Frequently Asked Questions
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That first counseling appointment can lend to some anxiety itself so we wanted to give you some idea of what you might do to prepare for it and what you can hope to expect. Making the first call to get started in counseling is a BIG step and you should be proud of yourself because that alone takes courage.
Preparing for therapy can be beneficial. It is important in the initial paperwork and that first appointment to communicate your symptoms, history, and expectations to your counselor. Preparing ahead of that appointment can help you stay organized, allows time for you to clearly identify what’s worked in the past and what you need in the present and future, and helps your counselor understand what issues you feel are a priority so that can be addressed first.
How to prepare for your first session:
Complete all necessary paperwork and include specifics about your mental health history as well as any past trauma, relationship issues, family of origin issues, and your medical health (oftentimes your sleep and diet play a role in your emotional and mental wellbeing).
Be open and honest with your counselor! Honesty is paramount to successful therapy. Counselors will not judge you. They are here to help you. They will emphasize confidentiality and are ethically bound to safeguard what you share with them. There are only a few exceptions to this, such as if you believe you may harm yourself or others that require them, as mandated reporters, to report. Your counselor will clearly explain confidentiality and its limits in that first session. If they don’t mention it, please ask them about it.
Know what’s bringing you in for therapy so you can partner with your counselor to create a treatment plan that best addresses what’s going on in your life. This might require some reflection and journaling prior to that first appointment to determine your purpose for therapy and help you to identify what your “end goal” might even be.
Confiding in a friend or loved one might provide you some support as you begin your counseling journey.
Make a list of topics you wish to cover in your sessions. It doesn’t mean you’ll unpack ALL of it in those first one or two sessions (we can guarantee that you won’t) but it will give your counselor an idea of how to best begin.
Consider how your past (including your childhood and those relationships) may be impacting you now.
Get your appointments/scheduling and insurance/payment details handled BEFORE beginning so that those don’t interfere with therapeutic relationship.
Don’t be too worried about what you “should” say – there’s no “wrong” way to say things in therapy.
Please feel free to ask your counselor questions as you have them.
Let yourself feel what you feel and experience what you experience. Am I talking about being sad and/or crying? Yes! It is absolutely normal to share those feelings and to cry during counseling.
Clear some space on either side of your appointment - blocking out extra time before or after your session might be helpful. It allows you time to process the work you and your counselor accomplished.
Manage your expectations and keep an open mind. Your counselor might offer an approach that you may be unfamiliar with so hear them out and consider what they offer. They are experts in their field and have graduate degrees and advanced training in different modalities.
Understand that counseling is NOT a quick fix – You will not discover solutions at your first session because mental health is complex. I often say, “people didn’t get ‘off track’ overnight and they won’t get back ‘on track’ overnight either.” It takes time to work through and unravel things that you’ve been carrying in your mental health backpack (usually for years!).
Your first couple of sessions are about getting to know one another and for your counselor to learn about your history. It allows for you to have time to get used to being in therapy and talking about your life and experiences. It also gives you time to get comfortable with your counselor as you share aspects of your life. Our goal is to provide an environment and therapeutic relationship that works for youscription
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Yes, we accept a variety of insurance plans to make counseling more affordable including:
Aetna
Ambetter
Blue Cross Blue Shield
ChampVA
Cigna
Health Advantage
HealthChoice OK
Meritain
Municipal Health Benefits Fund by AML
QualChoice
We DO NOT accept Medicare, Medicaid, or SoonerCare.
Please contact us to verify your coverage and learn more about your benefits.
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We DO NOT offer a sliding scale; however, we understand that everyone’s financial situation is different. That’s why we prefer to discuss your situation with you privately so that we may offer different levels of professional care making quality mental health more accessible and affordable. Please reach out to discuss options and find a plan that works for you.
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The length of therapy varies depending on your individual needs, goals, and the type of therapy used. Some people find meaningful progress in 6-8 sessions, especially if they’re working on specific challenges, while others may choose longer-term therapy to explore deeper issues or ongoing personal growth. Together, we’ll regularly review your progress and adjust the plan to ensure therapy remains effective and supportive for you.
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We offer flexible counseling options to fit your needs—meet with us in person at our welcoming office or connect online from the comfort of your home. Whichever you choose, you’ll receive the same compassionate, professional care every step of the way. Online sessions can be a great choice if you might be feeling a bit under the weather, when severe weather conditions may be looming or if driving distance is an issue.
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EMDR therapy is available virtually. For your convenience and comfort, we offer EMDR therapy sessions online as well as in person. This allows you to receive effective trauma treatment from the safety of your own space without compromising quality or support.
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We are saddened to implement this policy, but feel we must assist in protecting our therapists. We believe that mental health therapy is every bit as important as any other appointment you might make and, quite possibly, more important than other appointments you choose to keep over your mental health care. A canceled appointment hurts you, your therapist, and another client who could have used your time slot. While therapy is a commitment, this is for your personal growth, and consistency is critical to achieving this.
You can cancel an appointment or reschedule an appointment within the same week if you provide 24-hour notice and there is another available appointment in the week. If you cancel an appointment with less than 24 hours’ notice or fail to show up, you will be charged a $150 fee if you see a Licensed Professional Counselor, a $100 fee if you see a Licensed Associate Counselor, or a $50 fee if you see a Counseling Intern. Insurance and HSA/FSA funds do not cover this fee and cannot be used for it, as it is not a medical expense.
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Do you have evening appointments? We see clients from 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM, Monday through Thursday. We understand that balancing work, school, and life can make daytime appointments challenging, so we’re proud to offer convenient evening times to fit your busy schedule.
