New Client Set Up:
To start treatment with us, call 570-748-7173 to speak with a member of our team. They will collect information from you like your reason for seeking treatment, scheduling preferences, and insurance info. This will help us to place you with a clinician that will be a good fit.
Once you have scheduled your intake appointment, follow the instructions below:
1. Follow the instructions in your email to access your client portal. You can also access the portal by clicking here
2. Complete the applications within your client portal. For adults, this include the general application, life events screening, and planning for distress form. For children, guardians and/or adolescent child should also complete the developmental history.
3. Don't forget to sign the admissions packet! This form outlines many helpful policies and is your consent to treatment. It is found in the files folder within your portal.
Please note: the client portal is essential for gaining e-signatures if treatment takes place offsite, such as by video or phone. No printer is needed, and this portal can be accessed via your phone!
Once you have scheduled your intake appointment, follow the instructions below:
1. Follow the instructions in your email to access your client portal. You can also access the portal by clicking here
2. Complete the applications within your client portal. For adults, this include the general application, life events screening, and planning for distress form. For children, guardians and/or adolescent child should also complete the developmental history.
3. Don't forget to sign the admissions packet! This form outlines many helpful policies and is your consent to treatment. It is found in the files folder within your portal.
Please note: the client portal is essential for gaining e-signatures if treatment takes place offsite, such as by video or phone. No printer is needed, and this portal can be accessed via your phone!
What is Counseling? Myths vs Facts
There is a lot of confusion about mental health services, mostly due to inaccurate depictions of therapy and other mental health services on television.
Counseling takes place with a licensed or licensed eligible clinician, who adheres to a strict set of ethical codes, state laws, and educational requirements. Counselors are mental health professionals trained in "talk therapy" or psychotherapy.
The fundamental goal of counseling is to empower people to lead more fulfilling lives, by way of improved emotional wellness, relationships, coping skills and insight. There are many different clinical approaches to "talk therapy", just as there are different styles of counseling based on different counselor's personalities. Some clinicians are more direct, others lead with humor, while some are more reserved and focus on listening deeply to a client.
Here are some points to keep in mind about counseling:
There is a lot of confusion about mental health services, mostly due to inaccurate depictions of therapy and other mental health services on television.
Counseling takes place with a licensed or licensed eligible clinician, who adheres to a strict set of ethical codes, state laws, and educational requirements. Counselors are mental health professionals trained in "talk therapy" or psychotherapy.
The fundamental goal of counseling is to empower people to lead more fulfilling lives, by way of improved emotional wellness, relationships, coping skills and insight. There are many different clinical approaches to "talk therapy", just as there are different styles of counseling based on different counselor's personalities. Some clinicians are more direct, others lead with humor, while some are more reserved and focus on listening deeply to a client.
Here are some points to keep in mind about counseling:
- Counseling services do not prescribe medications (psychiatrist do that)
- Counseling services do not perform evaluations for court or work place/school based accommodations based on disabilities (psychologists do that)
- The clinician-client counseling relationship is one of the most personal, professional relationships that exists! It can take time to find the right clinical fit. Be open with your therapist or their staff, as everyone wants to see you with the therapist that will help you the most!
- To be called a counselor in the state of Pennsylvania, one must be licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Associate Professional Counselor, Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. Psychologist are also trained to perform counseling.
- Counseling is not advice or being told what to do. It is helping you process through complex issues, gaining the insight and clarity needed to feel empowered to make your own decisions, while also helping to minimize symptoms of emotional distress.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
There's a lot of emotions around your first appointment--its a major step for you, and in some cases there may be little or no experience with therapy in the past. It's important that every client is informed and prepared to start their treatment with us.
THE INTAKE ASSESSMENT:
The first appointment is called an intake assessment. It is an information gathering appointment, where your provider gets to know you, your past, your current symptoms and concerns, and gains important knowledge that will aide in your treatment. This appointment is the basis for all future appointments, as it helps to establish a diagnosis and direction for treatment, based on your input.
HOW LONG WILL THE APPOINTMENT LAST?: Your first appointment is typically 1 hour, if your paperwork is completed prior to arrival (see instructions above for accessing the client portal where intake paperwork can be found). Please arrive 20 minutes early if unable to complete paperwork within the portal, and paper copies will be provided to you.
WHAT TO BRING: If not providing this information in the electronic paperwork prior to your appointment, then please bring your insurance card, medication list, any custody related documentation (if treatment is for a minor). A form of payment for any out of pocket cost is also needed.
THE INTAKE ASSESSMENT:
The first appointment is called an intake assessment. It is an information gathering appointment, where your provider gets to know you, your past, your current symptoms and concerns, and gains important knowledge that will aide in your treatment. This appointment is the basis for all future appointments, as it helps to establish a diagnosis and direction for treatment, based on your input.
HOW LONG WILL THE APPOINTMENT LAST?: Your first appointment is typically 1 hour, if your paperwork is completed prior to arrival (see instructions above for accessing the client portal where intake paperwork can be found). Please arrive 20 minutes early if unable to complete paperwork within the portal, and paper copies will be provided to you.
WHAT TO BRING: If not providing this information in the electronic paperwork prior to your appointment, then please bring your insurance card, medication list, any custody related documentation (if treatment is for a minor). A form of payment for any out of pocket cost is also needed.
