FEES FOR ALL THERAPEUTIC SERVICES

individual and family sessions:

55 min. - $275 per therapy and coaching sessions
Please note that 48 hour advance cancellation of scheduled appointments is required in order to avoid being billed the full session amount.

counselor consultation:

55 min. - $300 per session
Please note that 48 hour advance cancellation of scheduled appointments is required in order to avoid being billed the full session amount.

What’s included?

For current clients, the following additional services are provided at no charge:

Treatment plan with goals which will be updated as needed
Occasional brief phone consultations between sessions.
Brief phone conversations with relevant professionals (teachers, psychiatrists, doctors, etc.) when appropriate. (At your request only.)
Referral information for other professionals (psychiatrists, ADHD experts, etc.) when appropriate.
Resource lists and handouts appropriate to your goals.
Letter writing to relevant professionals (teachers, psychiatrists, doctors, etc.) to provide information about the course of therapy. (At your request only.)
Additional resources

missed appointments & cancellation policy

It is important that you regularly attend your scheduled appointments. When there are missed sessions, it can cause a lapse in our work which may result in delayed progress. I understand that there may be extenuating circumstances and I can certainly make exceptions for them, but please understand that your appointment time is reserved for you and our work together. For these reasons, I request 48 hours notice for cancelled appointments in order to avoid a cancellation fee. The cancellation fee for less than 48 hours notice is the full cost of the session.

DO YOU TAKE INSURANCE?

While I do not take insurance, I am more than happy to provide you with a receipt that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. Since coverage varies widely from policy to policy, there is no guarantee that my services will be reimbursed in full or in partial by your insurance company. However, some of my clients do report receiving partial reimbursement. Counseling sessions do qualify as medical expenses for the purpose of lowering your taxable income. *Coaching services are not covered by insurance companies.

Additionally, tax laws have created new programs that may help you pay for your therapy, even if you pay out of pocket. These include Medical Savings Accounts and Pre-Tax Flexible Spending Medical Accounts. You can also deduct the cost of therapy from your taxes if you itemize. It is a medical expense. Ask your Accountant or Compensation and Benefits Administrator if you qualify for either program. You can also pay me with a credit card.

Do I really need counseling? I can usually handle my problems.

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.

How can counseling help me?

A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn.

Some of the benefits available from counseling include:

Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
Developing skills for improving your relationships
Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
Improving communications and listening skills
Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
Feeling better about yourself and more at peace
Reducing stress
Identifying goals for living the kind of life you would like to live
Learning new behaviors and/or responses which may help you achieve your goals
Understanding your own thoughts, feelings & responses better
Understanding your loved ones better
Feeling more connected with people in your life
Having a safe and friendly listener; someone who is non-judgmental & supportive
Talking in confidence about troubling or private concerns
Working towards greater fulfillment and mastery in your life

What is counseling like?

Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. It is standard for therapists to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around fifty minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect out of therapy:

Compassion, respect and understanding
Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
Real strategies for enacting positive change
Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance

How does counseling work?

Therapy begins by taking a look at your life, relationships, and general mood to evaluate areas that you may want to focus on or shift. Your first appointment will include a questionnaire about your history, which also may guide you in establishing therapy goals.

Therapy works on many levels. You may notice some relief by simply having a supportive space to explore your concerns, feelings, or needs. Therapy also may lead to behavioral changes, such as improved communication or self-care. Finally, with deeper healing, old patterns evolve into new and healthier life choices and greater fulfillment.

Counseling provides a safe environment to share all your feelings. You will do most of the talking, and the counselor will ask questions to help you express your thoughts and feelings. The goal is that, as you identify your feelings and explore why you may feel the way you do, you and the counselor will gain clarity on your particular situation. The counselor will also teach you specific techniques and/or assign specific activities to help you overcome your presenting issue. Each counseling session is focused on you and what your needs are, so it is your responsibility to tell the counselor if there is something specific you do or do not want to work on in that session.

how many sessions will it take until I feel better?

Many people report that counseling can be helpful even after the first session. This may be because of the relief that comes from deciding to seek help, or an opportunity to speak about problems for the first time with someone who is impartial and nonjudgmental. Relief may also come from a variety of sources, including making changes in your thoughts, behaviors, relationships, and choices, and may take time to achieve.

What happens during the first session?

The initial session is the time for you to start to share your story, to talk about your goals and what you would like to change. Another important aspect of the first session is deciding if we are a good fit. Do I seem like someone you can trust? We are establishing a relationship that will become the foundation for working together. You will begin to figure out some goals; I will begin to figure out how to help you get there.

The first session will also be a process of getting to know you and what you are hoping to get out of counseling. You may share as much as you feel comfortable, I will mostly likely ask you questions to help the process and gather information. Towards the end of the first session we can make a plan to address your goals. It is normal that you may feel a little apprehensive about your first session if you have not been in therapy before. However most clients report that they feel a great deal of relief at the end of the session.

How often will we meet?

In general, approximately six counseling sessions is recommended to begin with, but on many occasions more or less are appropriate. Patients are encouraged to take an active role in determining how many sessions are needed, depending on their goals and level of distress. The length of treatment also depends on the issue(s) presented and the level of severity.

The first 1-3 sessions will focus on evaluating your strengths, mental health needs, and goals and developing an effective treatment plan to meet your needs. Most people meet with their therapist once a week for at least 6 to 8 weeks. After that, you may meet with your therapist less often for a couple more months before mutually agreeing to terminate treatment.

will i have to take medication?

Being seen for psychotherapy by a counselor does not necessarily mean you will need to take medications. Many psychological problems can be successfully treated without the use of medications. If you and your counselor decide that medications should be considered as a adjunct to counseling, your counselor will discuss referral options with you. You will need to see a physician (such as a psychiatrist) to be prescribed any medications. It is important to let your counselor know about any medications you have already been prescribed.

How do I know what counselor is right for me?

The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with the therapist and feel heard and understood. It is important for you to ask if the therapist has experience working with the type of issues for which you are seeking assistance. The therapist should be able to summarize his or her understanding of the issues you want help with and have a preliminary plan of action. If for any reason such as scheduling conflicts or not being able to meet your specific needs, then your counselor can refer you to a counselor who is a better fit.

What if I feel like counseling isn't helping?

It is very important that you provide feedback to your counselor about what is or is not helpful. Much like your academic lives, counseling gives back what you put into it. Your work in counseling will be most effective when you and your counselor solve problems together, which means you will need to let your counselor know when something is troubling you, even if the trouble is something about your counselor! Although this can be difficult to bring up, experience has shown that such direct conversations can lead to special insights, improved working relationships, and novel opportunities for personal growth.

Is what I say confidential?

Yes. All client-therapist conversations are private and confidential. It is also confidential information that a person is meeting with a counselor. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client. Only in rare exceptions when the safety of a client or other is at risk can disclosure of confidential client-therapist information take place. However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:

Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.
If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.

We need help, but my teen does not want to come to therapy. What should I do?

It is recommended that you tell your teen that they are required to come to one session, but that after that session, they can determine whether or not they would like to return. This is often very effective because by the end of the session, the teen typically feels heard and understood and many of the misconceptions the teen may have had about therapy are dispelled. In most cases, the teen chooses to return to therapy. This is also very effective because it allows the teen to participate in therapy by choice and not because the parents are requiring it. The teen is then more committed to therapy and to the change process.

As parents, what will you tell us about what our teen discloses?

Parents are informed, as is required by law, if the teen is a danger to themself or others. It is important that the teen has a safe, private space to work on his goals. For therapy to be successful, the teen must be able to talk freely, without feeling like what is shared must be censored for fear of disclosure to parents. Therefore, if we see a teen for individual therapy, we will not disclose information to the parents without the teen's consent unless we believe that the teen is a danger to himself or others. Some disclosure by the teen can be extremely helpful in facilitating a trusting relationship between the teen and the parents and we will work with the teen to encourage this type of disclosure. With the teen's consent, we will also give the parents periodic updates on the teen's therapeutic progress. We encourage the parents to call us with any questions or concerns throughout the course of treatment5

If you would like to set up a complementary 15 min. phone consultation or schedule an appointment, call 404-386-6130 or email alison@kellycounselingandcoaching.com You can also fill out the form below. Please note that counseling and coaching services are for Georgia residents only. Thank you and let me know if I can be of any further assistance.