Frequently Asked Questions
How will I know if you are a good fit for me as a counselor?
The most important aspect of a counseling relationship is how comfortable you are with the professional with whom you are working. We can spend a few minutes together on the phone discussing what you would like to work on, and I can answer any of your questions. If you are comfortable to make an appointment, we can meet and if after your first or second session you determine I'm not a good fit for you, I'm happy to refer you to others who may better suit your needs. You will not hurt my feelings telling me I'm not a good fit; not every counselor will be a good fit for every client!
The most important aspect of a counseling relationship is how comfortable you are with the professional with whom you are working. We can spend a few minutes together on the phone discussing what you would like to work on, and I can answer any of your questions. If you are comfortable to make an appointment, we can meet and if after your first or second session you determine I'm not a good fit for you, I'm happy to refer you to others who may better suit your needs. You will not hurt my feelings telling me I'm not a good fit; not every counselor will be a good fit for every client!
What if I don't have the same views on faith or spirituality that you do?
My job as a counselor is to help you with the concerns you present and to use my very best clinical judgment as together, we determine a course of action. Because I work with clients who have varied beliefs, it is important that each client advise me how they choose to incorporate their faith/spirituality (if at all) into the counseling relationship. In matters regarding specific practices or beliefs within a faith system, I refer a client to their pastor, rabbi, priest, bishop or other leader. If after we meet you are not comfortable with this approach, I am happy to help you find someone who might be a better fit.
My job as a counselor is to help you with the concerns you present and to use my very best clinical judgment as together, we determine a course of action. Because I work with clients who have varied beliefs, it is important that each client advise me how they choose to incorporate their faith/spirituality (if at all) into the counseling relationship. In matters regarding specific practices or beliefs within a faith system, I refer a client to their pastor, rabbi, priest, bishop or other leader. If after we meet you are not comfortable with this approach, I am happy to help you find someone who might be a better fit.
I thought you were a Christian counselor? That's what the person said when they referred me to you.
I am a counselor and a follower of Jesus, who was also known as Jesus Christ, the Messiah, from which comes the term Christian, Christ-follower. I want to be of service to all, within my skill and experience level. I am very happy to include matters of Christian faith in counseling sessions with fellow Christians; in our first session we can discuss what will be best for you. See the question/answer above if you have a different belief system. I participate in a community with others who follow Jesus (my church home), I have conversations with God (prayer), read and study the Bible, and try to live out my faith in my words, behaviors and actions.
I am a counselor and a follower of Jesus, who was also known as Jesus Christ, the Messiah, from which comes the term Christian, Christ-follower. I want to be of service to all, within my skill and experience level. I am very happy to include matters of Christian faith in counseling sessions with fellow Christians; in our first session we can discuss what will be best for you. See the question/answer above if you have a different belief system. I participate in a community with others who follow Jesus (my church home), I have conversations with God (prayer), read and study the Bible, and try to live out my faith in my words, behaviors and actions.
Do you offer a sliding fee?
I do not offer a sliding fee. I maintain several client openings for those who need a reduced cost option. These are usually always full. My fees are consistent with other professionals in the St. Louis metropolitan area who have similar years of experience as master's level nationally certified professional counselors. In addition I am trained in Exposure and Response/Ritual Prevention therapy and continue my education through the International OCD Foundation; am an EMDR therapist; have five years experience as a clinical supervisor and thirteen years of prior business and leadership experience. Larger counseling organizations or non-profit agencies rely on interns or provisionally licensed staff, grants, outside funding resources or other means to allow them to reduce their fees/offer a sliding scale. As a sole practitioner in a small business, I do not have access to those types of resources.
I do not offer a sliding fee. I maintain several client openings for those who need a reduced cost option. These are usually always full. My fees are consistent with other professionals in the St. Louis metropolitan area who have similar years of experience as master's level nationally certified professional counselors. In addition I am trained in Exposure and Response/Ritual Prevention therapy and continue my education through the International OCD Foundation; am an EMDR therapist; have five years experience as a clinical supervisor and thirteen years of prior business and leadership experience. Larger counseling organizations or non-profit agencies rely on interns or provisionally licensed staff, grants, outside funding resources or other means to allow them to reduce their fees/offer a sliding scale. As a sole practitioner in a small business, I do not have access to those types of resources.
That's a lot of money for a counseling session. I've heard insurance companies pay you pretty decent hourly rates as well. Besides meeting with a client, what else goes into a counseling session?
Outside of a session, I complete the clinical notes, billing (if using insurance), accounting entries, answering and documenting phone calls and/or emails, provide you with resources, develop treatment plans, make sure I am providing a proper diagnosis (if warranted), conduct research if needed, consult with a client's doctor or psychiatrist (if needed and the client gives permission) etc. For a new client, the time to research insurance coverage, set up the client file and accounting, materials/forms provided, researching diagnoses and developing a plan for treatment, and initial clinical documentation all takes a great deal of time, for which insurance companies do not reimburse. There is also managing overhead (rent, phone, utilities, etc), paying all taxes, continuing education, advertising/marketing, time contacting insurance companies about coverage for clients or reimbursement problems and other tasks of running a small business. I do my own billing and accounting to protect your privacy. I DO NOT use electronic medical records - I do not trust your private, deeply sensitive personal information to any computer system that has the potential, however remote, to be breached.
Outside of a session, I complete the clinical notes, billing (if using insurance), accounting entries, answering and documenting phone calls and/or emails, provide you with resources, develop treatment plans, make sure I am providing a proper diagnosis (if warranted), conduct research if needed, consult with a client's doctor or psychiatrist (if needed and the client gives permission) etc. For a new client, the time to research insurance coverage, set up the client file and accounting, materials/forms provided, researching diagnoses and developing a plan for treatment, and initial clinical documentation all takes a great deal of time, for which insurance companies do not reimburse. There is also managing overhead (rent, phone, utilities, etc), paying all taxes, continuing education, advertising/marketing, time contacting insurance companies about coverage for clients or reimbursement problems and other tasks of running a small business. I do my own billing and accounting to protect your privacy. I DO NOT use electronic medical records - I do not trust your private, deeply sensitive personal information to any computer system that has the potential, however remote, to be breached.
Your documents are so lengthy, it's like I'm reading contracts. Why are they so long?
You aren't wrong in being dismayed over so much detail. The documents are based on recommendations and requirements of:
You aren't wrong in being dismayed over so much detail. The documents are based on recommendations and requirements of:
- Federal laws such as HIPAA,
- State statutes,
- State of Missouri Professional Licensing Board rules,
- American Counseling Association ethical codes,
- communication rules/requirements particularly for telehealth,
- insurance company regulations,
- risk management principles recommended by professional liability organizations,
- recent rules/regulations related to public health/COVID-19,
- other professional recommendations.
What if I have to cancel an appointment?
Emergencies happen! If you are able to cancel 24-hours in advance, it allows me to schedule others in your reserved appointment time, and there is no cancellation fee. The sooner you can tell me, the better. If you have to cancel with less than a 24-hour notice or do not show for a scheduled appointment, a $60.00 cancellation fee applies. If I have an open appointment available where we are able to reschedule within the same week, I waive the cancellation fee.
Emergencies happen! If you are able to cancel 24-hours in advance, it allows me to schedule others in your reserved appointment time, and there is no cancellation fee. The sooner you can tell me, the better. If you have to cancel with less than a 24-hour notice or do not show for a scheduled appointment, a $60.00 cancellation fee applies. If I have an open appointment available where we are able to reschedule within the same week, I waive the cancellation fee.
Website Photographs - Kathryn L. Riesmeyer. All rights reserved. © 2020