At this time Skyward Counseling only accepts self-pay. Superbills will be provided for those wishing to seek reimbursement from their insurance companies. Those opting out of using their insurance in this way may be eligible for sliding-scale fees. Eligibility is determined by one’s family size and household income.
There are several reasons one may prefer to self-pay. For example, some insurance company may need evidence that counseling is a “medical necessity” and/or dictate aspects of treatment, such as the number of appointments. Furthermore, insurance companies require a diagnosis that then becomes a part of your permanent health record.
A diagnosis may not be ideal for individuals who do not meet criteria, are concerned a diagnosis may be considered a pre-existing condition (potentially impacting future benefits, coverage plans, or life-insurance rates), or simply want their mental health to remain strictly between them and their counselor.
When you come in for your free consult, you will get the long answer to that question. The first thing we will do is review several forms including privacy practices, informed consent, and practice policies.
The short answer is everything that happens in counseling stays in counseling. The only exceptions are if the court orders information, child abuse or neglect is reported or observed, or if you are an immediate threat to yourself or others. Keep in mind that reporting suicidal thoughts alone is not enough for me to break confidentiality.
With that said, if you have been court ordered to attend counseling, this may look somewhat different. In those cases, I often have to report to social workers or other such parties (after obtaining a release of information). However, I still do my best to keep your stuff your stuff! I only share what I need to and this is something we can discuss more when we meet and as counseling progresses.
To make sure we are a good fit for each other, I offer free thirty-minute in-person consults (optional). You can give me a call or e-mail me to set this up. Once you are ready, I will send you a link via e-mail where you can fill out the paperwork. If you don’t have access to a computer, don’t sweat it. You can fill it out when you get here or we can fill it out together during your session.
