What is the process for responding to my call?
When you call our office at (301) 863-9333, leave your name, phone number(s) and any message, including options for callback times. Then, as much as possible, during those time frames, keep your phone line open unless you have a call-waiting feature. [Please note that it may take longer for your therapist to contact you when your telephone line is in use.] If you do not receive a call back within a reasonable period of time (it takes longer to respond if therapists are in session with another patient) dial again and leave another message, restating the nature of your call and, for clarity, state your phone number more than once. Please know that we will respond as quickly as possible.
What if I am in a crisis?
Clients in crisis, needing immediate response, are asked to contact Walden Hotline at (301) 863-6661 or to call 911 to assist in the immediate crisis. If you wish to speak with one of our counselors, please phone our office at (301) 863-9333 and leave a message in the general voicemail or in your counselor's voicemail. We do frequently check voicemail and will respond as quickly as possible.
My marriage is in trouble, what can I do?
Don't put it off, get some professional help now. Often couples are afraid to admit that there is a problem and they wait too long. The distancing increases, things are said and done which are hard to take back. The right time to start improving the relationship is now!
What kind of help is there?
There are many different professionals who can help: Pastoral Counselors, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and Medical Doctors. All have been trained in offering appropriate help. The training that each one has had will be different, so their areas of specialty will vary.
How do I choose which professional is right for me?
Pastoral Counseling is a unique form of psychotherapy that has the option of using spiritual resources as well as psychological understanding for healing and growth. Pastoral Counselors are certified mental health professionals who have in-depth religious and/or theological training and thus can address psychological and spiritual issues. They have chosen counseling as a vocation in ministry. Pastoral counselors are professional counselors and charge a fee for their services. They are highly educated and experienced. Most pastoral counselors believe they are not paid for counseling, rather, they are paid to keep counseling.
Pastoral Counselors are not medical doctors and may not prescribe medications. In situations where a pastoral counselor believes medication can be helpful, a person will be referred to a psychiatrist, a medical doctor who specializes in treating mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. In most cases, therapy will continue with the Pastoral Counselor, and the psychiatrist will supervise the person's medication.
Do I have to believe a certain way or have a certain religion to talk to a Pastoral Counselor?
No, Pastoral Counselors talk to people of any and all faiths, as well as to people who do not claim a faith stance. They are ready and able to discuss religions and spiritual issues, but the Pastoral Counselor will never "push" religion with a person.
Do Pastoral Counselors work only with individuals, or do they also work with families?
Pastoral Counselors are trained mental health professionals and, as such, work with individuals, families and groups. The person seeking counseling and the Pastoral Counselor agrees upon the nature of the therapy.
When should I see a Pastoral Counselor?
You should consider meeting with a Pastoral Counselor if you are experiencing emotional difficulties and wish to address these matters in the context of religion and spirituality. Pastoral Counseling is also an opportunity for growth apart from any crisis.
What do Pastoral Counselors do?
Mostly, we help you talk about the current situation in a new way. Providing a new perspective on the situation is the first step in change. We also help to increase the level of communication so that the thoughts and feeling which have previously been unspoken are brought out into the open. We also work towards lowering the tension level so that old issues actually get resolved. Sometimes we will also explore the differences in the families of origin and the results of our upbringing. We also assist you in learning new ways of dealing with relationships and life situations. In this sense, counseling is like a classroom learning situation. You acquire new knowledge about yourself, about relationships and about how to manage your life better.
How do I choose a Counselor?
Carefully! You will be sharing intimate details of your relationship with this person, so you want to make sure that there is a good "match". Feel free to call several offices and get a "feel" for the therapist. Most therapists will be willing to have a brief chat on the phone with you while you are searching for the right match.
What kind of questions should I ask?
You are looking for two things: their professional competence and their personal style. For competence issues you will want to know what professional training they have had and what professional associations they belong to and if they are registered in their profession.
The personal style of the therapist is harder to gauge over the phone. Mostly you want to get a "feel" for whether or not this person is one that you can open up to. Trust your instincts!
Who should come to the appointment?
The therapist may suggest some helpful strategies to lower your partner's anxiety and make it easier for him/her to attend. If, however, your partner still chooses not to participate, it is still possible to proceed with only one person present.
How long does therapy last?
It varies with each situation. Sessions are generally about 50 minutes long. While some people come a few times and others come for several years, we have found that an average number of sessions are often about 8 - 20 sessions over a period of 6 months to a year. Often by that time significant changes have been made in the relationship. Most persons come for counseling once a week, although this can vary due to factors such as finances, schedule constraints, and emotional need.
How long do I have to wait to get an appointment
Often the waiting period for Pastoral Counselors is quite short. Usually you will be seen within a week or two. It depends, however, on how flexible you can be. Most therapists will have evening hours, but these usually fill up quickly. If you require an evening appointment you might have to wait a little longer.
How much does therapy cost?
In general, the fees of Pastoral Counselors are lower than fees of other health care professionals. This is due to the not-for-profit orientation of Pastoral Counseling centers. It is the prevailing ethic of Pastoral counseling that every effort is made to treat everyone, regardless of ability to pay. At The Pastoral Counseling Center of St. Mary's, Inc., we keep our "overhead" charges to a minimum and are able to pass on the savings to the client. We operate on a sliding scale. Our standard fee is $100.00 per session.
Does my insurance cover your services?
Many clients request receipts to submit to their insurance provider for reimbursement for out of network service and are successful in receiving reimbursement. Some employee benefits plans will cover portions of the cost of counseling. Check with your benefits plan administrator to see what assistance you can receive.
How is the PCC funded?
The Pastoral Counseling Center is funded solely by congregations, individuals, groups and foundations. The Pastoral Counseling Center of St. Mary's, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization. The Center is governed by a Board of Directors. All donations are tax deductible. Your gifts make it possible to provide counseling, education and other services. Thank you for joining us in the ministry of hope and healing.
How is my privacy protected?
Federal law governs mental health providers. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has created client protections surrounding the use of protected health information. Commonly referred to as the "medical records privacy law," HIPAA provides client protections related to the electronic transmission of data ("the transaction rules"), the keeping and use of client records ("privacy rules"), and storage and access to health care records ("the security rules"). HIPAA applies to all health care providers, and providers and health care agencies are required to provide clients a notification of their privacy rights as it relates to their health care records.
At Pastoral Counseling Center of St. Mary's, Inc. clients are informed of privacy rights by counselors in their initial session. The HIPPA Privacy Rights are posted in the waiting area and clients may request a copy for their personal files. In mental health care, confidentiality and privacy are central to the success of the therapeutic relationship and we do all we can to protect the privacy of your mental health records. If you have any questions about any of the matters discussed in this document, please do not hesitate to ask our Privacy Officer for further clarification.
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