Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the counseling process confidential?
- What about insurance and fees?
- How long will the counseling process take?
- What approach do you take to counseling?
- What if I need medication?
- What if my situation falls outside of your areas
of specialty?
- Where is your office?
- Why can I not view the files I download off your site?
Question 1:
Is the counseling process confidential?
Answer:
The short answer is yes, within certain limits. By law and professional
ethics of both the counselor and the minister (Daniel is both),
your sessions are strictly confidential. Generally, no information
will be shared with anyone without your written permission. If
you are seeing another therapist or health professional it may
be necessary for me to contact that person so that we can coordinate
our efforts. If this is necessary I will ask for your
permission. There are however, a number of exceptions
to this confidentiality policy.
· If I am ordered by the court to testify or release records.
· If you are a victim or perpetrator of child abuse I am
required by law to report this to the authorities responsible
for investigating child abuse.
· If you are a victim or perpetrator of elder or dependent
adult abuse I am required by law to report this to the appropriate
authorities.
· If you threaten harm to yourself, someone else, or the
property of others, I may be required to call the police and/or
warn the potential victim, or take other reasonable steps to prevent
the threatened harm.
· If action is required to collect fees then confidentiality
may be breached through collection procedures.
These limits are spelled out in writing in the Informed
Consent Form and become part of the agreement for counseling.
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Question 2.
What about insurance and fees?
Answer:
My fee is $110.00 for a fifty-minute session. You are expected
to pay for the counseling at each session. Check or cash is accepted.
If at any time you have financial concerns do not hesitate to
discuss them with me. In most cases, financial concerns can be
resolved. My commitment to ministry and counseling is that financial
concerns will not be the sole criterion that determines whether
you get counseling with me or not. I do not accept insurance,
and am not listed as primary provider on your health plan. I will
provide you with receipts and documentation that you may turn
in to your insurance company.
Question 3.
How long will the counseling process take?
Answer:
This is a little like asking how much does a car cost. At the
end of the evaluation period (usually one to three sessions),
we will discuss what the therapy should involve, should you decide
to continue. Therapy generally involves a large commitment of
time, money, and energy so it is important to be clear about the
goals we set together for your therapy. Goals may shift over time
but it is important to keep them in the forefront of therapy as
we work together. We will usually schedule one 50-minute session
per week at a mutually agreed upon time (under some special circumstances
sessions may be longer or more frequent). This appointment will
be reserved for you on a regular basis and is considered a standing
appointment (i.e. if you miss one week you will still have the
same appointment next week). Again, therapy should remain goal
focus, so it should become clear to us both when you are beginning
to achieve your goals.
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Question 4.
What approach do you take to counseling?
Answer:
The counseling process depends first and foremost
upon a quality relationship between client and counselor. Technique
(I believe) is secondary to this relationship. One of the fathers
of psychotherapy- Carl Rogers- notes that the success of the process
depends upon a relationship founded on genuineness, empathy and
genuine positive regard. Once the relationship is formed I take
an eclectic approach as it relates to technique, but usually begin
by examining the system from within which the client finds themselves
in. This approach is called Systems Theory which states that we
are all part of a system and we must recognize that there are
many influences on a given situation.
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Question 5.
What if I need medication?
Answer:
It is useful to use a collaborative approach to counseling with
the individual. The medical model calls this an interdisciplinary
approach, one which I fully support. If it is suggestive that
the client needs to address organic or medicinal needs, I work
with several physicians that I trust to participate in this interdisciplinary
approach, and a referral will be made.
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Question
6.
What if my situation falls outside of your areas of specialty?
Answer:
In the case where your needs will be better served elsewhere,
I will always explain my perspective and provide you with referrals
to these other resources.
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Question
7.
Where is your office?
Answer:
My office is located at St. Andrew United Methodist Church which is located at 5801
West Plano Parkway, Plano, TX 75093. This is ¼ mile east
of the North Dallas Tollway on Plano Parkway. Park on the east
side of the church (turn on Mira Vista) and park in the EAST lot.
Come through the courtyard to the main office. Paula, the Office
Manager will be able to assist you.
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Question
8.
Why can I not view files I download from your site?
Answer:
All of the files avalible for download come in PDF format. By simply downloading Adobe Reader by clicking the button below you will soon be able to open all of the files avalible.
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