Turning Point Counseling Services FAQ's

Potential clients contact us and together we determine whether our services are a good fit for the needs of the client. If that seems to be the case, an intake appointment is scheduled. Clients will fill out intake paperwork and bring it with them to the appointment. During the intake appointment, client and therapist will go over paperwork, background, history and goals. Additional appointments may be scheduled as desired. Clients are expected to pay each session.

We work with children, adolescents and adults in individual, couples, family, and group counseling.

Yes, with the pandemic we have moved all of our counseling services to telehealth virtual counseling. Clients can do video conferencing or phone sessions. When it is safe to return to in-person sessions, we will do so. Even after we return to in-person, we will continue to offer virtual telehealth.

Our current office hours as of October 2021 are as follows:
Monday- CLOSED
Tuesday- 7:00a to 5:00p, Virtual Appointments
Wednesday- 7:00a to 5:00p, In-person Appointments
Thursday- CLOSED
Friday- 7:00a to 5:00p, Virtual Appointments
Saturday- BY Appointment ONLY
Sunday- CLOSED

It is essential for counseling to be confidential. However, there are certain exceptions to confidentiality required by law. Some exceptions include if you are a danger to self or others or if you have signed a release of your confidentiality. This will be discussed in more detail during your initial appointment.

Mental health professionals are more than just good listeners. They also have the education, experience and tools to be able to help with the issues that you want to work on. While our friends and family can be great supports and listeners, they don't have the same skills and tools to be able to work through things the way a therapist can. Additionally, a therapist is impartial and can see things from a variety of perspectives in ways that our friends and family may not be able to.

There are a variety of ways that people pay for counseling: health insurance, HSA funds, pay out-of-pocket, help from family, charitable organizations, sliding scales, EAP through work, etc. You can check with your health insurance to see if, how, and what mental health services are covered. If you have a HSA account, check and see how you can use your funds for counseling. Many private practice mental health professionals are not in network insurance providers and do not bill insurance. If that is the case, you may still be able to get some of your costs reimbursed from your insurance company at the out-of-network rate. Check with your insurance company.

***Turning Point Counseling Services does not bill insurance and we are not in-network for any insurance companies. Therefore, clients pay for services out-of-pocket. We accept cash, check, visa, MC, and Discover. Some are able to get reimbursed from their insurance or HSA. We also have a sliding scale that can be used, as needed.

Psychiatrist are medical doctors with a specialty in mental health. They're able to prescribe medication and therapy. Many psychiatrists do medication only. Therapists are not medical doctors and do not prescribe medication. They have been trained to work with mental health issues. Oftentimes people will have both a therapist and a psychiatrist. Sometimes just one or the other.

There's never a guarantee that therapy will work. There are a lot of variables that enable therapeutic progress. Some of these include motivation and effort of the client, honesty and openness of client, relationship between therapist and client, getting medication needs met, certain medical issues, relationship dynamics, addiction issues, expertise of the therapist regarding the issues, etc. One of the most important elements for success is communicating your needs, expectations and concerns with your therapist.

Like many relationships, it may take time to feel comfortable and to trust your therapist. That is normal. Talk to your therapist if you have questions, concerns, or discomfort. If you or the therapist feel it is not a good fit, you have the right to change therapists. Likewise if the therapist feels it is not a good fit, they can suggest finding a new therapist. Therapist can help with referrals and finding resources.