The first session can often be scary for the client. It is difficult to know what to expect and to know if the counselor and the client will be able to “connect” and work together on the client’s issues. To help take the mystery out of the first session here are a few things the client might expect.
1) Ross Gunn III, the therapist, will explain he is operating from a Christian Worldview. Often he will ask permission if he can start the session with a brief prayer. The client reserves the right to permit or decline this offer. Declining this offer will in no way impact the therapeutic relationship between the client and the therapist or damage the counseling process.
2) The State of Hawaii requires Ross Gunn III to inform you that he currently is NOT a Licensed Mental Health Counselor at this time. However, Ross is currently in the process of working towards that goal. Some of the implications of NOT being a Licensed Mental Health Counselor is that he is currently not allowed to diagnose mental illness or bill for his services through insurance companies.
The Laws of Hawaii State requires all counseling practices to do some paperwork before addressing any counseling issues. The therapist will be glad to email you a PDF copy of this paperwork before your first session. This will allow you to read it over and fill it out before the first session. Discussing the paperwork usually takes about 10-15 minutes. Some of the things covered in this paperwork are ...
- A) Skyview’s Professional Disclosure Statement: Skyview’s Professional Disclosure Statement. This statement covers issues such as... the therapist’s world view, approach to counseling, education, training and experience, the clients rights & issues, confidentially, length of sessions and therapy, clients responsibilities, counseling fees, the possible use of insurance, payment and contact information. The therapist will ask if the client has any questions before asking them to sign a page concerning the client’s “Acknowledgement of Understanding and Acceptance” of these terms.
- B) Intake Questionnaire. The questionnaire is fairly lengthy but helps cut down on the number of sessions. The questionnaire can be sent to you in a PDF format. You can either print the document and fill it out by hand. Or you may fill it out on your computer and print it.
- C) “Client Rights Concerning Unprofessional Conduct”. The client(s) should receive a copy of this document.
3) Once all the office paper work is completed, the client(s) can begin to share the reasons they are seeking counsel and the goals they hope to accomplish.
4) The client should be aware that the therapist usually takes notes during a session. If the client so desires, the therapist can read them their notes.
5) Paper, pen and a clipboard are available for those clients who wish to take personal notes during the session. Clients are encouraged to bring a folder or notebook to hold their personal notes and homework.
6) At the end of the session the therapist often asks the client if they would like to close the session in prayer. The client reserves the right to accept or decline this offer. The client may also transfer this privilege back to the therapist. Declining this offer will in no way impact the therapeutic relationship between the client and the therapist or damage the counseling process.
7) The client should bring their check book and their calendar to each session. This will help to make the payment process go quickly and will help the client be prepared to schedule their next appointment at Skyview Counseling. The Professional Disclosure Statement also describes other options for payment. These options, especially the use of any insurance, should always be discussed prior to scheduling any counseling appointments
Rates
The rates Skyview Counseling charges for services are...
1) For individual, couples, students, pre-engagement or premarital counseling the rate is $140 per session. Skyview Counseling charges by the session. A session can last from an hour to an hour and forty five minutes. This amount is best paid by cash or check to "Skyview Counseling".
2) For clients who want to pay via a credit card the rate is $145 per session. This amount must be paid in advance (before counseling takes place) via PayPal to the account at... Help@SkyviewCounseling.com
3) For clients within the USA wanting to counsel via the internet / phone / Skype the rate is $140 per 60 minute hour. For clients who live outside the USA the rate is $150 per hour. The higher rates help to absorb the fees charged by banking institutions - like PayPal. This amount must be paid in advance (before counseling takes place) via PayPal to the account at... Help@SkyviewCounseling.com
4) For clients who wish to bill their insurance company for their counseling the rate is $140 per session. The client is responsible to contact their insurance company prior to meeting with the counselor to see what part, if any, that their company will cover with insurance. The client would be wise to request from their insurance company a"Prior Authorization Code" and should take detailed notes during their conversations. At the time of the session the client will pay the full amount ($140) for the session and then the counselor will begin to gather and fill out the insurance information and paperwork so that the client can be reimbursed.
5) During the course of counseling the therapist often requests that the client do some homework. This often requires that the client purchase and read some books and/or material. In rare cases, the therapist will also request that the client take and pay for a series of psychological tests that will better help the therapist diagnosis and understand the client's issues.
References:
Insider Page Reference - (Reviews and Information)
