Common Questions

What are your office days and times?
Counseling is provided Monday through Thursday, primarily in the late afternoons and evenings. Please contact me to request an appointment.

What should I expect in the initial, intake session?
In the first session both the counselor and client get acquainted. It is possible that you will need to arrive early to review and complete the intake paperwork if you were unable to do so prior. The counselor will take some time to explain the basic policies, limits to confidentiality and logistics of entering into the counseling relationship. You will also have the chance to explain what brings you to counseling as well as any expectations or goals you may have.

If the counseling client is your child, we will discuss beforehand if it is beneficial for your child to attend the first session. Your child's issues and age are taken into consideration to determine whether or not it is appropriate for them to be present at the intake.

What should I expect to take place in the counseling session?
At first, sessions will be spent exploring your situation, how this has affected you and what your goals are. After even the first few sessions, you will hopefully begin to gain insight and a deeper understanding of both yourself and problems. Together, through collaborative problem-solving and education, you will be encouraged and supported as you attempt to practice new aproaches.

How often do you speak with the parents of clients who are minors?
Parents and caregivers play an important role in the treatment of children and teenagers and parental participation is expected. Through the course of a child's counseling, parent consults will be scheduled periodically to discuss the child's progress, setbacks and points of interest. There will also be an opportunity for parents to express their concerns and anything they have noticed while their child has been involved in counseling. Parents and caregivers will also be provided with guidance that may be helpful in supporting the child.

What are your fees?
The cost of each session is $95 payable via cash or check. At this time, Devine Counseling does not accept credit cards.  There are additional fees if I should be called to court or asked to prepare documents on your behalf. There is also a $40 fee should you fail to provide a 24-hour notice before cancelling an appointment. All fees are due at the time of service.

Do you accept insurance?
The simple answer is yes. However, for all insurance plans I am considered an out-of-network provider, and many insurance plans cover a percentage of the cost.  All fees are due at the time of service, and I will then provide you with a receipt that you can  submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.

Important: It is beneficial for you to check with your insurance company prior to entering counseling to see what your coverage for out-of-network providers is and if a deductible must be met before these benefits take effect. You may also want to see if pre-authorization is necessary. If you utilize a Flexible Spending Account, these funds can sometimes be applied to mental health services as well.

Are there any benefits to not utilizing my insurance?
Whenever a claim is made to an insurance company, a counselor is required, at minimum, to provide a mental health diagnosis. Some clients prefer not to have these diagnoses or other information listed in the long-lasting records of insurance companies. Also if your insurance deductible is rather large and it is unlikely that you will meet it in the calendar year, you may want to consider if divulging any mental health information is really necessary. Lastly, paying privately can be more simple and convenient.

 What information should I provide in order to schedule an appointment or learn more?
Email is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to contact me. Although I strive to return calls as quickly as possible, a 24-hour window is frequently needed to follow up with new clients.

In order to set up a free 10 to 15 minute phone consultation, simply provide the following information:

*Information regarding you and anyone else who will likely be involved in the counseling process
*A brief description of your concerns
*The best ways to contact you and a good time to do so
*Lastly, it is always helpful for me to know who referred you or how you learned about Devine Counseling.

I look forward to meeting you!