Frequently Asked Questions
Evans Counseling Services LLC respectfully welcomes people of all beliefs. We believe the challenges of life can best be met by considering the emotional, physical, social, and spiritual aspects of our lives. Counseling sessions are approached from a Christian viewpoint, based on academic study, clinical experience, and personal committed worldview and will offer a holistic approach to your personal difficulties. For individuals who specifically desire that the Bible be a guide and authority for the principles and direction of the counseling process, they can be assured that this will be the foundation of their therapeutic work.
Evans Counseling Services LLC provides more than just a place to vent thoughts or feelings. The goal is not solely to hear a professional share advice. By meeting with a counseling professional, you may benefit from sharing inner struggles, to gain a new perspective or reframe distorted thoughts or beliefs. The counseling process also offers a venue for improving personal insight to self, life, emotions, and behaviors. Finally, it can be educational and assist an individual in identifying practical tools to improve his/her quality of life. The established goals between the client and therapist will guide this process to encourage productive sessions. The goal of counseling is for the client and/or the family to come to a greater awareness through the process itself rather than the counseling professional.
Life is demanding. The struggles you may be experiencing could range from feelings of worthlessness, fatigue, depression, or anxiety to dissatisfaction with family, relationships, work, or self. The therapists at Evans Counseling Services LLC are trained and experienced in a wide variety of issues. Beginning with a thorough assessment of your present problem, family background, social functioning and spiritual resources, counseling can help you pinpoint the reasons, set goals for attacking the problem and help you achieve your goals. We are sensitive to the difficulty in seeking outside help. Consider setting an appointment to see if this could help you with your current situation.
Counseling varies in length depending on past history and present symptoms. This makes predicting length of treatment very difficult. Under ideal circumstances, both you and your therapist will agree when treatment has been completed. At the initial appointment, you will establish goals of how you would like to use your time. These goals will serve as a guide to make your sessions productive and time-limited.
In working with children or adolescents, guardians or family will be incorporated as appropriate. Our approach finds it essential to include parents in the process to facilitate communication and understanding between them and their children. Children and adolescents will be seen one-on-one to encourage their individual thought and emotion/expression. Individual sessions are offered to parents for their own support, understanding, and guidance. The goal is to encourage and facilitate joint appointments as it seems fitting for each family.
No. We work with the client’s family physician or a local psychiatrist to prescribe and oversee the use of medications when they are needed. Our office provides support and intervention through therapeutic services.
Counseling sessions are 50 minutes in length and are by appointment only. The fee for each session, or the co-pay required by your insurance, is due at the time of the session and may be paid by personal check, credit, cash, or Venmo. If you should arrive late for an appointment, your session will end at its regularly scheduled time. However if, for any reason, your appointment does not begin on time due to our lateness, be assured that you will receive the full session.
If you must cancel an appointment, please give at least 24 hours advance notice by leaving a message for your therapist. Forgotten appointments or last minute cancellations (unless an emergency or illness) will be charged the full session fee. Please note that insurance does not cover canceled appointments.
Evans Counseling Services LLC accepts most insurance plans under Aetna, AmeriHealth Administrators, Capital Blue Cross, Geisinger Highmark Blue Shield, Independence Blue Cross, Magellan, Medicare, Independence Personal Choice, Cigna and Trustmark.
Any arrangement you have for medical insurance is a contract between you and the insurance company. You will need to call your insurance carrier to determine what your policy covers as far as eligibility and benefits for behavioral/mental health services at Evans Counseling Services LLC. You should inquire about the conditions of coverage including co-pay, deductible and specific coverage if you are receiving telehealth counseling.
Here are some questions you should ask when calling member services. The phone number should be on the back on your insurance card.
- Do I have behavioral/mental health benefits?
- Is pre-certification necessary?
- Is there a deductible?
- What is the co-pay or coinsurance amount?
- What portion does the insurance pay per session?
- Is there a limit of sessions per year?
If our services are Out-of-Network, some insurance plans will provide out-of-network reimbursement for counseling fees. Filing out-of-network claims is the responsibility of the client.
If your insurance carrier does not cover or ceases to cover, for any reason, you are financially responsible for all charges. It is always your right to pay for services yourself and avoid all of the intricacies of insurance.
Under the No Surprise Act, healthcare providers are now required to provide to patients without insurance, or those who are not using insurance, an estimate of the bill for the scheduled medical services.
Evans Counseling Services LLC will provide a Good Faith Estimate to you at least three days before your appointment. It will include an estimate of the total expected cost for services.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy of your Good Faith Estimate for your records.
The relationship between a therapist and client is a confidential one. Information will only be released to others with your written permission, with these exceptions: if the client is assessed as a danger to self or others, or where child abuse is suspected. Pertinent information may be shared with the appropriate people without written consent of the client regarding these two exceptions. Further privacy and confidentiality information will be provided at the first appointment.