Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make a Online Therapy appointment?

You can make an appointment through our online portal. Click here make appointment now.



What does LISW mean?

LISW is the accronym for Licensed Independant Social Worker. Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) allows an individual to provide social work services without supervision.



What does LADAC mean?

LADAC is the acyonym for Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor. Licensure is based on education, supervised practice, and examination.



How does online counseling work?

It's using a digital platform to communicate with voice, visual, platform sharing, and texting. With the advent of technology and the CORONA VIRUS 19 more of our daily lives have become electronic interactions. I use a two different secure video platforms for my appointments. 1. https://www.therapyportal.com/p/woolley/ Most insurances accepted. 2. https://meet.google.com/ Client pay with Insurance SuperBill provided to client to submit to insurance.



How do you treat Intimate Relationship Conflict?

Maybe you have communication difficulties, arguing, verbal or physical abuse. We can start with the individual work you need to do to set boundaries, establish fair fighting rules, say no, how to disagree, learning what it means to take care of yourself.

Maybe you have been working on your personal work and you want a deeper bonding, deeper communication, parental involvement and a sense of teamwork.



I need immediate help or someone else will harm themselves?

Contact one of these agencies for more help. Emergency: 911
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1- 800-799-7233
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433)
Crisis Text Line: Text "DESERVE" TO 741-741
Lifeline Crisis Chat (Online live messaging): suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/
Self-Harm Hotline: 1-800-DONT CUT (1-800-366-8288)
Planned Parenthood Hotline: 1-800-230-PLAN (7526)
American Association of Poison Control Centers: 1-800-222-1222
National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency Hope Line: 1-800-622-2255
National Crisis Line - Anorexia and Bulimia: 1-800-233-4357
GLBT Hotline: 1-888-843-4564
AIDS Crisis Line: 1-800-221-7044
Veterans Crisis Line: www.veteranscrisisline.net
Suicide Prevention Wiki: suicideprevention.wikia.com



Am I safe from COVID-19 during therapy?

E-Therapy is a safe and secure way for you to have therapy sessions, and to provide you with the essential support you need during COVID-19.



I am concerned about my childs stress level from being stuck at home because of being quarantined from COVID-19. Is E'THerapy a good option for her?

It is understandable that emotions are running high with the pandemic COVID-19 and how that can complicate If she is suffering from depression, anxiety or any other mental health related issues, online E'Therapy sessions can provide a positive caring setting. I can help to reassure your child and support them through any difficulties they’re currently experiencing.



What is Holistic Therapy?

Holistic therapy refers to understanding the person is connected and affected by all parts. These parts are defined as the emotional, physcial, social, and spiritual. Instead of treating the symptoms we will look at the whole person. Unraveling the stress response with understanding of empathy and self love.



Appointments and Cancellations Policy

It is important that therapists make themselves exclusively available for their clients for their sessions. This aids in the therapeutic bond that must develop in an atmosphere of trust and caring. It is equally important that our clients make themselves available for that same time period in order to show a commitment to the therapeutic process.

It is in that spirit that we have generated the following policy regarding clients not showing up for scheduled appointments.

  • All Woolley Counseling, LLC clients are required to give 24 hours prior notification to their therapist that they will not be making their scheduled appointment, except in cases of emergency. Failure to cancel within this period will result in a charge for the session of $45 payable directly to the therapist.

  • If two consecutive appointments are missed without prior notification, that client's case will be considered closed. The client will be notified of this.

  • In the case of a Medicaid client, no fee will be assessed for missed sessions without prior notification. However, all other clients will be charged $25 for sessions missed without appropriate prior notification.



What states are you licensed to provide telehealth counseling services?

We offer services in New Mexico, New Jersey, Arizona, Michigan. Other states coming soon! COUNTRIES Canada, & Europe. Other countries upon review. Since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic many states and countries are offering licensed therapist registration to provide services.



What licenses does Woolley Counseling, LLC?

Lic # I-2696 Social Work Examiners Lic# CAD0092671 LADAC Lic # 332822 School Social Worker



How do I request a 15 Minute FREE Consultation?

Please email woolleycounseling@gmail.com. We will respond with a couple of appointment time options to meet through Google Meet. ** Google Meet is HIPPA Compliant platform.



Fees for Services Rendered

The fee for each therapy session is

• $ 60 per session - (45 minutes or less)

• $ 75 per session – (55 minutes or more)

• $ 90 per Intake/Evaluation – (60 min or more)

Other additional services as requested- $26.25 per 15 minutes (8-15 minutes).

Payment is due at the time of service. Acceptable forms of payment are: exact-amount cash, check (insufficient-funds checks will be returned upon full payment of the original amount plus $45.00 for any returned check), or credit/debit card. In the event that a scheduled appointment time is missed or cancelled less than 24 hours, please refer to the “Appointments and Cancellations” policy above.

Why don't you take Insurance for services?

YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY: By using insurance, I am required to give a mental health disorder diagnosis that goes in your medical record. The clinical diagnosis is based on your current symptoms even though you may have been previously diagnosed. We will discuss your diagnosis during the session. Your insurance company will know the times and dates of services provided. They may request further information to authorize additional services regarding treatment.

IMPORTANT: Some psychiatric diagnoses are not eligible for reimbursement (ie: marriage/couples therapy). In the event of non-coverage or denial of payment, you will be responsible to pay for services provided. Robin L. Woolley of Woolley Counseling, LLC reserves the right to seek payment of unpaid balances by collection agency or legal recourse after reasonable notice to the client.

PRE-AUTHORIZATION & REDUCED CONFIDENTIALITY: When visits are authorized, usually only a few sessions are granted at a time. When these sessions are complete, we may need to justify the need for continued service, potentially causing a delay in treatment. If insurance is requesting information for continued services, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. Sometimes, additional sessions are not authorized, leading to an end of the therapeutic relationship even if therapeutic goals are not met.

POTENTIAL NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF A DIAGNOSIS: Insurance companies require clinicians to give a mental health diagnosis (i.e., “major depression” or “obsessive-compulsive disorder”) for reimbursement. Psychiatric diagnoses may negatively impact you in the following ways:

  1. Denial of insurance when applying for disability or life insurance;
  2. Company (mis)control of information when claims are processed;
  3. Loss of confidentiality due to the increased number of persons handling claims;
  4. Loss of employment and/or repercussions of a diagnosis in situations where you may be required to reveal a mental health disorder diagnosis on your record. This includes but is not limited to: applying for a job, financial aid, and/or concealed weapons permits.
  5. A psychiatric diagnosis can be brought into a court case (ie: divorce court, family law, criminal, etc.).

It is important that you’re an informed consumer. This allows you to take charge regarding your health and medical record.



REASONS I OFFER SELF PAY

  • Reduced Ability to Choose: Most health care plans today (insurance, PPO, HMO, etc.) offer little coverage and/or reimbursement for mental health services. Most HMOs and PPOs require “preauthorization” before you can receive services. This means you must call the company and justify why you are seeking therapeutic services in order for you to receive reimbursement. The insurance representative, who may or may not be a mental health professional, will decide whether services will be allowed. If authorization is given, you are often restricted to seeing the providers on the insurance company’s list. Reimbursement is reduced if you choose someone who is not on the contracted list; consequently, your choice of providers is often significantly restricted.

  • Pre-Authorization and Reduced Confidentiality: Insurance typically authorizes several therapy sessions at a time. When these sessions are finished, your therapist must justify the need for continued services. Sometimes additional sessions are not authorized, leading to an end of the therapeutic relationship even if therapeutic goals are not completely met. Your insurance company may require additional clinical information that is confidential in order to approve or justify a continuation of services. Confidentiality cannot be assured or guaranteed when an insurance company requires information to approve continued services. Even if the therapist justifies the need for ongoing services, your insurance company may decline services. Your insurance company dictates if treatment will or will not be covered. Note: Personal information might be added to national medical information data banks regarding treatment.

  • Negative Impacts of a Psychiatric Diagnosis: Insurance companies require clinicians to give a mental health diagnosis (i.e., “major depression” or “obsessive-compulsive disorder”) for reimbursement. Psychiatric diagnoses may negatively impact you in the following ways:

  1. Denial of insurance when applying for disability or life insurance;

  2. Company (mis)control of information when claims are processed;

  3. Loss of confidentiality due to the increased number of persons handling claims;

  4. Loss of employment and/or repercussions of a diagnosis in situations where you may be required to reveal a mental health disorder diagnosis on your record. This includes but is not limited to: applying for a job, financial aid, and/or concealed weapons permits.

  5. A psychiatric diagnosis can be brought into a court case (ie: divorce court, family law, criminal, etc.).

It is also important to note that some psychiatric diagnoses are not eligible for reimbursement. This is often true for marriage/couples therapy.



Therapy

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