your active participation and dedication will be crucial to your success. It is important to remember that therapy is an investment in time, money and energy. You have to carefully weigh how much of each element you would like to invest in the process.

How long does the therapy process last?

The length of treatment depends on several factors, including how much time and energy you can invest in treatment between sessions, how long the pattern has been in place, and the type of goals you would like to accomplish. Some of our clients come to therapy for only a few sessions for a brief relationship tune-up or for single-incident trauma work. Others enjoy weekly sessions for a longer period of time in order to gain new positive coping skills and learn new ways of thinking while receiving ongoing support and/or coaching. We encourage you to discuss your goals and treatment plan with your therapist during your initial consultation with your clinician.

How can I get started?

We have an assistant answering our phones during normal business hours, so just call our office at (216) 714-3278 and they can help you schedule an appointment. If you prefer to contact us by e-mail initially, please contact us at [email protected].

How do I know which therapist will be the best fit?

Some of our therapists offer complimentary 15 minute phone consultations to determine if you are a good fit for one another. Some therapists however, elect to spend more of their time conducting therapy with existing clients. You can also learn about our clinicians by visiting the About Us page on our website. You can read about each clinician’s background and watch a brief video introduction.

What are your hours?

Each clinician maintains different office hours. Please contact them directly to obtain more information.

How do you protect my confidentiality?

We want you to feel safe and comfortable sharing what’s important to you in our sessions, knowing this information will be kept private. Our practice places the utmost importance on maintaining your confidentiality and your trust. To that end, we have very thoughtful policies in place to maintain your privacy. The law protects the clinician-client privilege with a few exceptions (e.g., if an individual poses a dangerous threat to self or others, abuse or neglect of a member of a vulnerable population or by order of the court). You will find more details about your confidentiality in our consent form which will be sent to you over the client portal. You are also welcome to discuss this with your therapist or counselor or at any time.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We request full payment of any fees for services rendered at the time of each session including co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles. Our practice accepts checks payable to “Ascension Counseling & Therapy Services, Ltd.” as well as major credit cards, including Master Card, Visa, American Express, and Discover and FSA and HSA accounts. We do accept payments directly from certain insurance companies including:  Lyra, Caresource (Medicaid only), Medical Mutual, United Health/Optum, United Health Community Plan, GEHA, and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. Aetna is Out of Network (OON) and OON benefits will apply.  Some clients might able to pay cash and be reimbursed by their insurance company by utilizing a superbill.

Fees

Insurance reimbursement fees are contracted with each insurance company. We charge $160 for an initial intake assessment and $120 for a one hour counseling session for clients who are paying cash. Clients can opt for a 1.5 hour session for EMDR therapy or couples therapy or counseling sessions for an additional agreed upon charge if there is time.

What should I find out about my benefits?

To find out the details of your plan, call the number on the back of your insurance card and talk with a customer service representative. While on the phone you should ask:

1. Do I have active insurance and  in or out-of-network benefits?
2. Do I need to reach a deductible before I can use my in or out-of-network benefits?
3. Do I need to pay a co-pay or co-insurance once my deductible has been reached?
4. Do I have a Health Saving Account plan for those with high deductibles or a Health Reimbursement Account and how much is in the account?
5. Which services are covered and for how many sessions (e.g., couples therapy, medication maangement, virtual sessions)?