FAQ
What is mental health counseling?
Mental health counseling is the evaluation, assessment, amelioration, treatment, modification or adjustment to a disability, problem, or disorder of behavior, character, development, emotion, personality or relationship by the use of verbal or behavioral methods.
What services do licensed mental health counselors provide?
Mental health counselors use assessment instruments, provide mental health counseling and psychotherapy, clinical assessment and evaluation, treatment planning and case management, prevention, discharge, and aftercare services. After identifying and evaluating mental health problems and related human development challenges, mental health counselors employ effective methods of counseling and psychotherapy to treat individuals with conditions that may include mood disorders including depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, sexual dysfunction, eating disorders, personality disorders, dementia and adjustment disorders.
Can you prescribe drugs or perform invasive treatments?
No, licensed professional counselors are not allowed to prescribe or administer drugs or use any invasive procedure. Examples of “invasive procedures” include surgery, therapeutic ultrasound, and electroconvulsive therapy.
Will I be charged for missed appointments?
If a client does not provide notice within 48 hours of his/her scheduled appointment, the $50 fee will be charged to the client’s account and will be asked to pay this balance prior to scheduling his/her next appointment.
What if I come to counseling and do not feel like talking, can I just listen to the counselor talk?
The counseling process is a partnership between you and a Second Chance Counseling clinician (“clinician”) to work on areas of dissatisfaction in your life or assist you with life goals. For counseling to be most effective, it is important that you take an active role in the process. This involves keeping scheduled appointments, listening to the clinician, being honest with the clinician, discussing the counseling process with the clinician, and completing outside assignments agreed upon with the clinician. Counseling can have both benefits and risks.