Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Counseling offers valuable support for a range of concerns, including but not limited to stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and personal development. If you find yourself uncertain about whether counseling is right for you, an initial consultation provides an opportunity to explore your needs and assess whether our services align with your goals and expectations.

In the first session, you and your clinician will discuss what you're struggling with right now, review background information relevant to your current symptoms, and explore goals and objectives for services. Our clinicians make sure to individualize treatment depending on what areas of your life you want to work on and what strategies may work best for you. You are encouraged to ask any questions or share anything you would like your clinician to know about you to better help in the therapeutic journey.

Sessions are scheduled for 53-55 minutes, with the option to schedule a 30-min “half session” as needed. The frequency depends on your current symptoms, goals, and scheduling preferences. We recommend beginning with weekly to encourage rapport development and progress towards your goals, which can then be stepped down to biweekly or monthly if appropriate.

The duration of counseling varies based on individual needs and the nature of the concerns being addressed. Some individuals may find significant progress within a few months, while others may benefit from longer-term support. Our approach is collaborative, and we regularly discuss progress and goals with you. Together, we will determine when it's appropriate to conclude sessions. This decision is based on achieving your desired outcomes and ensuring that you feel equipped to navigate challenges independently. Open communication about your evolving needs and goals plays a crucial role in determining the optimal time to conclude our counseling partnership.

Online therapy sessions provide a convenient and effective way to engage in counseling remotely. We typically use VSee and/or Doxy.me, both secure and user-friendly video conferencing tools. Before your first session, you'll receive a match email confirming your appointment, which contains the online therapy link you will use for each session (we make it easy - it's the same link every time!). Please ensure you have a reliable internet connection and a private, comfortable space for the session.

The effectiveness of online therapy for counseling is well-established, offering the same level of support and engagement as in-person sessions. Many clients find it enhances accessibility and flexibility, allowing them to receive quality care from the comfort of their own environment. If you have any concerns or questions about the online therapy process, we can address them during our sessions to ensure you feel comfortable and informed.

Totally normal! We encourage you to discuss this with your clinician and/or Samm (Owner) to explore options. Sometimes it's just a matter of identifying strategies that aren't working and switching those up. Other times you may prefer a different clinician on our team or elsewhere. Regardless of what those needs are, we're here to meet them. If you feel you would like referrals outside of Carolina Behavioral Counseling, we can provide those upon request and help make that transition as smooth as possible. Counseling for anxiety and other mental health challenges is a deeply personal, vulnerable, and sometimes difficult process, so our goal is supporting you in any way we can!

Our team uses a variety of treatment modalities, primarily Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy. We also incorporate a Person-Centered approach throughout services. Depending on what issues you are working on, other techniques may include Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness strategies. Counseling for anxiety is tailored to meet the unique needs of each client, ensuring that the most effective approaches are used to help you achieve lasting progress.

We know how many mental health challenges are interconnected, so it's common for other issues to arise during therapy that may not be directly listed here. While we offer counseling for anxiety, we also work with clients on a variety of concerns such as stress, depression, self-esteem, life transitions, and relationship struggles. During your complimentary phone consultation, we can discuss what you're experiencing and determine if we're a good fit to address your unique needs.

We welcome clients aged 12 through adulthood. Since our services are exclusively provided through online therapy, we take extra care to assess whether we are a good fit for children, considering the unique dynamics of virtual counseling. Apart from this additional consideration for younger clients, counseling is well-suited for any motivated individual seeking support and personal growth.

Confidentiality and safety are our top priorities at Carolina Behavioral Counseling. Your information is treated with utmost privacy per our professional and ethical standards, and will only be disclosed with your explicit consent, except in situations required by law. Our commitment extends to secure online therapy platforms, ensuring the confidentiality of virtual sessions. If you have concerns, open communication is encouraged to address them within the bounds of our ethical guidelines.

Carolina Behavioral Counseling is in-network with some insurance providers, including Aetna, BCBS, and United/Optum. Each clinician's network status is available here. Our self-pay rates are $160 for the intake assessment and $135 for each 53-min session. We offer military discounts to service members and their dependents. We also have a limited number of sliding scale slots reserved for clients in need.

Our cancellation policy requires 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Late cancellations or missed appointments are billed full rate to account for the session time being unavailable to other clients in need.

We are able to receive emails or text messages between sessions regarding scheduling or billing information only. To ensure HIPAA compliance and highest privacy standards, we do not recommend sharing clinical information via email or text message. If you need to reach your counselor and discuss clinical information, you may schedule a half-session or full session as needed. In the case of an emergency, please call 988 or text 741-741 for a crisis text line.