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FAQs

Couples and relationship counselingin Mt. Pleasant, Charleston, and South Carolina

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(843) 212-1363

Therapy Process

Not at all. People who ask for help know when they need it and have the courage to reach out. Everyone needs help now and then. In our work together, we’ll help you explore and identify your strengths and how to implement them to reduce the influence of the problems you are facing.
The difference is between someone who can do something, and someone who has the training and experience to do that same thing professionally. A mental health professional can help you approach your situation in a new way– teach you new skills, gain different perspectives, listen to you without judgment or expectations, and help you listen to yourself. Furthermore, counseling is completely confidential. You won’t have to worry about others “knowing my business.” Lastly, if your situation provokes a great deal of negative emotion, and you’ve been confiding in a friend or family member, there is the risk that once you are feeling better you could start avoiding that person so you aren’t reminded of this difficult time in your life.
Medication can be effective but it alone cannot solve all issues. Sometimes medication is needed in conjunction with counseling. Our work together is designed to explore and unpack the problems you are experiencing and expand on your strengths that can help you accomplish your personal goals.
Because each person has different issues and goals for counseling, it will be different depending on the individual. We tailor my therapeutic approach to your specific needs and discuss what working together will look like in your first session.
Unfortunately, this is not possible to say in a general FAQs page. Everyone’s circumstances are unique to them and the length of time counseling can take to allow you to accomplish your goals depends on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the factors that are driving you to seek counseling in the first place. In general, both individuals and couples should expect weekly counseling for the first 3 – 6 months. Sometimes only a handful of sessions is needed for a specific concern especially in sex therapy.
We are so glad you are dedicated to getting the most out of your sessions. Your active participation and dedication will be crucial to your success as well as reflection between sessions.

In individual therapy the first few sessions will be about creating an environment of trust and also collecting information about your current concerns and goals. During this period your therapist will create a treatment plan that best suits your priorities and desired outcomes.

In couples counseling the first session is about getting to know each other. Your therapist will ask questions about what happens in your relationship that gets in the way of connection and what your hopes are for your relationship. Next your therapist will meet with each of you individually to get a big picture of your situation and learn more about your background.

Each person will be asked the same questions roughly. After the individual sessions, the remainder of sessions will be with both you and your partner. Occasionally it may be helpful to meet one-one-one with your couples therapist. There are no secrets in couples counseling, and when there is an individual meeting we will share with your partner the general outline of what was discussed.

This is a great question! Your relationships are your greatest asset and/or your worst liability. When valued as such, the cost of not getting help is often significant in terms of resources such as time, energy and money. Most of our work here at the Center For Improving Relationships aims to break intergenerational cycles of unsuccessful relationships. So the question becomes can you and your family afford not to work towards making secure connections for lasting relationships?

Rates, Insurance, and Policies

Pricing is determined by the clinician, time, and service provided. Prices range from $175 – $250 for Amanda and between $200 – $400 for Jessica and Jenna depending on the service. For intensive couples counseling sessions please contact for pricing.
While we do not accept insurance, we do provide a superbill that you may submit yourself to your insurance company. If you plan to request reimbursement from your insurance company, please verify with them first the amount you will receive after your deduction. We also accept HSA cards. We are happy to learn if/how we can become an approved out-of-network provider with your insurance company.

We provide one free cancellation per calendar quarter — regardless of when the cancellation occurs or for what reason.

After that, clients pay for all remaining sessions in the quarter regardless of attendance (unless we need to cancel on our end).

  • We are happy to reschedule a session within 7 days if our time allows.
  • Clients may terminate or take an extended break at any time.
  • Clients are not obligated to attend therapy through the whole quarter.

The Center closes for the following holidays unless you and your therapist have made an alternative arrangement:

  • Memorial Day: Three-day weekend
  • 1-2 consecutive weeks: Dates TBD by your clinician
  • July 4th: Three-day weekend
  • Labor Day: Three-day weekend
  • Thanksgiving: All Week
  • End of Year: December 22 – New Year’s Holiday

Under the No Surprises Act (H.R. 133 – effective January 1, 2022), health care providers need to give clients or patients who do not have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

This Good Faith Estimate (GFE) shows the costs of items and services you can reasonably expect for your health care needs.

You have the right to receive a GFE for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services.

The GFE does not include any unknown or unexpected costs that may arise during treatment. You may experience additional charges if complications or exceptional circumstances occur.

  • If you receive a bill at least $400 more than your GFE, you may dispute or appeal the bill.
  • You may contact the health care provider or facility listed to let them know the billed charges are higher than the GFE. You may ask them to update the bill to match the GFE, negotiate the bill, or ask if financial assistance is available.

 

You may also start a dispute resolution process with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). If you choose to use the dispute resolution process, you must start the dispute process within 120 calendar days (about four months) of the date on the original bill.

There is a $25 fee to use the dispute process. If the agency reviewing your dispute agrees with you, you will have to pay the price on this GFE. If the agency disagrees with you and agrees with the health care provider or facility, you will have to pay the higher amount.

Make sure your health care provider gives you a GFE within the following timeframes:

  • If the service is scheduled at least three business days before the appointment date, no later than one business day after the date of scheduling;
  • If the service is scheduled at least ten business days before the appointment date, no later than three business days after the date of schedule; or
  • If the uninsured or self-pay client requests a GFE (without scheduling the service), no later than three business days after the date of the request. Healthcare providers must supply a new GFE within the specified timeframes if the patient reschedules the requested item or service.

Note: A Good Faith Estimate is for your awareness only and does not require immediate financial commitment or payment.

To learn more, go to www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 800-985-3059.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate or the dispute process, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 800-985-3059. 

Keep a copy of this Good Faith Estimate in a safe place or take pictures of it. You may need it if you receive a bill in a higher amount.

If you have questions or concerns, please reach out.