Frequently Asked Questions
Are our discussions in therapy really confidential?
Confidentiality is a vital and necessary part of counseling. However, there are some specific situations in which information would need to be shared:
If there is suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children or elders. In these circumstances, the therapist must report the incident(s) to the authorities, including child and/or elder protective services and law enforcement.
If it is suspected that you are a threat or in serious danger of harming yourself or another person. Again, this would need to be reported to the proper authorities, including law enforcement.
If I am subpoenaed by a court of law.
If you request that your information be shared with your healthcare team (i.e. your Primary Care Physician, Psychiatrist, or another provider) or your family member(s) and you sign a Release of Information form with the specific information of what is to be released and to whom.
Do you take insurance?
Not at this time. However, I am an Out-of-Network (OON) provider, if you have this benefit and choose to use it. If you decide to use OON benefits, your insurance provider will require a couple of codes which will relay to them 1) what level of service was provided, 2) where the service was provided, and 3) a corresponding mental health diagnosis. These codes are included in a “Superbill”, which I can provide to you upon your request. This way you can decide if you want your insurance provider to receive information about your mental health and counseling sessions. You would be expected to pay for the session at the time of the appointment and seek reimbursement from your insurance company afterwards. The forms of payment that I accept include cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and HSA. When checking for OON benefits, here is a list of questions to include:
What are my mental health benefits?
Do I have Out-of-Network coverage and benefits if I see a Licensed Professional Counselor?
If so, what is my Out-of-Network deductible and what is the coverage amount per therapy session after that deductible is met?
How many counseling sessions does the plan cover per year?
Is approval required from my primary care physician? (If so, you will be responsible for obtaining the approval and/or referral).
What is your cancellation policy?
Please provide 24-hours notice for standard appointment cancellations. Less notice will be deemed as a “Late Cancellation” or “No Show” and will be billed at the full, normal session rate.
The cancellation policy for EMDR Intensives is as follows:
50% deposit is non-refundable
If the Intensive is canceled with more than 2 weeks before the actual treatment session, the Intensive may be rescheduled within the next 2 months from the date of the cancellation and the deposit will be applied. If the Intensive is canceled 1- 2 weeks before the actual treatment session, the deposit will be forfeited and the treatment session will be canceled. However, if a new Intensive is desired, you will have to pay for the entire package, including a new deposit. If the Intensive is canceled less than 1 week before the actual treatment session, or if you are a no-show, the deposit is forfeited and you will be responsible for paying the balance that is due for the entire Intensive.
What is my next step?
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call me at (314) 370-8308 or email me at cheri@courageouscounselingllc.com. You may also click on one of the schedule appointment tabs found within this website. I look forward to hearing from you!