Your First Appointment
You've made the phone call and you've scheduled an appointment. Now what? Here's pretty much everything you need to know before your first appointment. Locating Seattle Direct Counseling SDC is a home office. For face-to-face appointments , you will be given an address over the phone, but the general area is in West Seattle near the Alaska Street Junction. Parking is a snap: during the day while school is in session, street parking is difficult, so you can park on my drive way. In the summer, school is out of session and parking is plentiful. For Internet or phone appointments, you will be asked to "show up" about five minutes before the appointment time, and to cover additional issues regarding the communication and confidentiality (including an informed consent form regarding electronic transmission and confidentiality). NEW! Coming in April 2010: I have completed negotiations for a prime location therapy office in Pioneer Square! Soon you'll have your choice of sessions at both locations. Additionally, I'll be offering group therapy and subject-based workshops that can accommodate more people while remaining reasonable in price. Divorce Sucks is now on Facebook. We get presenters to you in swanky venues around Seattle, addressing the trauma and ensuing aftermath of divorce. With web entrepreneur Chris Pirillo and Melanie Farmer, we'll get you laughing again as we help you get through perhaps one of the most painful life transitions short of death. Where do I Wait? There is no lounge for my space, though there is a covered area. You can wait in your car, or if you arrive early, there is a Hotwire Coffee shop around the corner on California Avenue SW. Signs on the door will indicate to you whether you can walk in or if I am still seeing a client inside. During the cold weather months, you will be relieved to know how comfortable my basement lounge is with a temperature of about 70 degrees with the heat on. In inclement weather, if you have concerns about road conditions and safety, please convert your appointment to a phone or Skype session by calling me and reserving your appointment time. If you do not cancel by phone, it is considered a no-show and you will be charged in-full for the visit. How do I pay for my visit? Do you accept credit cards? If we haven't discussed that over the phone with you before the visit, it will be covered during the beginning of the first session. You will fill out paperwork giving consent for treatment, and I will take the information from your health insurance card. Payment is due at the beginning of each session. I accept credit cards using credit card processing through Therapy Partner. By filling out an authorization form, your visit or co-pay can be billed by debit or credit card. Click on Forms, download and complete all forms, and bring them to your first session. How much does my visit cost? Counseling sessions are $110 per 50-minute session, $125 for the first intake session. Couples sessions are $130 per session. I am Microsoft and Premera preferred. I accept Regence, Premera, United Medical Plan (UMP),and First Choice. Coaching session are intensive and require between-session assignments in a time-limited, personalized program. Please inquire about coaching costs in your free 30 minute consultation. Other perks to your session You can request tea service with your session (please indicate this at least 15 minutes before your session). Also, Charles-Monet the therapy cat (an Applehead Siamese) is at your service and ready to warm your lap if you like animals. If you are allergic, please let me know, and the room will be carefully refreshed before your session. Charles-Monet in action Please note: I do not know yet if I will be able to bring Charles-Monet to my new location, but I will be requesting it with the landlord, as my current clients enjoy him. |
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