First Appointment Checklist
- Are you, or the person you are calling about, 18 years of age or older?
- Am I a provider for your insurance company? Check the Insurance tab for the list of companies, which is kept up to date.
- Do you have a deductible, co-pay or co-insurance for mental health/counseling services? I can check on this for you if you prefer, so please have your insurance card available when you call.
- Read the four documents under the Forms section before your first appointment. You can print/sign them and bring them with you, or I will have copies of the forms for you to complete/sign. The documents are in PDF format.
- Optional but strongly encouraged - print and complete the four screening tools before your first session and bring them with you.
- Bring your insurance card and co-payment.
- Want to get a jump start on therapy? See the Resources page.
- When you arrive, press my call button until you hear it click. The button is located to the left of the door leading from the reception room to the counseling offices. This notifies me that you have arrived for your appointment and because I run on time, and your appointment is reserved especially for you, you will not have to wait.
- About the reception area: As with any commercial building, it is hard to regulate the temperature throughout the office space. The waiting room gets quite cool during summer months. Also, because it is a smaller space, it is not set up for children to wait for you while you attend your counseling session.
- I don't have you fill out detailed forms before your visit as I prefer to get to know you through conversation. What can be very helpful however is to bring a list of your medications and dosages, and the name/address/phone of the doctor(s) prescribing that medication.
- View the map, directions and pictures of the office under the Location tab.
- I do not have specialized training in addiction or domestic violence issues. If you need help in one of these areas it is best to work with a provider who has specific training and years of experience. For help with addiction issues, contact the St. Louis office of the National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse at 314-962-3456 or ncada-stl.org. If you are dealing with domestic violence contact ALIVE (Alternatives to Living in Violent Environments) at 314-993-2777. The Power and Control Wheel, under the Resources tab, is a review of the signs of DV. Both of these organizations can help connect you to resources.
Contact
Calling is the best way to reach me and if I am not available to answer, you can leave a confidential voice mail message. I am diligent in returning calls the same day whenever possible. Because email and texting are not confidential means of communication, you are encouraged to call to discuss your needs with me. If you become a client, you will need to sign an agreement about the use of email/text messaging and the limits to confidentiality.
Website Photographs - Kathryn L. Riesmeyer. All rights reserved. © 2018
Calling is the best way to reach me and if I am not available to answer, you can leave a confidential voice mail message. I am diligent in returning calls the same day whenever possible. Because email and texting are not confidential means of communication, you are encouraged to call to discuss your needs with me. If you become a client, you will need to sign an agreement about the use of email/text messaging and the limits to confidentiality.
Website Photographs - Kathryn L. Riesmeyer. All rights reserved. © 2018