FAQ's

Here are answers to some Frequently Asked Questions that we receive from new clients. We hope that you will find them helpful.

How do you know if you need counseling?

You might need counseling if you:

  • feel sad, tired, moody, uninterested in things that usually interest you and suffer from sleep disturbances;
  • feel panicked, anxious and fearful most or all of the time;
  • are troubled by thoughts and memories from the past;
  • are in a relationship in which you are, or have been, abused physically, sexually or emotionally;
  • are a caregiver or living with someone who is seriously mentally ill, depressed or dealing with addiction;
  • find your family, friends, job, or self-esteem jeopardized by your actions or feelings;
  • experience dissatisfaction, lack of communication, or frequent conflict with your spouse or partner;
  • experience tension, confusion and anger in your relationship with your children;
  • are in the midst of a major life event, such as the loss of a loved one, marriage, divorce, caring for aging parents, work stress, loss of employment or a move to a new location.
  • feel direction-less, uncertain of what you believe or what life means; or
  • feel separated from God and/or your faith community.

 

How often would I be seen for  therapy?

Ultimately, it's up to you! Most people choose to be seen once a week, especially at first.  This insures enough frequency and consistency so that you can experience maximum change.

Can I choose between a male or female therapist?

Yes! The match between you and your therapist is vital to the success of your therapy!

How many sessions will I require before I am done?

Every person is unique and length of treatment depends upon several variables. The issues you would like to work on and the pace that you choose to work on them will influence how long your therapy journey will take.

How soon can I start?

We generally are able to ensure that you are able to begin therapy within 48 hours if your schedule is flexible. For certain requested therapists or requested specialties there may be more of a wait. We have some evening and weekend appointments in addition to our regular business hours for our clients convenience.

Will anyone know that I am in therapy?

Client confidentiality is very important to us at Hardy and Stephens and your right to privacy is protected by law. No one besides your therapist and our support staff will know you are in therapy unless you tell them. Your therapist will not share your information with anyone unless you request them to and give your written consent.

What questions should I ask my therapist to help me decide if this is the right therapist for me?

  • What are your credentials?
  • How many years of experience do you have?
  • Do you regularly work with people whose concerns are similar to mine?
  • How would you describe your style and approach?

How much does therapy cost?

If you have insurance that covers therapy, typically you will have a $10 to $25 per session co-pay; some insurances have a coinsurance plan instead. This typically means you are charged for a percentage of the total cost. For example, if you have a 90% plan, you will be charged 10% of the fees after the insurance pays their 90%. If you are not using insurance, we do have a sliding fee scale for those who qualify.

What if I don't have or don't want to use insurance?

We do have a sliding fee at our clinic for those without insurance or those who do not wish to use insurance.

Will my employer know if I am in Counseling?

Not unless you tell them or you were referred by them and ask us to communicate with them at your request. We would not share anything with them or contact them in any way unless you ask us to and give written consent to do that.

What if I need to cancel an appointment?

We maintain a 24 hour notice for session cancellation. It is our policy to bill $85 an hour per session when a client cancels without 24 hour notice or when a client simply doesn’t show up for their scheduled appt. As a courtesy to our clients we do reminder calls one day in advance to verify time and date of appt. This courtesy we provide our clients significantly cuts down on the level of our late cancellations and subsequent no show rate.

Who do I contact if I have concerns or questions about what my insurance will pay for?

Please call your insurance to find out what your insurance coverage is. We will also call your insurance to confirm benefit information you have been given.

Who can I ask for if I have questions about my billing or my statement?

Ask for Karen to respond to questions about statements that are sent out. For billing questions you can speak to Julie or Karen.

What should I do if I feel a need to talk to someone after hours?

There are 24 hour crisis hotline numbers that are staffed with mental health professionals that you can talk to night or day.

Here are several: 763-755-3801, 763-236-7911, and 320-253-5555.

What should I do if I feel I am out of control or I am afraid I might hurt myself or someone else?

Transport self or family member you are concerned about to the nearest Hospital Emergency Room with a psychiatric care unit for evaluation.

Closest hospitals are Mercy Hospital (763-236-7911), Cambridge Medical Center (763-689-7723) or St Cloud emergency Trauma unit (320-255-5656).