Commonly Asked Questions from New Clients
As LifeSpring’s virtual assistant, I’m the first person you’ll speak to and, hopefully, schedule an appointment with when giving our office a call! With that being said, I also encounter a lot of curious clients who have questions regarding the counseling process, what to expect, and what their next steps will be.
For many, seeking counseling is a huge step, yet a life-changing one. It’s completely normal to be nervous, unsure, or fearful at what this process will be like for you. When talking with me, I aim to be a helping hand as I get you connected and scheduled with a therapist that's right for you.
Clients who are seeking answers to some of the more common questions may have referenced our Frequently Asked Questions page; however, the amount of questions one can ask can be limitless! Those who are new to counseling, or who haven’t been in a while, may have some additional questions about the process, and I’m here to cover them!
I looked at the list of your available therapists. How do I know which one’s right for me?
Glancing at our “meet us” page is a great first step, and can give you an idea of who is currently offering services for new clients. It is not required for you to read through each therapist’s page prior to calling - but it could definitely be helpful!
Even if you haven’t read through, that’s alright! My job is to ask you about your current goals regarding counseling, as well as the areas you’d like to be addressed. From there, I can suggest a therapist from our office that specializes in the areas you’re looking to address.
While all of our therapists help people work through anxiety, depression, and life transitions, each one of them has a unique area of specialization. Therefore, if you’re looking for specific, you have a list of therapists to choose from! I encourage potential clients to take a look through our available therapists’ profiles to read about their experience, availability, and accepted insurances to help narrow down who they’d like to schedule with!
You can also read more about finding the right therapist for you in one of our previous blogs, “How to Find a Therapist Who is a Good Fit for You.”
Can I schedule a brief consultation call with one or more of your therapists? And if so, is it free?
Yes! Consultation calls are available at no charge for people who want to speak with the therapist before scheduling an appointment. These calls are 10-15 minutes in length and are used to go over any initial questions that you may have about getting started. If you are interested in talking with someone by phone to see if it feels like a good fit, this option might be for you.
What is the best way to schedule an appointment with one of your therapists?
Currently, we provide three ways for new clients to schedule an appointment.
You can schedule an appointment online by clicking on your preferred therapist’s profile and scrolling down to their “Make an Appointment” button where you’ll be prompted to create an online account in our client portal.
You can give me a call during normal business hours (9-5), Monday through Friday, at 410-497-8451 to schedule over the phone.
You can also call your preferred clinician directly to schedule —this is a good option for clients who would prefer to have a brief consultation first!
How you choose to schedule your appointment is personal preference and depends on who you’d like to speak with, and how soon. Phone calls to our main office will result in quicker response times.
However you choose to go about scheduling, our office is here to ensure that it’s a simple and easy process, and we are available to answer any questions you may have by phone or email at hello@lifespringcounseling.net.
How soon can I schedule an appointment?
If you are planning on using your insurance, we usually advise that the soonest appointment be scheduled 2-3 days out from the day you’re scheduling.
Not only does this give our billing department time to verify your insurance information, but it gives you time to complete all of your intake forms and requirements in a timely manner prior to your first appointment.
Clients who are choosing to pay out of pocket, whether by cash, credit, or a Health Savings Account, may choose to schedule an appointment sooner if they wish; however, we also recommend giving yourself enough time to fill out all required forms and documents as they need to be completed before your appointment can be held.
How much of my session will be covered if I choose to go through my health insurance?
You will want to speak with your insurance provider about coverage. When you speak with them, be sure to ask if you have a copay or deductible.
Our office provides benefit information as a courtesy, but it is not uncommon for insurance companies to misquote coverage! Ultimately, the client is responsible for knowing and understanding their coverage, and the session fees they will have to pay.
You can learn more about using your insurance for counseling at our previous blog, “How to Use Your Health Insurance for Therapy.”
As a new client, you’re going to have questions, and that's OK! As one of the primary forms of contact, I am here to answer your questions and redirect you to where you can find more information, whether that be through our blogs, webpages, or our therapists.
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How to Find a Therapist Who is a Good Fit for You
How to Use Your Health Insurance for Therapy
When is it Time to Seek Counseling?
How to Make the Most of Your Therapy Appointment
Working with a BIPOC Therapist
Before You Ghost Your Therapist…
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and How Does it Work?
Benefits of Online Counseling You Might Not Have Thought Of
What is Social Anxiety, and What Does It Look Like?
Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy for Children and Adolescents
How Do I Know if Online Counseling (Telehealth) is Right for My Child?
Top Reasons Why People Don’t Sign Up For Mental Health Therapy & Our Responses to Them
Search Our Other Blogs!
Interested in Counseling for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Grief and Loss?
If you’re a Marylander who knows that counseling is the direction you need to take, the therapists at LifeSpring Counseling Services are here to help. We offer online counseling services for mindfulness, depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief and loss. We also offer Brainspotting as a specialized service, and Brainspotting can be done online, too!
Here’s how you can get started! Online counseling for anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief and loss aren’t the only services offered at our Maryland office
The counselors and social workers at our Maryland office also offer counseling services for trauma, grief and loss, boundary setting, communication skills, and difficult life transitions. We also offer specialized counseling services including Brainspotting and spiritually-integrated counseling. Because we are located next to several local universities, we also work with college students and international students.
Written By: Madison Hager, Social Media & Digital Marketing Assistant
PC: Karolina Grabowska, cottonbro, Andrea Piacquadio, and Alex Green on Pexels
Date of Download: 2/8/2021
