Making an Appointment and Filling Out the Initial Paperwork
Counseling is typically initiated by the new client contacting us by telephone and scheduling an appointment for individual, couple, family, group psychotherpy, psychological or psychiatric evaluations, testing or medication management.
Our procedure is to verify your insurance benefits before your first session so that we are certain about what services are covered or not covered and the amount of your copay.
As with all medical and psychological practices, Covenant Counseling Services is required to have you provide us with some initial paperwork before you can begin your treatment experience with us. These are routine forms and generally do not take a great deal of time to complete. However, it is essential that you read them, fill them out thoroughly and sign them at the proper places BEFORE you meet with a therapist for the first time..
Some of these forms give us information necessary for us to help you. Some are required by state or federal law. Others are required by your insurance company. For your convenience NEW PATIENT PAPERWORK can be transmitted to you in a number of ways.
2. If there is enough time between the day you scheduled your initial appointment and the actual date of the appointment, we will be happy to mail you the firms and you can fill them out and bring them along when you come for your first appointment (You will need to supply us with your address).
3. If you give us your fax number we will also be happy to fax you the forms and you can fill them out and bring them along when you come for your first appointment.
4. You can pick up the forms from our office between the hours of 9:00am until 5:00pm Monday through Thursday,fill them out at home and bring them along when you come for your first appointment.
5. You can come at least a half-hour early for your first appointment and can fill them out in our waiting room prior to your first appointment; or
6. You can arrive for your first appointment and spend most of the appointment filling out paperwork in our waiting room. You will then receive what remains of your first appointment time with your therapist. This last method becomes rather frustrating for everyone, so we strongly urge that you choose one of the other options.
After you give us your paperwork, allow us to make a copy of your insurance card and pay your copay, you will then meet with your therapist and be taken to one of our counseling offices for your counseling session.
Your initial appointment accomplishes a number of tasks. Your therapist is just getting to know you, learning why you have come for therapy, discussing symptoms, conducting an initial evaluation and assessment and developing an initial treatment plan.
More thorough and detailed assessment and treatment plans are typically developed over subsequent sessions as your therapist gets to know you better. Treatment plans are typically based on behaviorally measurable goals and objectives, as well as strategies which will be used to achieve them.
Many strategies and techniques are available in order to make changes, ranging from psychodynamic insights to cognitive behavioral reframing to behavioral modification programs. Underlying the use of specific strategies and techniques, however, is the therapist’s particular understanding of the human condition and the change process. At Covenant Counseling Services we believe that problems stem from many different causes and that people often feel overwhelmed and stuck because they do not believe they have the resources or skills to overcome them. Consequently, individuals, couples and families tend to engage in the same self defeating patterns over and over again. Fortunately, we also believe that by the grace of God, human beings have many untapped resources that can be unlocked, learned and opened up if given helpful options, opportunities and support to do so.
In addition to standard counseling techniques, some strategies for change may also involve recommending other resources too, such as 12 Step Programs, couple, family or group therapy, anger management or assertiveness skill training, or other extra-therapeutic resources that seek an overall change in lifestyle. Successful treatment depends primarily on client attitude and investment in making changes, accepting new ways of approaching problems, generating solutions and implementing them in daily life. Particular strategies and techniques by themselves do not result in the successful outcome of treatment. Athough we know effective techniques for helping you to change, no mental health professional can make any guarantees regarding the outcome of therapy.Your therapist will serve as a consultant in order to assist you in achieving your goals, making insights, supporting and challenging you as appropriate. Treatment can result in significant healing, growth and life change. However, it is not uncommon for clients to feel frustrated and “stuck” at times. Change is difficult. Therapy may evoke strong emotional reactions, exacerbate hidden conflicts and cause distress. Any of these reactions should be discussed as part of treatment. Termination should be planned with an opportunity provided to review progress and exchange feedback. You and your therapist should discuss when your treatment goals have been satisfactorily achieved and determine together when termination of therapy is appropriate.
