Here are answers to the most commonly asked questions about Renewal. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact us.
General Questions
Can I get counseling without having to come your office? Yes! Our counselors offer video sessions (Telehealth) that you can join simply by using your phone, tablet, or computer and clicking on the link your therapist will email to you. It's simple and secure. You can have a face-to-face session with your therapist without needing to come to the office. For more information, visit our Telehealth Info page.
What should I expect when I reach out for services? If you call our office, you will speak to or leave a message for either Heather, our assistant, if you are not sure which therapist will be best for you, or you can dial the extension directly for your therapist. If you have to leave a message, we make every attempt to return your call within 24 hours on business days. If you email Heather or a therapist directly, we will also try to return the message in that time frame.
You can ask any questions that you might have at that time. If you are ready to schedule, Heather or the therapist can get you scheduled. It varies how quickly you can get in depending on the therapist and both of your schedules at the time but we will make every effort to get you in as soon as possible. We realize it’s not fun to wait once you make this decision.
What is your cancellation policy?
We know that your time is important. When you schedule an appointment, we are making a commitment to you to be there for you at that time and you will have all of our focus and attention. As a client, your part of the relationship is to attend the sessions that you schedule.
We ask that you give 24-hour notice for any changes to your appointment. If you cancel after the 24-hour window, you will be charged 50% of your fee (if using insurance, that is of the full fee and not your copay or coinsurance as insurance cannot be billed for missed sessions).
If you do not give us any notice for missing your appointment, you will be charged your full fee for the missed appointment. Obviously if there is an emergency, sudden illness, or inclement weather, we understand that you do not have control in these situations and we will discuss it.
How do I communicate with my therapist?
All of our practitioners have access to voicemail and email and should be able to respond within 24 hours on business days. We also have an office assistant, Heather, who is also available by calling 317-730-5155 or emailing at [email protected].
Counseling Questions
Isn’t therapy expensive? Is it worth it? We aren’t going to lie, therapy and wellness is a financial commitment. Often, we don’t think twice about investing in our home, car, career, or our physical health, but for some reason it’s hard to practice self-care and invest in ourselves or our relationships in this way. Maybe it is time to change that!
Several of our therapists are in network with Anthem BC/BS. Most people with health insurance have out of network benefits and you can call your own individual insurance company to check for that. All therapists can email you a copy of a “Superbill” (a receipt that contains all of the information that your insurance company would need to process the appointment) to send to your insurance to reimbursement directly if you have those benefits. You are also able to use your HSA for all mental health therapy services.
I’ve tried counseling before and felt like I just talked about my life but nothing changed. There seems to be a misconception that therapy just involves talking about the past without learning how to take action in the present. At Renewal, we see the importance of dealing with your past, but our goal is to use that information to help make changes to your present and future. We are direct and engaged and we will not just sit and listen, but walk alongside you to figure our steps to make the changes you desire.
Does going to therapy mean there is something wrong with me? Shouldn’t I be able to handle this on my own? For starters, seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. It takes a lot of strength and wisdom to recognize that we might not be able to do things on our own. If we are all honest, everyone needs counseling at some point in their life. The stigma of going to therapy is lessening but it’s still hard for some people to take that step. Reframing the way you see it can be helpful to the process. Sometimes our clients tell us that the very act of reaching out to make an appointment brought about a lot of relief.
Is what I share confidential? Everything that you share in therapy is confidential except in cases of (1) you discuss immediate harm to yourself or someone else; (2) suspicion of child or dependent elder abuse; (3) in the case of a subpoena from a judge.
What can I expect during my first session? The first session is called an intake and will be a little different from any follow up sessions. We use this first session to get to know you. We might ask a lot more questions than we typically will in the future. This is also the time for you to share your story and what is bringing you in. You also have the ability during this and any future time to ask us questions and let us know your preferences and what you are expecting. At the end of the session, if this feels like a good fit for you, you can move forward and schedule your future sessions.
What if my significant other won’t come to relationship counseling?
This is a difficult situation that many people experience. Sometimes, one person isn’t quite ready to make changes that are necessary for the relationship to be successful. Your loved one might be feeling that there is still a stigma to going to therapy, might feel like things are not that bad, or there could be a fear that they will have to deal with feelings they have been holding in for a long time – maybe even feelings they had before they met you. You might not know the reason but if you are in this situation, it is not hopeless.
You are able to do relationship counseling individually. It is possible to work on your part and feelings that you have about the relationship with a relationship therapist. Your significant other might decide to join you as they see you making changes, but it is not a guarantee. Even if you are coming in by yourself, it is still going to benefit you to learn to do things in a different way and process those feelings.