FAQs

Deciding to pursue a course of therapy or counseling is not a task that should be undertaken lightly. Both the therapist and client must agree on the goals and parameters of the anticipated program. However,  we have found that when people contact us initially, they often ask very similar questions. Following are our responses to some of the more common ones asked. Please feel free to inquire about anything else that may be of concern.

1. How do I know if I really need counseling?

If you are not satisfied with the quality of life you are presently experiencing, and believe there may be ways to improve it, you may be a candidate for counseling. If you feel the every day grind of life seems overwhelming or hopeless you may benefit from counseling. If you are seeking ways to better cope with your spouse, your family, or even your boss... you may also benefit from counseling. To look at this question with the aid of a counselor please cal us at 804-378-3364 to schedule an appointment.

2. What can I expect from counseling?

A more realistic view of life and relationships, more joy, peace, serenity, freedom from torment, better coping skills...  it actually depends upon what you want, how committed you are, and how hard you are willing to work to get it.  God will use the experience to teach you about yourself.

3. What happens when I start counseling?

First, we will conduct an initial interview. You will be asked a number of questions. Your answers will enable your counselor  to assess your current situation, and help to identify and define the difficulties you feel you are experiencing. Then, we will form a partnership to establish mutually agreeable goals and a plan for completing them. Follow up sessions will then focus more specifically on helping you achieve the individual goals that have been selected, as well as those that may set in subsequent meetings.

4. Am I required to take medications?

There are times when medications may be appropriate. In those cases we can refer you to a physician.

5. How long will counseling take?

There are no hard and fast rules here. We don't have "rate books" like auto mechanics which estimate the number of hours it will require to repair a particular problem. While alleviating the crippling effects of depression in one client might only take a few sessions, it could be a much more lengthy process in another. Many factors are involved, including: the condition itself, the depth of the condition, how long the problem has been going on, how hard a client is willing to work through his problems, etc. There's really no way to determine a "standard" course of treatment. We recommend continuing counseling for as long as it is beneficial to you. That may be a matter of weeks, months, or in some rare instances, even years. Once you have established your goals and objectives, however, we can help you determine when they have been met.

6. Will I be able to choose my own counselor?

Depending on the problems you would like to address and the way we feel they can best be handled, we generally will decide on an appropriate counselor for you after your initial interview and assessment. However, if you feel uncomfortable for any reason with the counselor we have chosen for you, we will endeavor to find another according to your wishes. 

7. How much will all of this cost?

This is a very common but exceedingly difficult question to answer. Since we don't have precise rules determining how long it will take to improve any specific condition, we really can't estimate at the outset what counseling will ultimately cost. Factors to consider, however, would be the length of treatment, the severity of the problem, and the kind of therapy involved. If you are considering counseling, a better question might be "What will this problem cost me if I don't get help?" 

8. Will my medical insurance cover my counseling fees?

They will in most cases. If you need us to select a counselor covered under your particular insurance plan, please ask to speak with Fran Flynn. You may reach her at 804-378-3364 in our Huguenot office. She will also be able to assist you with verifying benefits and authorization requirements.

9. Do you have a sliding scale, or offer any kind of financial assistance?

Unfortunately, we are not in a position to subsidize our services. However, opportunities for assistance are available through a variety of social service organizations. As a private counseling group, Christian Counseling Associates does not receive any funding from outside sources. We pay our counselors from the fees we collect from clients, health insurance companies and other third party payors. We have staff enrolled in nearly all of the major insurance provider networks. Some health insurance policies pay for our services on an out-of-network basis as well.

10. What if I am in a crisis? 

We have counselors trained in crisis management and crisis intervention who can help you get through an emergency situation in the best way possible. Once you are feeling better, they will help you get a clearer view of what went wrong, and offer alternative solutions to enable you to decide how you would like to handle events differently in the future. If you or someone else is in a psychiatric crisis or is a danger to self or others, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

11. Can counseling help me overcome problems stemming from childhood abuse?

We have helped many clients suffering from childhood abuse. Typically, people who have been traumatized by childhood abuse come to us complaining about difficulties with sleeping, loss of appetite, repetitive nightmares, inability to trust others, and inability to form lasting relationships out of fear of being hurt. A counselor who has special training in post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be able to help you resolve those issues. Obviously, no one can change the actual events of your childhood; but with the proper help, you may be able to safely look at your past, and may also be able to understand what happened, as well as some of the reasons why those events occurred. From there counseling can help you assign proper responsibility to those who abused you, enable you to grieve for the losses associated with that abuse, and move toward a positive future that will honor your strength in surviving as well as build new skills to help you thrive from that point forward.

12. Will "marriage counseling" help me, if my spouse won't come? 

Yes, it can. Even if you come in by yourself, you can expect to gain perspective and insight, as well as strategies to help you cope with the difficulties you are experiencing in your marriage. Our counselors will help you set your goals, and give you "marriage work" to help you obtain them. Although we can't force a spouse to participate, we can certainly offer every encouragement to do so. 

We welcome questions and will be happy to consult with you to clarify issues. Please feel free to e-mail us or call us at 804-378-3364.