What To Expect counseling questions

In a warm welcoming environment we will begin therapy by assessing your presenting problem(s), defining your needs, establishing your goals, and developing a plan for reaching those goals. We will also talk about patterns of behavior, challenge old beliefs, and build on your sources of strength.

Location: Therapy Nest:

9666 Olive Blvd. Suite 370 St. Louis, MO 63132

Centrally located, Creve Coeur is 18 minutes from Chesterfield, 23 minutes from Downtown St. Louis and 25 minutes from O'Fallon

There are various payment options accessible to you as a client including private-pay, out-of-network insurance and Health Savings Accounts.  

Private Pay

Many individuals prefer to pay privately for their counseling services as it provides the benefit of receiving counseling without a mental health diagnosis (which is expected in order to utilize health insurance) or the restrictions of an insurance plan. Payments must be made at the time of the service via cash, check or credit card. 

Fees

$ 93.00   1 hour counseling session (Individual, child/adolescent, or couple)

$125.00  2 1/2 hour Hypnotherapy Session

$ 90.00   1 hour Neurofeedback Session

Do you take insurance, and how does that work?

I do accept some forms of insurance, and if we are out of network I will be more than happy to provide you with a receipt that you can submit to insurance for reimbursement. It might be helpful to call your insurance before our appointment. Some questions you can ask them: 

• What is the coverage amount per therapy session
• How many sessions do they cover?
• Is pre-authorization required before seeking treatment?
• For an out of network provider- How much does my insurance cover?
• What is my annual deductible? Has it been met?     

Therapy can bring a wide array of benefits. Not only can therapists provide coping strategies for a wide range of issues but they can provide problem-solving skills, and offer support.

I have had numerous clients tell me that therapy has been a great asset in managing challenges of daily life, interpersonal relationships, marriage issues, family concerns, and personal growth. Additionally, therapy can offer a fresh perspective on a complicated issue or direct you in the direction of a solution. Some of the benefits of therapy genuinely depend on how well you implement the process and apply what you have learned. 

Some of the benefits detail:

• Achieving an enhanced understanding of yourself, your values and your goals
• Emerging skills for refining the relationships in your life
• Finding a resolution to the concerns or issues that directed you to pursue therapy
• Learning new methods to cope with anxiety and stress
• Managing depression, grief, anger, and other emotional pressures
• Enhancing listening skills and communications
• Developing new behavioral patterns or Altering old ones
• Finding new ways to solve issues in your marriage or family
• Boosting self-confidence and improving your self-esteem
• Finding alternative parenting methods to help with your child’s behavior

Let’s first shake the stigma of therapy by saying -you’re not nuts, nor broken, and there’s nothing inherently wrong with you. Life can be hard, things change, shit hits the fan, and trauma happens. Just because you see a therapist or have seen one in the past doesn't mean you are mentally ill or crazy.

Everybody goes through challenging situations in life, and while you could have effectively steered through other complications you've faced, there's nothing wrong with looking for additional support when you need it. 

Therapy is for individuals who have sufficient self-awareness to grasp that they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. By changing the situation and seeking therapy, you are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to improving the situation. Therapy provides support, long-lasting benefits and gives you the utensils you need to elude triggers, overcome challenges and re-direct damaging patterns. 

Before you arrive for your first session, intake paperwork will be emailed to you along with necessary information on how to get to your first appointment. This intake paperwork details some basic questions around some of your symptoms, goals, and reason for counseling. It also allows consent for our session and time spent together. If for some reason you forget your paperwork you will have the option to complete it in our initial meeting, but it might take away from some of our time together in our first session

Is what we talk about in therapy confidential?

In therapy, there needs to be a level of trust established since some of the conversation can detail highly sensitive subject matter. Confidentiality is one of the most significant components between a client and psychotherapist, and you can expect that what you present in session will not be shared with anyone. 

The only time we need to break this confidentiality is if there is any suspicion of: 

* Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.

* If there is any concern of harm to self or others.

If this comes up in session, we will discuss this openly and make the best decision at that moment. It essential that you know as a client that I will never go behind your back, but collaborate with you because you or your child's well being is my main concern.

For other questions about AG Counseling- or to make an appointment :

Phone: 636-577-2397

Email:  info@agcounseling.net