Before you schedule an appointment at Compass Family Counseling, you probably have some questions. Our knowledgeable therapists would be happy to answer these questions during an introductory phone consultation. You can also find our responses to some of the questions we hear most often on this page. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to know more or you’re ready to schedule your first appointment.
Is Counseling Beneficial?
Counseling and therapy can be very effective for relational issues and psychological disorders. Everyone has challenges and concerns that could benefit from counseling. However, there is no guarantee that therapy or counseling will work for everyone. That being said, Compass Family Counseling strives to create an environment that fosters change. Our job is to partner with you and encourage you in your journey towards healing.
How Long is a Session?
An average session lasts 50-55 minutes. Counseling can be a onetime endeavor or it can continue with regular scheduled sessions until goals have been met. The number and frequency of sessions depends on multiple factors that will be discussed and determined by you and your therapist.
How Much Does Counseling Cost?
We offer comparable pricing with other therapy practices in Central Arkansas. Depending on the therapist, you may be able to use your insurance and only pay the copay. Some of our counselors do not currently accept insurance and work on a sliding scale based on income. The price for group therapy sessions varies, but these sessions typically range from $40 to $50 per session.
We will collect the fee for your sessions at the beginning of your appointment. We accept payment in cash, check, or credit card, Health Savings Accounts, or Flexible Spending Accounts.
Do You Accept Insurance For Counseling Services?
At this time, we have some counselors who are able to accept insurance coverage through BlueCross BlueShield, Health Advantage, and UnitedHealthcare. Our therapists also accept payment via health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) that may be available as part of many insurance benefit packages. In many cases, we can also provide the necessary documentation for clients to file a reimbursement claim through their insurance provider for out of network therapy benefits.
How do I Know if Therapy is Covered by My Insurance Plan?
To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers. Some helpful questions you can ask your benefit provider include:
- What are my mental health benefits?
- What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
- How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
- How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
- Is approval required from my primary care physician?
What Is Your Cancellation Policy?
There is no charge for any session cancelled with at least 24 hours’ notice prior to the scheduled appointment. Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice, as well as any no show for a scheduled appointment will be assessed the full $100 fee. Any session scheduled on the day of service will be charged the cancellation fee if the client fails to keep the appointment.
Does Compass Family Counseling Offer Christian Counseling?
Compass Family Counseling is founded on Christian principles and values. Even though we are Christian counselors, we do not start a new client relationship assuming that someone wants a Christian perspective to solve their problems. We recognize that there are differences theologically even among the Christian community, and as such, we do not feel that there is a “one size fits all” approach to counseling. Instead, we approach the counseling relationship from the standpoint of meeting the client where they are.
How Can Therapy Help Me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. 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 therapy include:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals, and your 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 communication 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
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated 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, redirect damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it is right for me?
People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy. Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts, and creative blocks. Therapy can provide some much needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods. Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life. In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives.
What is therapy like?
Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, counseling sessions will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your concern, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term to address a specific issue, or longer-term to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is common to schedule regular sessions with your therapist (usually weekly).
It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process – such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors, or taking action to achieve your goals. People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives, and take responsibility for their lives.
What about medication vs. psychotherapy?
It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. Working with your medical doctor, you can determine what's best for you, and in some cases, a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.
Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?
Confidentiality is one of the most important components of a good relationship between a client and psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. Everything you share with your counselor at Compass Family Counseling is entirely confidential. The state of Arkansas affords the same level of privilege with clients and counselors as attorney-client privilege. There are several exceptions mandated by law that confidentiality be broken, which will be addressed below.
Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent.” Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your Physician, Naturopath, Attorney), but by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.
State law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
- Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
- If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threated to harm another person.
- If the therapist perceives the client is a threat to national security.
Get Started
We made setting up a therapy session with one of our skilled and qualified therapists as easy as possible, offering you three simple contact options:
#1 Call us at 501-291-3732
#2 Click here to fill out and submit our 'Contact Us' form
#3 Email us at [email protected]
When you call, one of our team members will discuss your appointment request and gather any necessary information to direct you to the best counselor to address your individual needs and schedule a consultation call. If you email us or submit a contact request form, we will call you within 24-hours to setup a consultation with a therapist who will be ready to serve you. Either way, we’re happy to chat with you to answer questions and help you schedule your therapy sessions.