What Can I Expect from Counseling?
We understand seeking counseling can be a very personal experience and we appreciate you choosing Lake Worth Counseling for professional counseling services. If this is your first time scheduling a session with us, or maybe even the first time you have decided to talk to a professional for guidance, we are here to help! We look forward to meeting with you and strive to provide you the positive support you need.
Ok, What Next?
First, our professional support staff will speak with you over the phone to schedule your appointment and get your basic patient demographics, reason for your visit and financial or insurance information. Next, we will recommend one of our licensed professional counselors based on your individual needs and preferences or you may view the counselor’s detailed profiles online for additional information. We will ask you to provide basic information about the nature of your visit and who may be attending (self, spouse, parent intake).
If you are scheduling an appointment for a child under the age of 18, we ask parent(s) to attend the first session without your child, so you may have the opportunity to meet with the counselor alone, review a full family history and make sure it’s a good fit overall for you and your child for follow-up sessions. This also helps you prepare for the child’s first visit alone and any uncertainty the child may have about attending counseling and meeting the counselor for the first time!
Appointment Reminders
Once we have your initial appointment confirmed you will receive an appointment reminder by email prior to your scheduled visit. You will also be contacted by our Client Care Coordinator concerning insurance benefits and coverage, online paperwork and any other information we may need prior to your first visit with us. We have a strict cancellation policy and request you give at least 24-hour notice if you must cancel or reschedule your appointment for any reason.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation & No-Show Policy: Please call with a full 24-hour notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment for any reason. Your counselor has reserved your appointment time specifically for you and may have a waiting list for clients to be seen. While LWC understands things come up from time-to-time and we certainly want you to stay home if you are ill, a late cancel fee will be charged in order to compensate your counselor for their time. If you simply do not show up for your scheduled appointment the full cost of the session will be charged.
Client Portal
Please login to the Client Portal with the invitation we sent you by email to complete the online registration process. If you did not receive the email for the Client Portal Invitation, please contact our office by phone (817) 238-0106 or email info@lwc.care. The online registration process is private and HIPPA secure.
Who Will I See?
You will meet with your counselor for the first intake session and discuss your counseling goals and expectations. Your counselor will also obtain a brief health history from you and discuss an appropriate treatment plan for follow- up sessions. The initial treatment plan will include how often you will attend, areas of focus, treatment methods and desired goals/outcome. Counseling techniques will vary given the individual needs of the patient and the nature of the complaint. Your counselor will schedule follow-up session(s) with you for a day and time that is convenient for you to attend.
How Often Do I Have to Attend?
Weekly sessions are usually recommended unless there are special circumstances. The length of your therapy is based on your unique needs and goals and you can decide to terminate counseling services at any time. However, once you make the commitment, regular attendance is important in order to make ongoing progress. Ultimately, once your goals have been achieved with therapy, you will attend a final termination session in conclusion.
Is Counseling Worth the Cost and Investment?
When it comes to improving the quality of your life, counseling is a smart investment! It may take as few as 3 to 6 counseling sessions to see marked improvement in your life. Many clients report feeling some relief after just the first session!
What is a Parent Intake Session?
It is important for the counselor to meet with the parent(s) first before scheduling visits for your child or teen. The purpose of this visit is for you to discuss your immediate concerns and for the counselor to gather as much information as possible in order to help your child. One or both parents may attend this session. We ask children stay at home for this parent-only appointment, so they do not interpret the first session as ‘punishment’ or primarily ‘problem focused’. Your counselor will also guide you in how to approach the counseling process with your child.
Our goal is to make your child’s first visit with us as successful as possible and for them to have a positive outlook toward mental health now and in the future as the need arises. In our experience, when kids attend counseling for the first time, they want to come back! Counseling provides a safe, confidential place to feel heard, understood and supported while making positive changes in life
Does My Ex-Spouse/Partner Have To Attend The Parent Intake Session?
No, your child’s secondary parent does not have to attend the intake session with you unless you prefer, however we do typically request both parents to consent for the child’s treatment. This allows for transparency within the counseling process and to help provide overall positive support for your child while they are in counseling. We ultimately hope to establish a good working relationship with both parents when appropriate but realize this may not always be possible for a variety of reasons.
What Documentation Do I Need to Provide?
Please being a copy of the child custody/visitation agreement for file. This legal agreement verifies who is able to make mental health decisions for your child in order to attend counseling. Texas State Board guidelines require us to have this document on file before the child is seen for the first session. We typically notify both parents their child is attending services at LWC, although it is not always necessary for both parents to attend or even participate if they choose not to. Please discuss with your counselor any concerns you may have.
Fees
- $145.00 – $225.00 for a 50-minute session with Master’s Level LPC/LMFT
- $175.00 – $225.00 for a 50-minute session with Psychologist
- $60.00 – $100.00 for a 50-minute session with Master’s Level Intern/Associate
- $145.00 – $300.00 for written Summary Report/Assessment
- $75.00 for a ‘Late-Cancel’ appointment (less than 24 hour notice)
- Full cost of the session for ‘No-Show’ missed appointment
Insurance
Please see our page for Insurance and Billing information.
