What is counseling?

“Counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.”-ACA website

Counseling is a safe space where clients enter a contractual relationship with a trained individual where the client actively participates in developing goals and collaborating with their therapist to reach these goals.

If I need counseling does that mean there is something wrong with me?

Definitely not! In fact, I am of the opinion that everyone needs counseling, including counselors. Everyone experiences things in which they need an unbiased person available to help them find their truth, develop goals, and achieve those goals, whether personally, professionally, in relationships, etc. To normalize counseling, I keep a therapist on retainer to allow me the privilege of self-growth. This makes me a better wife, mom, therapist, and allows me to be the version of myself I most want to be.

Do I only see children?

No! Just because I mention my love of play therapy and the credentials I am pursuing does not mean I only see children. In fact, play therapy itself is not just beneficial for children-it helps adults, too! I see clients of all ages.

What is play therapy?

It is "the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained play therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development."-Association for Play Therapy website

Please visit the Association for Play Therapy website to learn more. https://www.a4pt.org/page/PTMakesADifference/Play-Therapy-Makes-a-Difference.htm

What is Synergetic Play Therapy®?

“Synergetic Play Therapy (2008) is a researched-informed model of play therapy blending the therapeutic power of play with nervous system regulation, interpersonal neurobiology, physics, attachment, mindfulness, and therapist authenticity. It grew from personal experience as well as research in neuroscience, Interpersonal Neurobiology, and attachment theory (see Badenoch, 2008; Porges, 2011; Schore, 1994; Siegel, 1999 for coverage of the ideas behind SPT). Preliminary research suggests that SPT significantly improves emotional tolerance and regulation (Dion & Gray, 2014; Simmons, 2020). Although Synergetic Play Therapy® is a model of play therapy, it’s also a way of being in relationship with self and others. It’s an all-encompassing paradigm that can be applied to any facet of life and, subsequently, any model of play therapy can be applied to it or vice versa. Synergetic Play Therapy® is both non-directive and directive in its application.” -Synergetic Play Therapy® Website

For more information please visit their site:

https://synergeticplaytherapy.com/what-synergetic-play-therapy/

How do I set up an appointment?

I try and respond to phone calls at (205) 919-6537 as soon as I possibly can. However, I am better able to respond to emails at info@harborcounselingllc.com or text messages at (205) 919-6537. Get in touch and we will get you started.

How much do sessions cost and how do they work?

Therapy sessions typically last 60 minutes, 50 minutes direct contact, and 10 minutes for charting, paperwork, booking, etc. For minors, I prefer to set up the intake with parents/guardians so I can go over the therapeutic process and what to expect for their child/children. For adults, the first session consists of an intake process in which I have clients fill out informed consent paperwork and answer demographic information, as well as discuss the reasons for coming to counseling.

I currently accept Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance plans, as well as a private pay rate. My private pay rate is $140 per hour. Utilizing private pay for counseling has advantages that insurance does not. With private pay, you are not having to meet a deductible on top of having to pay a co-pay. Also, when utilizing insurance, in order to be reimbursed for services, I am required to give my clients a mental health diagnosis that goes on their permanent medical record. For some, this is not an issue, however, for several clients, including first responders and military, this can be an issue. Utilizing private pay is also beneficial because it increases confidentiality due to not having to submit with reimbursement. While all of the communication through insurance is HIPAA compliant, there is the factor where someone other than the practitioner (myself) is looking at the client’s information. One clarification is that utilizing private pay does not invalidate my position as a mandated reporter or negate my duty to warn. Both of these are very important aspects to the counseling relationship which I go over during the intake with the client. Insurance has benefits, as well, such as a decreased financial burden for the client, as well as, an increased access to extra benefits and support outside of therapy due to having a formal diagnosis from a clinical professional.

I am no longer accepting new Medicaid clients.

What are your ethics?

I am governed by the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics. Please view the link here https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf

I am also governed by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling and their Code of Ethics. Please view the link here http://abec.state.al.us/PDFs/2015/ElecDigitalMediaCounseling10-16-15.pdf

Do you provide telehealth?

I am no longer providing Telehealth and would prefer to operate on a Face-to-Face basis. The reason for this is I have found much more success in the traditional in-person relationship. The interaction of therapist and client in person creates a dynamic that cannot be translated through other mediums and this is where I prefer to work. That being said, if there is a work conflict, or other unforeseen circumstance, I will discuss the possibility of providing limited teleheatlh sessions at my discretion and from the standpoint of operating in the best needs of the client.