Do I need therapy?
Only crazy people go to therapy, right? Unfortunately, this is a common view. Seeking help can be a difficult task, and you may feel uncertain about what therapy will be like. People come to therapy for many reasons; you may have recently experienced a major change in life, such as the death of a loved one, a move, or a work transition. You may be dealing with a long-standing psychological or relational issue. Regardless of what brings you, an important part of healing is walking through difficulty with a caring and compassionate person who can offer a different viewpoint about your concerns. With therapy, you can gain long-lasting support that will help you change unhealthy patterns and learn tools to help you manage the challenges you face. Therapy is right for anyone who is looking to improve their life by taking responsibility and working toward change.
How do I make an appointment?
If you are a new client, call our office at 601-362-7020, and our office manager will assist you in making an appointment. If you are a returning client, you may either call our office to schedule or log in to your client account on our website under your therapist’s bio page and schedule online. You can also begin this process here.
What are your office hours?
Our office manager is generally available during normal office hours. Each therapist has an individual schedule, and our office manager can tell you when your therapist is available.
How long is a session, and how many sessions will I need?
Each session lasts 55 minutes, and it is usually most helpful to have one session per week. Brief therapy lasts between 8 and 10 sessions. Some problems take longer to address, and some can be remedied in a shorter period of time. Frequency of visits and number of sessions can be discussed during your initial assessment with your therapist.
Are our meetings confidential?
Yes. Your therapist will not disclose any information about you without your written consent. We desire to help you grow, and being ethical and discreet is an important component to growth. If you need records released, you must sign a “release of records” form in order for your therapist to talk about you, your child, or your records to anyone else.
The only exceptions to this rule are required by law. They include:
- Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse. The
therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities
immediately. - If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The
therapist is required to notify the police. - If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make
every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety.
However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures
may be taken.
What can I expect at my first appointment?
During the initial meeting, you and your therapist will get to know each other and figure out what you want to get out of therapy, including goals and expectations.
When you make your first appointment, our office manager will direct you in how to fill out our online intake and biographical information forms before your first session. You may also fill out necessary forms at the office just prior to your first appointment, but you will need to arrive at least 15 minutes early to do so.
What is the fee per session, and how do I pay?
Depending on the services performed, your insurance company’s allowable charges, and/or your therapist’s licensure designation, fees for a 55-minute session may range from $100 to $189. If your therapist is in-network with your insurance provider, your fee at the time of your visit may be adjusted to your co-pay or co-insurance amount upon verification of benefits.
You are responsible for paying at the time of your session unless prior arrangements have been made. We accept cash, checks and most major credit cards.
What is the cancellation policy?
We require at least 24-hours notice for cancellations. If you miss a session or give less than a 24-hour notice, you will be required to pay the full fee for your missed session. We cannot bill insurance for late cancellations or no-shows. Watershed enforces this policy as a courtesy to other clients waiting for appointments who might be able to get an appointment sooner when others give proper notice.
As a courtesy to our clients we send out text message reminders for appointments. Please note these reminders do not serve as a way to confirm or cancel an appointment. If you need to cancel your appointment, please call our office at 601-362-7020.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes. All of our therapists are in-network providers for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi, Aetna and Fox-Everett. The following therapists are in-network for these additional providers:
Russ Schulte:
- Mississippi Physician’s Choice Network (MPCN)
Caty Coffey:
- Mississippi Physician’s Choice Network (MPCN)
We are happy to file insurances for you for providers in which your therapist is considered in-network. If you have a different insurance provider, we will be considered out-of-network. If this is the case, our office manager can give you a receipt for you to submit to your insurance provider for possible reimbursement.
Please be aware that you will be responsible for paying the full fee for your initial session before insurance benefits are established.
Before your appointment, please check with your insurance provider and ask the following questions:
- Do I have mental health benefits with my plan?
- Are there some diagnoses my plan does not cover?
- What is my deductible and has it been met?
- How many sessions per calendar year does my plan cover?
- Do I need pre-authorization?
If your insurance company denies reimbursement for services for any reason, you are responsible for paying your counseling fees.
What are my responsibilities as a client?
Your therapist will join with you in your life’s struggles and celebrations. At the same time, your growth will depend on the effort and commitment you put forth regarding your therapy. In order to fully benefit from therapy, you will need to be open, honest, and willing to share your concerns. Ask questions if you need clarification or if you have reservations. Please be on time to your sessions, and, to avoid interruptions, silence any communication devices. If you will be unable to keep your appointment, please call to cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours prior to your appointment.
What is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (P-LPC)?
A P-LPC is a clinician who has completed all of the state’s educational requirements for licensure as a counselor and have been provisionally licensed by the Mississippi State Board of Licensed Professional Counselors (MS LPC Board). All P-LPCs are required to practice under a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) throughout the completion of the designated amount of face to face clinical hours. Once these designated hours are completed, the P-LPC must pass a national exam and be approved by the MS LPC Board before gaining full licensure status.
Some counselors have independent, private practices but are housed within Watershed Counseling. What does that mean?
Some of our counselors are independent contractors of Watershed, and some have their own independent practices affiliated with Watershed. For the latter, this means that they share office space and collaborate with and utilize the services of our Client Care Coordinator, but they are responsible for their own billing, scheduling, and records.
