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Call for an appointment: (630) 406-0075 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Benefits of Therapy? What are the benefits of therapy?The benefits of therapy are learning about yourself, understanding the people who have most influenced you, and making decisions about how you want to live. This is a process of self-discovery that, while at times may be painful, can be extremely rewarding in terms of emotional freedom, awareness, and self-expression. How frequently do I need to come to therapy, and for how long?Sessions are typically scheduled every other week unless clients request sessions more frequently. Two weeks between sessions gives people an opportunity to implement new behaviors and then discuss what happened at the next session. If “nothing has changed,” we have an opportunity to discuss what got in the way. The actual length of the therapy process depends on what is meaningful change for you. In many cases, people report the process of genuine growth and integrating behavioral changes that promote lasting transformation are just as rewarding as the desired outcome. There is a saying in the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous: “Don’t give up before the miracle happens.” Sometimes people miss meaningful life-altering events if change isn’t given time to happen. What if my spouse won’t come to therapy?Have you ever seen the ripple across a pond or lake when a stone is dropped in the water? Something similar happens when even one person attends therapy and begins making positive changes in how they relate to their spouse. Although it is preferable for both spouses to be involved in therapy, one person can create positive ripples of change by taking responsibility for their role in the marital difficulties and changing their relational patterns. Sometimes when the non-attending spouse starts to see these changes in the spouse attending therapy, it prompts him/her to start coming to sessions. Will my insurance cover therapy?Changing Patterns is on insurance panels of Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Private Health Care Systems, and HMOI, Fox Valley Site number 199. Some insurance companies have restrictions on what conditions they will cover, such as marital counseling or situations that do not meet medical criteria, called “medical necessity.” Insurance companies that do cover marriage counseling require that one person has a diagnosable condition that meets medical necessity criteria, such as depression or anxiety. To find out what your insurance covers, call the mental health number on the back of your insurance card to inquire about your outpatient mental health benefits. Ask for information such as:
What are therapy fees and how do I pay for my sessions?Therapy fees vary based on your insurance coverage. If you decide to self-pay, a sliding fee scale is used based on your combined gross income. Payment may be made in several ways:
Can I be sure my information will be kept confidential?The information you share with Changing Patterns is kept strictly confidential and in compliance with state and federal laws, including the Health Information Portability Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). If you choose to give authorization for Changing Patterns to submit a claim for reimbursement to your insurance, confidentiality issues can arise. Some people choose not to submit claims to their insurance plans because their personal information may be shared with national insurance databases. In these instances, other insurance plans can have access to information about your diagnosis and other details from the insurance claim which may affect future availability of other types of insurance for you or your employment. As a result, some people choose self-pay in order to avoid potential misuse of their personal information. What is your cancellation policy?Changing Patterns requires a 24-hour cancellation. Sessions that are not cancelled within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment or are missed entirely will be charged the full fee. Insurance companies do not cover missed appointments. What are your hours?Appointments are available Monday through Friday during day and evening hours.
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