Frequently Asked Questions: Counseling
What is the process to start therapy at Strengthening Wellness?
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You’ll schedule a time for a 10-15 minute phone call to answer a few brief questions to make sure we can fit your needs, your schedule, and meet your budget. If we can’t meet your needs, we will offer resources or referrals for offices who might be better suited to help you.
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If we’ve both decided we’ll work well together, SW staff will send you a link to sign up for our Client Portal online. You will be asked to complete all your paperwork before your first appointment. These are forms to allow us to treat you, reviews our policies, and sets you up in our system.
The portal and forms can all be accessed via any smart device.
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Your first appointment will be a Welcome Session. We will review your documents, talk about your goals, answer your questions, and you’ll get to know your counselor and their work. This appointment sets the foundation for the rest of our work together.
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This is where the work really happens!
We’ll meet weekly or biweekly in our work towards reaching and achieving the goals you made in your welcome session. We’ll explore the pieces of life that you feel are most important to work on in a way that aligns with who are as a person and how it most matters to you.
Why are there so many steps to start counseling?
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The most important thing in making successful counseling that researchers have found is what we call “rapport”; how well do we get along as a professional working relationship?
Counselors cannot be friends with clients but we should also be friendly, approachable, and trustworthy to YOU, the client. Not everyone fits well with each other and that’s just the nature of being human. We want to make sure that we are able to help you.
Sometimes certain concerns needs a certain kind of counselor. A consultation makes sure you have the fit and connection...but also make sure you have the right kind of treatment.
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We’ve tried our best to make them aa simple and quick to fill out as possible. These forms are very similar to what you complete at a doctor’s office.
There are certain forms we need completely to legally provide you treatment.
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As soon as your paperwork is completed, a card for payment is linked to your account, we can start scheduling. Usually the payment method and forms hold up the process.
We can then schedule your welcome session for the first available slot. At that appointment we can decide on your regular appointment schedule (example: Every Tuesday at 2pm) so you can put that in your calendar right away. For some schedule requests this works better to get the process going.
What are the costs of sessions?
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Session fees are based on the level of your counselor.
Associate Counselor: $85 - $100 Individual
Advanced Counselor: $150 Individual
Counselor Intern: $20 Individual /$50 Couples or Families
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We are a private pay practice. We do not accept insurance. We are happy to provide you with a super bill. You can submit this to your insurance company for reimbursement. Some clients may receive a portion of their fees as reimbursement and many clients will not receive any reimbursement.
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Our practice offers sliding fee scale services with our Counselor Interns to eligible clients for counseling services. Strengthening Wellness, PLLC uses the Nueces County, Texas income guidelines (or your local guidelines, whichever is lower) to offer lower cost counseling services.
These spots are currently limited and as we expand, so will our access to equitable wellness space.
Is counseling right for me?
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Making the decision talk about your concerns and problems IS a big deal. We get it.
Part of counseling is learning how to make talking about problems easier. We’ll help walk you through it. And it goes better when you get to know your counselor and feel comfortable with them. This is why we have a consultation call first to make sure we’re both on the same page of what counseling means for you from your worldview.
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We’re sorry to hear you didn’t get what needed from counseling before.
There are a variety of reasons why counseling hasn’t worked for you in the past. During your consultation call we can 1) Ask you what you need and make sure we can offer what you’ve looking for 2) Be very clear about what counseling at Strengthening Wellness can and can’t offer you. 3) Discuss logistics about counseling before you begin.
If we’re a good fit to work together, these are transparent conversations you are welcome and encouraged to keep having with your counselor at Strengthening Wellness. Generally, a good measure is to try at least 2-3 sessions, practice recommendations during the week in between sessions, and keep having these discussions with your counselor because needs can change over time.
Even if we don’t end up working together, keep trying! Once you find the counselor that clicks for you…it’s a really cool thing!
Dr. Ana actually specializes in working with those who have tried counseling before and it didn’t work for a variety of reasons! -
Counseling is about mental health. Metal health is just like physical health and is on a spectrum of needs. As long as there are issues, concerns, or positive growth that you are working towards then counseling can help.
Counseling is not a place to “just talk”…you’ll be making progress towards a goal, whatever that is for you.
How does telehealth counseling work?
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Telehealth counseling is also often called online therapy, telemental health, or telemedicine. Teletherapy allows you to connect with your counselor from anywhere in Texas where you have a reliable internet connection and a smart device.
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At Strengthening Wellness, PLLC, we use a HIPPA compliant, private, and secure online platform provided through Therapy Notes. This means your online session is completely confidential, just as if you were in-person to see your therapist, but you are in the comfort in the space you choose.
All of our counselors are required to work from a private location with no interruptions to provide you a secure session.
On your side, please make sure you are also in a private location where your sessions cannot be overheard.
No judgement from SW staff if you have to make your appointment in your car for privacy, but no driving please! We’ll have to reschedule if you aren’t parked and safe!
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A private or confidential space to be alone without interruptions to enjoy your session.
You must be in the state of Texas to join your session due to licensing rules & regulations.
A smart device with access to the internet with a webcam and audio:
o Computer (laptop or desktop) with webcam and speakers OR
o Mobile device or smartphone OR
o Tablet device with built-in webcam and speakers
Reliable internet connection (at least 10mbps)
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That’s okay! If online counseling is not the right fit for you, just let us know and we can make referrals to other providers in your area. We are working on finding the perfect office space to open in-person sessions but we do not offer in-person sessions at this time.
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We are license providers in Texas, which means, by law, you must be in the state of Texas to receive therapy.
Some needs are not eligible for telehealth therapy for safety reasons. If you are actively having suicidal thoughts we can refer to in-person location who can provide you the n-person services you may need.
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Convenience: You don’t have to leave the comfort of your home or space to attend your session.
Consistency: If you’re feeling ill or are out of town but still want to see your counselor, you can still attend your session without having to cancel or reschedule.
No transportation/traffic worries: You don’t have to worry about traffic. You don’t have to take public transportation or worry about parking.
Easy scheduling: You can fit your session into your schedule without having to take additional time off from work or school in order to make your appointment time.
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On the day of your appointment, you will log into the Therapy Portal to access the telehealth platform.
Find your appointment under “Upcoming Appointments”
Click on “Start Appointment” to join the video call waiting room.
Your counselor will admit you to the appointment.
Enjoy your session!
I’m ready to start, what do I do now?
Congratulations for reaching out! Complete the form to request your consultation call!
Schedule a consultation call using this form.
One of the most important parts of counseling is making sure your counselor is the right “fit” for you. Counseling looks different for everyone and each counselor has a personalized approach to how they work with clients.
Fill out the form for a consultation phone call request. We will reach out within 1-2 business days, not counting weekends or holidays, to confirm your request and to arrange a consultation phone call.