First, it takes a lot of courage to begin the therapy process.  It can be overwhelming and intimidating.  There are so many therapists out there, and finding the right one for you to meet your goals may feel like hunting a unicorn in the forest.  Second, you know that you want to feel better, and every therapist we know believes that they can help you make that change.  

However, here are some things to consider when you are beginning therapy at Embark.  We value professional standards.  If you are looking for a therapist that is committed to their ethical code, and aligned with best practice for their modality, you have come to the right place.  

Our counselors practice their craft with fidelity.  We are passionate about having the most up to date trainings and consultations in our modality.

Our counselors follow best practice with assessments, treatment planning and prescribing frequency of modality, whether it is individual sessions weekly with periodic parent sessions or family sessions. 

Our counselors are committed to ensuring that their clients have the support that they need.  It is common for our counselors to collaborate with other professionals to support your wellness.  For example, if you have a psychiatrist, your counselor may periodically get updates or give updates, with your participation and permission.  Our counselors also see healing from a family systems perspective.  Meaning we value the systems that influence your overall functioning, and incorporate interventions to support your healing.  We may suggest sibling therapy, family therapy, couples therapy, or a specific consultation with a school counselor, pediatrician, or other professional invested in your wellness, to ensure that all aspects of your life are a part of your healing process.  Of course, this is important only if you, as the client, are interested in this approach.

Ultimately, we care about you.  We care about your wellbeing and your healing.  We are skilled in understanding how different systems may influence your hurt and your healing.  We are here.  We care.

Seeking counseling does not mean that there is something wrong with you or your family. On the contrary, it shows that you are doing something right…taking care of YOU! When the issues that you experience begin to dominate your daily life, it may be time to reach out to a counselor to alleviate the pain, suffering and make a positive change to improve your relationships, and overall satisfaction in all areas of your life. The following issues are often the focus of attention when individuals and families seek counseling.

• Child behaviors and emotion regulation
• Teen emotions (anxiety and depression) and relationship challenges
• School refusal and academic problems
• Autism Spectrum Disorders and other Neurodevelopmental concerns
• Foster Care and Adoption Counseling
• Anger and Stress Management
• Anxiety (General, Separation, Social, OCD, Specific Fears)
• Traumatic Events, PTSD
• Developmental Trauma
• Depression
• Grief and Loss
• Couples, Relationship or Family Issues
• Life Transitions
• Parent Coaching
• Blended Family Issues
• Communication Skills

It is wonderful to be able to share with a friend or family member that you trust! However, a trained professional counselor has developed skill and understanding with respect to the techniques and methods that are necessary for your success with implementing change. Friends are not bound by the standards that professional counselors follow, and oftentimes are partial to your perspective and relationship, and this could create a hardship. Seeking the expertise and empathetic support from a professional counselor provides the guidance and insight you might need to develop an understanding of your situation and what you need to make an impactful change.

Initially, you will notice an improvement, or some relief of your emotional distress. However, it is not uncommon for this to be temporary. It is important to know that counseling may uncover some feelings that are deep rooted, and may make you actually feel worse for a short time. During counseling, as we build a strong therapeutic relationship, we will look at behavior patterns, thought patterns, emotions and situations that cause you distress, or situations that you may have difficulty embracing. It is common to experience a range of emotions, including anger, confusion, sadness and elation while you are in counseling, and these should decrease in intensity over time, and be exchanged with healthy and balanced emotions and approach to life in the situations you experience. A committed and consistent approach to your growth often leads to benefits that outweigh the pain you may experience in the beginning of counseling. For parents/guardians of children in counseling, it is important to embrace the child’s positive changes and implement the skills learned in parent meetings to meet the needs of your child as they grow and internalize their new skills. Parents feel better when their children feel better!

Initially, you can expect consistent weekly appointments.  This provides an opportunity for your therapist to gain a clear and thorough understanding of your internal working model, aligned with your values and needs, and set appropriate treatment goals with you.  Every situation is different, and each individual is unique. The length of counseling may be dependent upon the presenting concern, its severity and your goals for treatment and wellness. Counseling is usually more successful when consistent appointments are kept and recommendations are followed (including homework!). After the initial assessment phase of your therapy, your counselor and you will be able to discuss if it is beneficial for you to maintain weekly therapy appointments, or if your goals can be met with less frequent sessions.

As a Family Systems Practice, we pay attention to the whole system that influences the individual’s wellbeing and therapeutic success.  We have a comprehensive team that can address nearly any situation that your family may encounter, and in any combination.  This includes couples and relationship counseling, family therapy, sibling therapy and group therapy.

When you bring your child or teen in for counseling, the primary focus will be on your child and the goals we have established for your child. However, children flourish most when they are fully supported by their loved ones, and it is important for the parents/guardians to be a part of the process. We provide periodic feedback and an educational perspective through coaching and consultation so that you are involved in your child meeting the goals we have established, as well as learning new approaches to managing behaviors and emotions, aligned with your child’s healthy development. Typically, our counselors and therapists will meet with the parent/guardian every 4-6 sessions to discuss progress, goals and to provide guidance and tips for parenting your child, aligned with your child’s specific needs.

Family Therapy or Couples Counseling may be a necessary part of the process, and will be addressed as the need arises. If it is decided that you would benefit from individual counseling, in addition to your child’s counseling, you may be provided a referral within our practice, if there is a clinician you would prefer, or would be a good fit for you.  Otherwise, we would provide you with a list of referrals that may be a good fit for you and your concerns.

Our clinicians handle their own schedules, beyond your initial visit.  We do have a 24-hour cancellation policy, where the full session fee that was scheduled is charged if a 24-hour notice is not provided.  However, we understand that things happen that may be outside of your control, so there may be grace, as well. For more information, please reach out to our Billing Coordinator at billingandinsurance@embark-counseling.com.

Please be mindful that we have blocked our time for you, during your agreed upon session time.  We plan to show up fully for you at your scheduled time, and request that you prioritize this time, barring any unforeseen circumstances.  During your scheduled session time, we do not have the freedom to fill your time slot with another individual, as we limit our schedules to be able to accommodate each one of our clients to the fullest potential.  Therefore, if you are not able to make your appointment, your therapist also misses part of their dedicated passion of providing quality therapy services to you and your family.

We do not follow school closings to cancel sessions, so your session will remain scheduled unless you and your clinician mutually agree to cancel.  Please note that the cancellation policy will still be enforced, meaning you will be financially responsible for your scheduled session.

While some of the clinicians are contracted with insurance companies, not all of our clinicians are.  The client always has the choice to use their insurance benefits, or to pay fee for service for their counseling and therapy.

When using your insurance, we are required to provide a diagnosis, which may or may not be a benefit for future employment, securing other insurance policies or for establishing pre-existing clauses.

When using your insurance, your insurance company has control over your treatment, and has permission to view your records and determine your course of treatment.  If you choose to pay fee for service, you determine if the services are necessary, and how you would like to structure your treatment goals and progress.

Sometimes, insurance companies will pend payment, or deny your claims, leaving you responsible for a portion or all of services that you otherwise thought were covered to be paid.  Our Business Director will help verify your benefits and potential out of pocket costs prior to your first appointment.  However, it is ultimately your responsibility to understand your benefits.

If you choose to not use your insurance, and your counselor or therapist is contracted, you may be asked to sign a waiver declaring your desire to not use your behavioral health benefits.

Please make sure you are aware of the insurance plans that your chosen counselor is contracted with. In the event that your counselor is not on your insurance plan, Embark Counseling Services, LLC will provide you with a superbill for you to submit to your insurance company for any potential reimbursement.  Please be advised that if you do want to submit a superbill to your insurance company for out of network reimbursement, you are only eligible for our standard fee structure.

A Good Faith Estimate is provided to all clients either paying out of pocket or using out of network benefits.

Insurances that our practice is contracted with:

• Aetna 
• Evernorth (Cigna)
• Humana
• New Directions (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of KC)
• Optum (UMR, United Healthcare)
• Tricare
• Kansas Medicaid Plans (Aetna Betterhealth, United Healthcare Community Plan, Sunflower)

Finding a therapist that is a good fit for you can be challenging.  There are so many options out there to choose from.  And, honestly, it is not always the person who gets back to you first, or the one with the most experience.

Some important items to consider when determining who is a good fit for your needs.  Does the therapist take the time to listen to your concerns? Or, is the therapist more concerned about getting you on the schedule? Ask the therapist what their training and background is, including certifications.  If the therapist is not independently licensed, ask about their clinical supervisor’s expertise and involvement in your treatment.

What are some characteristics of your therapist that you need? You may desire a direct therapist, who challenges you, or you may desire a therapist who is more non-directive, where the therapist listens more, provides warmth and guides you through your treatment goals.  Although most therapists align with a specific theoretical orientation, not all therapeutic approaches may be best for you.  Ask questions about how they approach therapy, and how that will ultimately help you heal and meet your goals. The therapist should be forthcoming and explain things clearly for you.

Does this therapist have time to see you weekly? And know when you are ready for spacing out your sessions? You may have to be flexible with your schedule to see the right therapist for you, but the right therapist will have time in their schedule for you, and discuss the risks and benefits of spacing out sessions too early.  And, the right therapist will give you the space you need to feel emotionally safe, ready to process what is distressing you, and make sure that you are grounded enough to talk about the hard stuff.

And, can you see the value in what this therapist is explaining with what the session fees are? The right therapist has a solid fee structure, and can speak to the value of the session and potential treatment outcomes, including an estimate of how long you may need to be in therapy.  For big “T” trauma situations, it will be hard to predict, but this therapist will also be able to speak to the healing with big “T” trauma or complex trauma.

Ultimately, you are the one who gets to decide who is the right fit for you.  If you feel a connection and trust, this therapist may be a good fit for you.

Our billing department takes great care to make this part of your therapeutic process seamless.  Before your first visit, a Good Faith Estimate is provided to you so that you are completely informed on what our fee structure is.

If you are using private pay, or out of network benefits, the full fee is due at the time of service.  For your convenience, we run your credit/debit/HSA card that day, or you may pay via Venmo or Paypal.  QR Codes are available in the waiting rooms of each office.  We can also take a personal check, but we cannot accept cash.

If you are using your in network benefits, the amount you will be required to pay, either copayment or deductible/coinsurance, as determined by your health plan, will be due at the time of service.

If you have any questions about your fees or explanation of benefits, please contact our Billing Coordinator at billingandinsurance@embark-counseling.com.