FAQS PAGE

  • I’m not a responder and/or family member of one. Can I still visit Valor for my counseling needs?

    • Yes! While we specialize in working with responders and their family members, we also regularly see civilians with various mental health needs such as career changes, grief, anxiety, and more. Visit our home page to learn more about the specific areas of counsel we do!

  • Can I use my insurance?

    • Yes. We accept BCBS (not Home), Cigna, and Aetna.

  • Can I use my work EAP?

  • What if you don’t take my insurance?

    • Some insurance groups we are not participating in at this time simply because they have not allowed us to be a part of a specific plan for example. If that is the case, we are happy to provide a superbill or receipt, so that you might receive partial or full reimbursement. This is up to your insurance group.

  • Why is my rate so high?

    • It’s possible you have a high deductible, but often we don’t know this until your first claim is processed. We recommend that every client call their insurance company and clarify their copay amount as well as if your therapist is in-network with your plan prior to your first appointment.

  • Why did I get charged a late cancellation or no-show fee?

    • If you are unable to reschedule before the 24 hour window, then you will be charged a late cancellation fee. If you do not show for your appointment OR cancel after the appointment time has begun, you will be charged a no-show fee. We have specifically held your session for you and not showing up means you have taken a spot someone else may have needed. We understand life happens and we always will offer a telehealth session or possibly another time that day if available.

  • Can I use my FSA/HSA card for my sessions?

    • Absolutely! We accept all major credit cards, FSA cards, check, and cash.

  • Why can’t interns take insurance?

    • According to the state and counseling board laws, until an intern has their license in hand, they are not able to accept insurance; therefore, while under the supervision of a licensed clinician, they must offer a sliding scale. We are happy to be able to provide affordable counseling, so that everyone can be seen.

  • Why should I work with an intern?

    • Every counselor once began as an intern. Interns are finishing their degrees, and they are excited and ready to meet with clients. So much of the counseling session is attachment-based, meaning the relationship between therapist and client is very safe and vulnerable. Interns have two supervisors- the site supervisor and the school supervisor.

    • At Valor, our interns are carefully selected through several interview processes, a background check, and referral checks to determine if they will be a good fit for our practice.

  • How does confidentiality work?

    • We take confidentiality very seriously at Valor. Your sessions are between you and your therapist only. If you are a minor, we will discuss confidentiality with you and a parent(s) prior to beginning counseling. If you have any concerns regarding diagnosing or note-taking, we want to assure you that we are very mindful about your safety.

  • What should I bring to my first counseling session?

    • For your first session you should bring your insurance card and a credit card. Also, any helpful paperwork such as a form from a doctor or any previous counseling work you might think is helpful to share.

  • My spouse is coming to therapy. Can I speak to their counselor about our situation via email or phone?

    • In order for you to speak with your spouse’s counselor, your spouse or partner would need to invite you into their session. If the client would like to fill out a release form, then you can talk to their counselor; however, the therapist may have boundaries around the amount of conversing. You are always welcome to email your partner’s counselor, but the counselor will not respond without a release. We take confidentiality for the client very seriously.

  • If we are in a marriage session together, how does confidentiality work?

    • When working with a couple either dating, engaged or married, the counselor will explain to both individuals that there will be no kept secrets throughout their counseling time together. Therefore, anything mentioned in a session, email, or phone call will not be kept from the other partner.

  • I am needing EMDR. What is the process?

    • EMDR is an 8 phase process typically with multiple sessions. Sometimes, such as with first responders, we will do an immediate processing session for a recent incident. EMDR does not cost extra. It is specialized training and we are happy to help you work through any trauma.