 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Telephone Counseling FAQs |
How do I get started?
I require that you attend ONE face-to-face intake session at my office in Maple Grove. During this session, we will get to know each
other, discuss your needs and expectations, and will explore whether telephone counseling is appropriate for your situation. You
will also complete new client paperwork as well as paperwork specific to telephone counseling. If you are a current client or have
been one in the past, all that is required is the telephone counseling paperwork to get started.
How do I pay for telephone counseling sessions?
I will bill your credit/bank card for the amount of time you've selected on the day of each session. Some insurance companies may
reimburse you for telephone counseling, but it is dependent upon your particular plan. Contact your insurance company to learn
more about your plan and what it covers.
How do I schedule a telephone session?
We will schedule an appointment for a 30 or 50 minute phone call ahead of time and you will call me at the designated time. I do
not do telephone sessions without an appointment. There are a limited number of telephone session times available, so you'll want
to plan ahead so you can get the time you prefer. If you have children, you may want to schedule a session during a time they are
at school, napping, or in bed for the night.
Do I have to call from home?
No, you don't have to call from home. However, you are encouraged to choose a time and place which will be quiet, private, and
where you are least likely to experience interruptions. If you are using a cordless phone, be advised that it is one of the least
secure modes of communication. Corded or cellular telephones tend to be more secure. Be advised that you are responsible for
taking steps to ensure privacy on your end. A few words about confidentiality and telephone security.
If you choose to use a cordless or cell phone, make sure it is fully charged and that you will have good reception. I do not offer
refunds or credits for technical issues on your end. Similarly, I do not offer refunds or time credits for interruptions, including but not
limited to, call waiting, someone at the door, children, etc.
What will we talk about?
Telephone sessions will be similar to face-to-face sessions. We will discuss the issues that brought you to seek counseling in the
first place, your history, your goals, and anything else we would talk about in a face-to-face session. Periodically, I will send an
evaluation that I will ask you to mail back to me. This ensures that we are making progress on the goals that are important to you.
Are there people or situations for whom telephone counseling is not appropriate?
Telephone counseling is NOT appropriate for people who are suicidal or have serious or persistent mental illness. It also is not right
for people who would be unable to ensure private, quiet time in which to engage in a telephone session. Please note: I only do
telephone sessions with residents of Minnesota at this time.
What are the advantages to telephone counseling with you versus one of those 800 number counseling lines?
One of the major advantages is we get to meet each other face-to-face at least once and can have an in-office session any time you
or I feel it would be helpful. Also, because I am licensed in the state of Minnesota and you are a resident of Minnesota, you have
certain rights and protections that may not be available to you if your therapist is not a Minnesota resident.
Can my partner and I do telephone counseling?
Yes. In fact, you may find it easier to engage in regular sessions if you don't have to coordinate your schedules and find baby
sitters in order to meet face-to-face. This option is particularly well-suited if you or your partner travels extensively. Please note:
You will be responsible for setting up a three-way call or having reliable extensions in place.
I require that you attend ONE face-to-face intake session at my office in Maple Grove. During this session, we will get to know each
other, discuss your needs and expectations, and will explore whether telephone counseling is appropriate for your situation. You
will also complete new client paperwork as well as paperwork specific to telephone counseling. If you are a current client or have
been one in the past, all that is required is the telephone counseling paperwork to get started.
How do I pay for telephone counseling sessions?
I will bill your credit/bank card for the amount of time you've selected on the day of each session. Some insurance companies may
reimburse you for telephone counseling, but it is dependent upon your particular plan. Contact your insurance company to learn
more about your plan and what it covers.
How do I schedule a telephone session?
We will schedule an appointment for a 30 or 50 minute phone call ahead of time and you will call me at the designated time. I do
not do telephone sessions without an appointment. There are a limited number of telephone session times available, so you'll want
to plan ahead so you can get the time you prefer. If you have children, you may want to schedule a session during a time they are
at school, napping, or in bed for the night.
Do I have to call from home?
No, you don't have to call from home. However, you are encouraged to choose a time and place which will be quiet, private, and
where you are least likely to experience interruptions. If you are using a cordless phone, be advised that it is one of the least
secure modes of communication. Corded or cellular telephones tend to be more secure. Be advised that you are responsible for
taking steps to ensure privacy on your end. A few words about confidentiality and telephone security.
If you choose to use a cordless or cell phone, make sure it is fully charged and that you will have good reception. I do not offer
refunds or credits for technical issues on your end. Similarly, I do not offer refunds or time credits for interruptions, including but not
limited to, call waiting, someone at the door, children, etc.
What will we talk about?
Telephone sessions will be similar to face-to-face sessions. We will discuss the issues that brought you to seek counseling in the
first place, your history, your goals, and anything else we would talk about in a face-to-face session. Periodically, I will send an
evaluation that I will ask you to mail back to me. This ensures that we are making progress on the goals that are important to you.
Are there people or situations for whom telephone counseling is not appropriate?
Telephone counseling is NOT appropriate for people who are suicidal or have serious or persistent mental illness. It also is not right
for people who would be unable to ensure private, quiet time in which to engage in a telephone session. Please note: I only do
telephone sessions with residents of Minnesota at this time.
What are the advantages to telephone counseling with you versus one of those 800 number counseling lines?
One of the major advantages is we get to meet each other face-to-face at least once and can have an in-office session any time you
or I feel it would be helpful. Also, because I am licensed in the state of Minnesota and you are a resident of Minnesota, you have
certain rights and protections that may not be available to you if your therapist is not a Minnesota resident.
Can my partner and I do telephone counseling?
Yes. In fact, you may find it easier to engage in regular sessions if you don't have to coordinate your schedules and find baby
sitters in order to meet face-to-face. This option is particularly well-suited if you or your partner travels extensively. Please note:
You will be responsible for setting up a three-way call or having reliable extensions in place.
Disclaimer: The contents of this site and all the pages herein are intended for informational purposes only and are subject to change without notice at any time. None of
the information in this site is intended to be taken as advice therapeutic, legal, or otherwise. At no time does use of this site nor communication through this site constitute a
therapeutic relationship between the user and therapist. Kari L.M. Silverberg, MA, LAMFT and Theraspire Counseling Services, PLLC assumes no liability for the
content of this site or damages that may result from use, reference to, reliance on, or decisions resulting from its use. Use of this site establishes your consent to the
provisions of this disclaimer. Copyright 2006. All rights reserved.
the information in this site is intended to be taken as advice therapeutic, legal, or otherwise. At no time does use of this site nor communication through this site constitute a
therapeutic relationship between the user and therapist. Kari L.M. Silverberg, MA, LAMFT and Theraspire Counseling Services, PLLC assumes no liability for the
content of this site or damages that may result from use, reference to, reliance on, or decisions resulting from its use. Use of this site establishes your consent to the
provisions of this disclaimer. Copyright 2006. All rights reserved.