CONFIDENTIALITY
All of our communication becomes part of the clinical record. Confidentiality is a significant part of our clinical relationship. At the appropriate time, our office may share your information with another counselor/supervisor within the practice for therapeutic /treatment reasons. Information given to STCC, including the scheduling of appointments, content of counseling sessions, records, etc. are confidential as outlined by HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act), and with our State laws & Professional Ethics that regulates our counseling practice with few exceptions.
STCC will keep confidential anything you say as part of our counseling relationship, with the following exceptions: (a) you direct us in writing to disclose information to someone else, (b) it is determined you are a danger to yourself or others (including child or elder abuse), or (c) we are ordered by a court to disclose information. Otherwise, your personal information will not be released to any entity or person(s) without your written consent.
INSURANCE
Some health insurance companies will reimburse clients for counseling services and some will not. In addition, most will require a diagnosis of a mental-health condition and indicate that you must have an “illness” before they will agree to reimburse you. Some conditions for which people seek counseling do not qualify for reimbursement. If a qualifying diagnosis is appropriate in your case, STCC will inform you of the diagnosis before we submit the diagnosis to the health insurance company. If you choose to use insurance, your diagnosis is forwarded to your insurance company so that you may receive your benefits. Any diagnosis assigned will become part of your permanent insurance records. The confidentiality of diagnosis and medical record is waved if requested by the court system or if you sign a release of information which allows your treatment records to be released to a medical or mental health provider. These stipulations do not apply in private pay practices.
Accepted Insurance Plans
CIGNA, BCBS of NC, AETNA, Optum/United Healthcare
Employee Assistance Programs
E4 Health, American Behavioral, Health Advocate, ESI, Cigna, Carebridge and many others.
To determine coverage call the phone number on your insurance card and request to verify benefits. Please remember that you are responsible and not your company for paying the fees agreed upon.
SESSION RATES
Sessions are 50 mins long. Sessions are recommended based on the needs and goals established through the Clinical Assessment. From there, a treatment plan will be implemented to support your remedy and success.
Clinical Assessment
Individual session
Family/Couples
Group
PAYMENT METHODS:
Cash, Credit/Debit, Benefits Card (Health Savings Acct)
PRIVATE PAY ADVANTAGE
Service without limitations, pressure or stigmas. When clients pay “out-of-pocket”, there is no mental health diagnosis or “illness” required for treatment. Most insurance providers require a mental health diagnosis in order for therapy to be covered.
Further confidentiality and privacy. Clients, who are private pay, are guaranteed that the only people who know details of therapy are themselves and their therapist. Aside from normal limits to confidentiality, therapy is completely confidential, without any third party being privy to information exchanged in session.
TESTIMONY: Witness
There will be a charge in the event you subpoena/request a therapist for their testimony as a witness. The fee is $2,000.00 plus a per diem for meals and travel expenses. In addition, fees associated with a hotel stay will be incurred if a hotel is needed when the courthouse is over 45 minutes from therapist’s home. All fees must be paid 7 days in advance of court date. These fees are not refundable even in the case of a continuance. These services are not reimbursable through insurance.
LATE CANCELLATION / NO SHOW POLICY
Self-Talk Counseling requires at least 24 hour notice, should you need to cancel or change your scheduled appointment. Cancellation/changes can be made online via the patient portal. If we do not receive notice of cancellation at least 24-hours prior to the scheduled appointment, you will be charged a $25 late cancellation fee. For missed appointments that results in a no show, a fee of $75 will be charged to your account. You are responsible for payment prior to your next scheduled appointment.
Frequent cancellations or missed appointments will prompt a reevaluation of your need for services. This evaluation may result in termination of services or referral. Rescheduled sessions are only permitted at the discretion of the clinician with proof of medical note or other evidence of attendance conflict.
CRISIS/Emergency Contact
If you are having a mental health emergency, please dial 911 or go to your nearest emergency room and ask for the psychiatrist on call. The 24hr suicide prevention hotline is 1800.273.8255. Please understand that email and voicemails to our office are not to be used for life threatening emergencies.
CHILDCARE
Our office, .therapists and staff do not provide child care. Because of the sensitive nature of our services, if you plan on bringing your child during your session we ask that you monitor their behavior and noise levels as a courtesy to other clients and our therapists.
COMPLAINTS
Clients are encouraged to discuss any concerns with STCC first. However, should you feel STCC is in violation of any codes of ethics, you may file a complaint with the North Carolina Board of Licensed Professional Counselors. STCC abides by the ACA Code of Ethics (https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of- ethics.pdf).
North Carolina Board of Licensed Professional Counselors
P.O. Box 77819 Greensboro, NC 27417
Phone: 844-622-3572 or 336-217-6007
Fax: 336-217-9450
E-mail: Complaints@ncblpc.org