Northern Illinois Counseling Associates, P.C.
Ψ A Tradition of Excellence Ψ
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Northern Illinois Counseling Associates, P.C. Ψ A Tradition of Excellence Ψ
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which mental health professional is really good?In order to know which mental health professionals are really good you need to do a little research to learn from friends, family or respected community members which providers truly appear to have something of meaning and value to offer you. A rule of thumb is to look for mental health professionals who are duly state-licensed, have several years of varied supervised clinical experiences and are ready, willing and able to answer any pertinent questions you may have regarding their education, training, licensure and professional orientation/philosophy. Finally, really good mental health professionals generally should have a workable “fix” on you and your problem within one-to-four visits and should welcome the opportunity to openly discuss with you their clinical impressions, hypotheses and provisional diagnosis. Where can I find a licensed professional in my area?Generally, you can find a licensed mental health professional in you geographic area you live by: (a) contacting the state licensing board (or department of professional regulation), (b) consulting with either the state or national professional association of the discipline you are interested in (for example, the American Psychological Association or National Association of Social Workers) or (c) checking the local Yellow Pages (which permit licensed mental health professionals to publicly list their credentials which you can then verify for licensure at the time you make or keep your appointment). [Warning: If you decide to be evaluated or treated by an unlicensed provider, you do so at your own risk. Licensing does not automatically guarantee professional competence and adherence to ethical standards but it does increase the probability that the licensed mental health professional to whom you are entrusting your care and treatment has passed many stringent “tests” over the years of specialized education, supervised training and demonstrated familiarity with the relevant research literature.] Back to TopWhy doesn't my insurance provide mental health benefits for me?Insurance, if applicable, represents a contract between you and your insurance company (or employer) and not with the mental health provider. During the past decade, insurances companies have been actuarially determining which “benefits” are making them money and which have been costing them money. Inpatient mental heath related services and inpatient alcohol and drug treatment have cost insurance companies money, whereas, outpatient mental health services have been found to save insurers and/or employers money. Unfortunately, many insurance companies have opted to entirely discontinue mental health coverage altogether or to reduce the amount of benefit provided. It is suggested that you review your insurance benefits or contact your health insurance benefits administrator before making an appointment with a duly licensed mental health professional to find out exactly what specific mental health benefits are offered and if so, for how long and for how much. Note that many people choose to pay "out-of-pocket" for mental health services and not file insurance claims because insurance companies require that a "mental" diagnosis be used and sometimes insist upon drug therapy even when the client prefers not to be treated with psychopharmacologic medications. Back to TopWho is available in the event of an actual life or death emergency?If you find yourself or loved one to be experiencing a bona fide life and death emergency you are advised to immediately call your treating mental health professional or “covering provider” (i.e., back-up) as some have 24 hour answering capability. Or dial “911” or go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital. For all other urgent problems, contact your counselor (or their answering service) briefly stating what the situation is for you and clearly indicating if a call-back from your counselor is truly necessary immediately or if a call-back is acceptable as soon as the counselor is able to get back to you. Please be advised that it is usual and customary for mental health professionals to charge fees-for-emergency-services-rendered so please be sure to utilize “emergencies” wisely and well. Back to TopWhat does my diagnosis mean?Your diagnosis means that the various clinical “signs and symptoms” you have reported to your mental health professional have some recognizable pattern and can be “labeled’ for certain definable purposes. No diagnosis is ever to be considered as an explanation for why you are or feel a particular way. In addition, the diagnosis of all diagnoses is always the person, NOT their descriptive label. When is the right time to obtain competent counseling services?The ideal time to procure competent professional mental health services is before your problem or difficulty gets out of hand. Unfortunately, too many people access services well after their circumstances are out of control. However, the right time to obtain competent counseling services is always now! Back to TopProfessional fees-for-services and payment policies are determined by each mental health professional based upon their education, training, credentialing, specialized areas of expertise, experience and clinical success rates. Seasoned counselors deliberately work all the time to improve their scope and intensity of practice so they continue to get better and better and better. You should always feel free to discuss any aspect of fee and payment with your mental health professional just as you might with your physician, dentist or optometrist. Northern Illinois Counseling Associates, P.C. (NICA) will be happy to address, in depth, any question you may have concerning our professional background, licensure, counseling or testing services and fees. We welcome your inquiries. For further information or to schedule an appointment, please call us at 815-455-OPEN (6736) Adults Ψ Couples Ψ Women's Center Children and Families Ψ Testing and Assessment Ψ Consultation |
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Northern Illinois Counseling Associates, P.C. 14 Brink Street, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
815-455-6736
Last updated November 2007 © 2007 Northern Illinois Counseling Associates, P.C. All rights reserved.
The material presented within this website is informational only and is not intended as a substitute for professional services and assistance. We have endeavored to present accurate information, but cannot guarantee that the information on these web pages is always current or correct. We do not assume responsibility for any consequences that may result from using this web page or any linked sites. We do not necessarily endorse or support the contents, claims, or representations of the websites we provide links to, in whole or in part. While we try to respond to inquiries, we are unable to offer professional advice via email. If you require immediate care, please contact your local mental health center, duly-licensed mental health professional, or area hospital.
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