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Frequently Asked Questions
Coastal Counseling Center
Will my session be confidential?
Yes. All sessions are private and confidential by law and ethical standards.
Information is only released by your signed release of information form or where
indicated by law. We abide by HIPAA laws and standards.
Are there limits to confidentiality?
Yes. While these limits will be discussed between you and your counselor during the
initial session, confidentiality must be broken to ensure the health & safety of a
client, his or her family, and/or anyone else affected. State and federal laws declare
counselors must break confidentiality in times of disclosed (or suspected) physical
abuse, sexual abuse, molestation, child or elder abuse, neglect, or domestic
violence.
What ages do you see?
We see adults age 18 and above. When family counseling is indicated, we may see
children and adolescents with their parent(s), but not as the “identified” client.
Do you take insurance?
As a rule, No. The only third-party payer insurance we take is Georgia Wellcare.
Our primary mission to provide counseling services to the uninsured and the under-
insured (e.g., a person’s health insurance does not cover mental health or
substance abuse counseling). We do reserve the right, however, for our clinicians
to become aligned with insurance panels in the future.
Do you provide Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counseling?
Yes. We are approved providers for:
Check with your employer to see if your company offers EAP benefits for
employees. EAP is short-term, solution-focused and has a limited number of
sessions with a counselor.
Do you provide pastoral counseling?
Yes. Our director is both a licensed therapist and ordained minister. A client may
request a faith-based / pastoral counselor.
Do you prescribe medicine?
No, only a licensed physician and/or psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, or physician’s
assistant can prescribe medicine. With a patient's signed consent, we would gladly
send information to his or her primary healthcare provider or psychiatrist.
Do you have a sliding scale fee? How much does it cost?
Yes. We have established a recommended sliding scale fee structure for counseling
services. You may click on the link to fees and download the fee arrangement. The
fee for services is based upon a person’s (or family’s) income and ability to pay. For
example:
Are evening appointments available?
Yes. While our “business hours” are 9:00AM - 5:00PM Monday – Friday, we offer
evening hours for our clients. Evening appointments are arranged through the
individual counselor.
What types of sessions are offered?
We offer counseling for individuals, couples, families and groups. It is not
uncommon for entire families to participate in sessions. There are, however,
confidentiality considerations when dealing with couples and families. For example:
What about emergencies after “business hours?”
When a medical or life-threatening emergency happens, it is important to call 911
and/or go to the emergency department at the hospital. Should the emergency
physician wish to contact your counselor, he or she will request that you sign a
release of information to your counselor so they might confer with one another
regarding your treatment there.
How long do appointments last?
The initial assessment may last between an hour to an hour and a half and sessions
after that last between 45 and 50 minutes. Family sessions may be an hour to an
hour and a half. Group sessions are usually offered between one and a half to two
hours (depending upon the type of group).
Do you see court-ordered people for therapy?
Yes. If a person ordered for an assessment by the court or a probation/parole
officer, we may provide this assessment. If ongoing treatment is recommended or
mandated, we may provide the treatment as well. There is an additional cost for the
initial assessment (see Fees).
Yes. All sessions are private and confidential by law and ethical standards.
Information is only released by your signed release of information form or where
indicated by law. We abide by HIPAA laws and standards.
Are there limits to confidentiality?
Yes. While these limits will be discussed between you and your counselor during the
initial session, confidentiality must be broken to ensure the health & safety of a
client, his or her family, and/or anyone else affected. State and federal laws declare
counselors must break confidentiality in times of disclosed (or suspected) physical
abuse, sexual abuse, molestation, child or elder abuse, neglect, or domestic
violence.
What ages do you see?
We see adults age 18 and above. When family counseling is indicated, we may see
children and adolescents with their parent(s), but not as the “identified” client.
Do you take insurance?
As a rule, No. The only third-party payer insurance we take is Georgia Wellcare.
Our primary mission to provide counseling services to the uninsured and the under-
insured (e.g., a person’s health insurance does not cover mental health or
substance abuse counseling). We do reserve the right, however, for our clinicians
to become aligned with insurance panels in the future.
Do you provide Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counseling?
Yes. We are approved providers for:
- Magellan Health Services
- Horizon Health Services
- ComPsych Health
- Cameron & Associates EAP
Check with your employer to see if your company offers EAP benefits for
employees. EAP is short-term, solution-focused and has a limited number of
sessions with a counselor.
Do you provide pastoral counseling?
Yes. Our director is both a licensed therapist and ordained minister. A client may
request a faith-based / pastoral counselor.
Do you prescribe medicine?
No, only a licensed physician and/or psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, or physician’s
assistant can prescribe medicine. With a patient's signed consent, we would gladly
send information to his or her primary healthcare provider or psychiatrist.
Do you have a sliding scale fee? How much does it cost?
Yes. We have established a recommended sliding scale fee structure for counseling
services. You may click on the link to fees and download the fee arrangement. The
fee for services is based upon a person’s (or family’s) income and ability to pay. For
example:
- A person’s family income is $20,000 - $25,000 per year. We recommend a
fee of $20.00 per session. However, that person’s financial situation renders
him or her unable to pay the full $20 fee. We could temporarily adjust the fee
per session and when the financial situation improves and renegotiate the
session fee.
- No one is turned away due to his or her inability to pay for voluntary
counseling services.
Are evening appointments available?
Yes. While our “business hours” are 9:00AM - 5:00PM Monday – Friday, we offer
evening hours for our clients. Evening appointments are arranged through the
individual counselor.
What types of sessions are offered?
We offer counseling for individuals, couples, families and groups. It is not
uncommon for entire families to participate in sessions. There are, however,
confidentiality considerations when dealing with couples and families. For example:
- A male comes in for a specific issue. After a couple of sessions, he requests
that his wife comes in with or without him. He would need to sign a release of
information as to what can be shared between the counselor and the client’s
wife.
What about emergencies after “business hours?”
When a medical or life-threatening emergency happens, it is important to call 911
and/or go to the emergency department at the hospital. Should the emergency
physician wish to contact your counselor, he or she will request that you sign a
release of information to your counselor so they might confer with one another
regarding your treatment there.
How long do appointments last?
The initial assessment may last between an hour to an hour and a half and sessions
after that last between 45 and 50 minutes. Family sessions may be an hour to an
hour and a half. Group sessions are usually offered between one and a half to two
hours (depending upon the type of group).
Do you see court-ordered people for therapy?
Yes. If a person ordered for an assessment by the court or a probation/parole
officer, we may provide this assessment. If ongoing treatment is recommended or
mandated, we may provide the treatment as well. There is an additional cost for the
initial assessment (see Fees).
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