FAQs
How does therapy work?
Therapy is a collaborative and individualized process. Therapy provides a safe, supportive, compassionate and confidential environment where you can share your unique story, life challenges and receive the support you need. The processes of therapy can differ based on what you are experiencing, and needs are. The length of therapy can vary based on your needs and the goal you want to achieve. You can expect to meet with your therapist once a week for 50 minutes. Your therapist will collaborate with you to identify and develop therapeutic goals and treatment plans that best meet your needs. For therapy to be most effective you must be willing, open and active participant, both during and between the sessions. Therapy could be challenging and uncomfortable. Therapy is not just about your feelings, it’s more than that. You’ll learn to question your negative thoughts and change your behaviors. Your therapist will encourage you to confront things you’ve been bottling up. To really get the most out of therapy, sometimes you will have “homework.” You might be required to do some assignments/work outside of session (eg. Complete worksheets, tracking your thoughts, read a book etc).
What Can I expect in a first session?
The first session is called an intake or diagnostic intake session. In your first session, your therapist will review your paperwork with you and inform you about your client rights and responsibilities. Your therapist will ask you many questions during your first session because they want to make sure they understand your goals, concerns, day-to- day functioning, and your history. The first 1-2 sessions are more question heavy because your therapist really wants to get a sense of who you are and how your concerns are impacting you. Your therapist will also want to collaborate with you to identify your treatment goals.
Is therapy confidential?
Confidentiality is one of the most important components of therapy. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement and you can expect that what you discuss in session will remain confidential. The Law protects the privacy of all communication between a client and a therapist. In most situations, we can only release information about your treatment to others if you sign a written Authorization. If you want your therapist to collaborate with your health care team, such as Psychiatrist, primary care doctor etc. you will have to sign a release of information to share any progress update.
However, there are some situations where I am permitted or required to disclose information without either your consent or Authorization:
Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse, for which I am required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s, I must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
If a client intends to harm himself or herself, I will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in ensuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, I will take further measures without their permission that are provided to me by law in order to ensure their safety.
Is therapy for me?
Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people choose to have therapy. Maybe you are feeling overwhelmed, depressed, or anxious or you feel like there are some unresolved feelings and emotional needs or you feel your past experiences are holding you back and impacting your current behaviors and relationships. However, you don’t need to experience any significant mental health challenges or experience emotional distress to seek therapy. You could also seek therapy to have a safe space to create more positive change in your life but don’t know where to start, self-exploration and growth, want to feel more empowered, want to start a new relationship or job, or to develop better coping strategies, problem solving skills or to enhance communication skills even when things are going well. Working with a therapist can provide a safe, compassionate, non-judgmental space and gain great insight and make positive lasting change.
When should I refer my child for therapy?
As a parent, you are your child’s biggest support. Only you can understand your child’s needs, whether your child needs help navigating normal developmental challenges or is dealing with something more serious. There may be moments in life when parents no longer have all the answers to their child’s challenges, and need to seek extra support from a therapist or counselor.
Everyone’s experience is different, and there are a variety of reasons to consider therapy for your child. Some of them are as follows:
Your child has shown a sudden behavioral change
Your child seems angry, scared, sad, irritable, and/or hopeless more than usual
Your child is using/abusing alcohol, food, shopping, sex …to cope
Your child has experienced a significant loss or change in the family structure
Your child has experienced a traumatic event
Your child is having a hard time adjusting to a life transition
Your child has regressed or is having difficulties in their daily functioning and habits
Your child has many fears or thoughts of death and dying
Is therapy a substitute for medication?
In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your MD you can determine what’s best for you. It is well established that mental and emotional problems, and the pain they cause, cannot be solved solely by medication in the long-term. Instead of treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.
How do I schedule a counseling appointment?
If you are a new client and have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us at 703-822-5703, send a message through our contact form, or email us at info@nuconselingservices.com.
If you are a current client, please visit the client portal to schedule appointments, access documents, and make payments.
Do you accept insurance?
Nu counseling services is an in-network provider for Cigna, Aetna, Anthem, and Optum at this time. For all other insurance providers, many insurance policies provide benefits that reimburse a portion of the cost of services provided by licensed professional counselors who are out-of-network. For out-of-network claims, we provide billing statements that clients may submit for reimbursement according to the benefits specified by their insurance plan for out-of-network providers.
How do I verify my insurance coverage / benefits?
Call the Member Services number on the back of your insurance card and:
Follow the automated prompts for:
Eligibility and Benefits
Mental Health or Behavioral Health
Ask to speak to a representative about your benefit details (deductible, copay or coinsurance) for an office visit.
Ask the representative if your insurance will cover a telehealth session?
Do you offer a reduced fee or sliding scale rates?
NCS does offer some sliding scale options for clients with a financial need on a time- limited basis. If you need a sliding fee, please discuss this during your initial phone consultation. You and your therapist will work together to determine a suitable session fee. We strive to make therapy affordable by considering such factors as income and number of dependents.