We have 5 front office support staff that are available to assist with any and all insurance questions, scheduling, billing concerns, and any other questions related to counseling and psychiatric services. Sometimes, all of our lines are tied up assisting other clients. You can call back in 5 minutes and we will most likely be able to take your call then. We make every effort to take your call during office hours; however, if you are directed to our voicemail system, please leave your name and telephone number. We will return your call as soon as possible. Once we connect with you, we will ask you for several pieces of information to assist in getting you connected to the best therapist for your situation.

We will work to find the first available appointment that matches your schedule and that of our clinician. If you are in need of immediate help, please tell us during your initial phone call and you will be seen as soon as possible.

We will review the following information with you during your call:

• In general terms, why are you seeking counseling?
• In choosing a counselor, do you have a gender preference?
• Are there limitations as to when you can schedule an appointment? For example, will you need a daytime appointment or evening appointment?
• If you are planning on using your health insurance benefit, please have your insurance information available. Also, see the list of insurance companies Family Solutions is contracted with and that reimburse for counseling services provided at our office. Be aware that some clinicians are not in network with all insurance companies listed.

If you are paying out of pocket, we will also discuss fees for each therapist. All of our clinicians require a pre-consultation payment to secure your first appointment. This fee ranges from $25 - $75 and is obtained during the initial intake over the phone. We know that your time is valuable and we do not double or triple book appointment times. We reserve your appointment time especially for you.

Everyone can be nervous about the first appointment. And everyone has lots of questions - all kinds of questions. Can I find the office? Will I like the therapist? Will the therapist like me? Will the therapist help me? What do I talk about first? How long do I have to wait until I can expect some improvement? While the answers may be somewhat different from situation to situation, there are some generalizations we can make that may help in getting started.

In general, it is a good idea to come early for the first appointment so you don’t feel too rushed and you have plenty of time to fill out the forms needed before getting started. When you arrive at our office, you will first meet with one of our office staff. They will assist you with paperwork and let your therapist know you are there.

At the beginning of the session, it may be helpful to remember that your therapist has literally spent years of training in listening and asking questions. You are not doing this alone. Your therapist is here to work with you in making this process a helpful, comfortable, successful, and productive experience. We believe that counseling is a collaborative effort between you and your therapist.

The length of counseling depends on the problems being addressed, your motivation, the strength of rapport between you and your therapist, and the frequency of meetings which can affect the pace at which you and your therapist can work on problems. All of these things can be talked over with your therapist.

At a minimum, counseling can provide at least two things. First, counseling provides a safe place to discuss your difficulties with someone who has experience in helping people. Second, counseling generally adds some clarity about decision making options and provides a healthy place to brainstorm ideas about what to try next. Whatever the case, counseling can be tailored to your situation and, together with your therapist, you can sort out the goals that will make counseling meaningful for you.

Family Solutions Counseling Center is considered an in-network provider for the following: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, ComPsych, Coventry, Humana, Magellan, Medicaid (ABA only), Meritain, MHNet, St. Francis Missionaries, TRICARE, UMR, United Behavioral Health, United Health Care, Value Options, and Vantage.

If you choose to use an insurance benefit, we will collect the appropriate information over the phone, call your insurance company to find out about any deductibles or co-payments you may be responsible for and any restrictions the insurance company may have regarding using your benefit. Our office staff will call you back with this information prior to your first session.