Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing the therapist that best fits your needs is highly important. Here are some frequently asked questions which might help you on your way.
-
We are located at 150 E. Cypress Ave, Suite 200A, Redding, CA 96002. When you come in grab a coffee or some water and enjoy the tranquil music.
-
We also offer online counseling via a secure video conferencing through SimplePractice. Talk with your therapist to see which fit would be best for you.
-
Yes. There is a parking lot behind the building or you can park on the street. It is all free so you don’t have to worry about meters.
-
This is a great question. Some people come to us with a personal referral or find us online. You can also read up on our bios.
But the most helpful way? Book a 15 min consultation call with the therapist you want to work with (it’s complimentary) and see if there is a connection and understanding of your problem and desired solution.
-
Most of our clients notice that therapy helps by giving them an objective, non-judgmental person to talk to about their life. Therapy provides someone who will listen and give honest feedback in a caring way. Our therapists don’t try to “fix” you but help to develop you to be able to manage your life in a more satisfactory way. Therapy doesn’t make the problem smaller, it helps to make you bigger than the problem.
-
We are trained in various methods that help you to talk about the problem in productive ways. Unlike friends, relatives, or coaches we are trained to hear you, reflect back parts of what you are saying to help you understand on a deeper level what is helpful or unhelpful. We then help you develop the tools and skills to move toward the goals for your life.
Do I have to lay on the couch for months or even years at a time?
You do not have to lay on the couch, although that would be comfortable.
The common misconception is that therapy is a long drawn out process that never ends.
The truth is, therapy can be brief, strategic, and focused. Or, it can be slow, methodical, and focused.
This will depend on you. Some clients come in thinking that they can solve the problem in as little as 2-4 sessions and find that they enjoy the process and support and stay longer as long as it is therapeutically necessary. Others think they will be in therapy for years and find they resolve their problems in a few months.
There is no wrong way to do therapy as long as you are open, honest, and trust the process.
-
Most people find that the 15 minute consultation is very helpful and the book right there on the spot. If you need to think about it, that’s fine too. You can always call us back at (530) 691-4577 and book over the phone. Or if you want to email the best way is to email billing@guideposttherapy.com and I will get you taken care of ASAP.
-
Contact us and see if we would be a good fit together.
-
We work mostly with teens and adults working through trauma, depression, anxiety, stress and burnout, parenting help and relationships.
-
The answer is it depends. People are complex and unique. For some they can have significant change in as little as 4-8 sessions. For others it will take more time. It really depends on the complexity of the problem and you.
During the process, however, We continuously check in with you to see how you are feeling and if you are making progress you desire toward your goals. If not, what needs to change with respect to the work we are doing. The process is highly collaborative and team oriented.
-
Generally, we are in network with Aetna, United Healthcare, and most Blue Shield plans. Each insurance plan is different, so the best way to answer this question is by having us complete a coverage check for your specific plan. Contact us today to request a coverage check so we can provide you with the most accurate answer to this question. All coverage checks are subject to how claims process and finalize with your insurance. Clients are responsible for the full session fees should any 3rd party payor decline to cover services provided.
-
Not a problem, I know it sounds like we are anti-insurance. This is not the case. We know many people utilize insurance as a cost saving measure. That is what it is used for. We just don’t agree with how they get to dictate the kind of care you get.
If you request, we can provide a superbill which will have all of the necessary information you need to submit a claim to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. We have experienced that most insurance companies have some sort of Out of Network benefits depending on your plan and benefit.
We suggest that you call your insurance provider with questions to see what those benefits may be.
Regardless of the outcome of the claim with the insurance company payment in full is due at time of service.
-
This is a great question and one that is complex and would best be answered in your consultation call. However, here is a brief overview:
We have decided not to work directly with most insurance companies for a number of reasons.
The most important reason is you. We want to give you the best care you deserve. Because we are considered out of network we replace insurance demands with a focus on you the client.
We can then deliver the best care in a comfortable, un-rushed setting. Our therapists take the time necessary with each client to get to know you, not ensure insurance gets what it wants. We want to take time to diagnose and work through underlying problems, answer your questions, discuss treatment goals, and deliver personalized care that best suits your needs.
Insurance will require us to give you a mental disorder diagnosis. While this is an industry standard, we don’t want it to be something that labels you. We have found that some of our clients just need help building life skills and confidence. However, that mental disorder diagnosis would go on your permanent medical record even after resolving the problem.
Many insurance companies put extensive restrictions on what types of services they will cover or how many times you can participate in therapy. For example, the majority of companies put limitations on frequency (how often you can go to therapy), type (what interventions are or are not covered), and time (how long sessions can be) of treatment you get. So because of these restrictions, many of your choices about treatment options are limited.
For example you have a problem that takes 45 minutes to work though, covered. Maybe, you have a deeper issue and takes 60-90 minutes to work though, may or may not be covered. What a hassle.
We want the decisions about your treatment to be between you, your therapist and what is best for you, and not have a third party involved in making those decisions who has no idea what’s happening in your life.
Finally, if you are wanting complete anonymity/confidentiality, billing insurance jeopardizes this. If a bill is submitted to your insurance company, your confidential information is then processed by the insurance company and stored by the insurance company. Additionally, insurance can ask to see your records and if you don’t comply they can withhold payment. We find this to be not in the best interest of you or your mental health.