The following is a list of commonly asked questions about psychotherapy. Each
question is followed by a brief answer. If you have a question that is not asked below,
please feel free to ask it when you contact Counseling Associates.
Q: How much does therapy cost?
A: If you have insurance that covers therapy, typically $10 to $25 a session for the
insurance co-pay; some insurance require a copay of a percentage of the fee, from
10% to 50%. If you are not using insurance, it will cost $65 to $125 per session. The
fee is typically agreed upon by both client and therapist prior to beginning therapy.
Q: When you go to Counseling Associates who knows about it?
A: Only you and those who help you. The only records are kept by Counseling
Associates and are confidential. No information can be released without your
knowledge and written consent, including the fact that you come to Counseling
Associates for therapy.
Q: How long does therapy take?
A: Most therapy is short-term, from 6 to 10 sessions. Sometimes, however, therapy
will last longer, as much as 50-100 sessions. Each client's needs are different, and
therefore the number of sessions needed to accomplish his or her goals varies. The
client always has the power to choose to continue or discontinue therapy at any time.
Q: How do I pick a good therapist?
A: Among the most reliable ways to find a good therapist is obtaining a referral from
a trusted friend, colleague, or physician. You can also call our main number and a
staff member should be able to help link you to a qualified therapist. Finally, each
client is encouraged to interview with a given therapist before beginning or as early
as possible when starting treatment. It can be beneficial to inquire as to a potential
therapist's style, philosophy, and treatment modalities to try to arrange the best
possible fit.
Q: What do you do in a therapy session?
A: Therapy sessions vary significantly form person to person. While therapy for
children is often play driven, sessions for adolescents and adults tend to be
talk-oriented. By establishing goals along with your therapist at the outset of
treatment, you'll be able to sustain a productive focus over time.
Q: Do I have to lie on a couch?
A: Some offices have couches and chairs and you may sit on either - whatever is
most comfortable. Sometimes children sit on the floor and the therapist may join
them!
Q: What kinds of people go to a therapist?
A: All kinds- adults, children, teens, families, and seniors. The general purpose of
therapy is to help a person improve their overall satisfaction with their life. For
some people, therapy is a way to improve their state of mind while dealing with a
specific life challenge. For others, therapy is helpful for dealing with chronic
difficulties, such as depression and anxiety.
Q: How do I know when my therapy is completed?
A: The choice to continue or stop therapy belongs to each client. However, the
therapist may encourage continuing therapy if he or she believes it is in the client's
best interest. Part of each client's treatment record is a list of concrete, identifiable
goals designed with a client's assistance. The purpose of the goals is to identify the
client's objectives for improvement, and provide an objective record for tracking the progress of therapy. It is recommended that a client consult with his or her therapist prior to discontinuing therapy so that post-therapy care plans can be discussed and arranged.
Q: What do I do if I do not feel my therapist and I are a good fit?
A: The client has the final word on whether he or she wishes to continue working with
a therapist. Productive therapy is usually the result of a strong, positive, and
respectful working relationship between therapist and client. Keep in mind that
a poor fit should be discussed with the therapist directly before discontinuing
therapy. This is because it can provide helpful closure to both parties when
terminating a working relationship, and because resistance to working with a
specific therapist can sometimes signal the presence of an important therapeutic
issue that would benefit being worked through with the therapist rather than
possibly avoided by leaving therapy to reduce discomfort. If you decide, after
discussion with your current therapist, that you would like to switch to a new
therapist, you can contact the front office at (248) 848-1558 and request
you be transferred to a new clinician. **Keep in mind that it is unethical for
multiple therapists to treat a client at the same time for the same problems
and in the same manner. To do so would create overlapping of treatment
that is considered non-beneficial to a client's therapeutic work.
Q: Who do I contact at the clinic if I have concerns about billing?
A: Call the main phone number (248) 858-1558 and speak with the secretarial staff.
Q: Who do I contact at the clinic if I have questions about my insurance?
A: Call the main phone number (248) 858-1558 and speak with the secretarial staff.
Q: What kinds of records does Counseling Associates keep of my therapy, and
how is my privacy protected?
A: Written records are kept in compliance with state law and professional mandate.
Such information includes basic contact information (i.e., name, address, phone
numbers, emergency contact information), clerical information related to billing
and insurance (i.e., social security number, insurance policy numbers), and
progress notes and treatment records.
Q: Who has access to my records?
A: Only your therapist, and the clinic's clerical and billing staff have access to
your records unless you sign a release of information.
Q: How do the rules of confidentiality work? And under what circumstances
do they not apply?
A: A client has confidentiality when speaking with his or her therapist. This means
that all information discussed during each session is kept private, as well as the very
fact that a given client is even in therapy. Such information can only be revealed to
outside parties under a few specific circumstances. First, a therapist can reveal
specified treatment information to specified individuals for a specified period of
time if the client authorizes it by signing a complete release of information form.
Secondly, a therapist can be compelled by law, i.e., by a subpoena or a court order,
to reveal a client's information. In addition, a therapist is obligated by the professional
code of ethics and the law to report any physical or sexual abuse perpetrated on the
client or by the client. Finally, a therapist has an ethical duty to warn any identifiable
individual or group of individuals if the therapist believes there is reasonable suspicion
that the client intends to do serious harm to the individual or individuals in question,
or if the client represents a danger to him or herself. The case of danger to him or
herself, a therapist is obligated by ethical and legal code to break confidentiality in
order to ensure the client's safety through proper care. Such care can include
admittance to a hospital emergency room or other qualified, emergency mental
health care facility.
Q: What should a client do if he or she believes that he or she presents serious danger
to self or others?
A: An individual should arrange for transportation to a Hospital Emergency Room with
a psychiatric care unit, or, if uninsured and unable to pay for those services, contact
Common Ground Sanctuary in Oakland County, Michigan at 1(800) 231-1127 (This is
the toll-free, 24 hour a day crisis intervention line.)
