Encounter Counseling Center

At Encounter we have found taking insurance can limit your freedom in choosing the right counselor and the number of sessions you receive.  When insurance is billed the counselor is required to give a diagnosis, which can be stigmatizing and overwhelming for the client. Carrying around a diagnosis can be difficult and discouraging.  Also when insurance is billed client records might not be confidential because of the insurance companies needing information to provide coverage.  At Encounter we strive to provide affordable counseling services that are paid for out of pocket via cash, check, credit/debit or you can use your Health Savings Account.  Some insurance companies will reimburse for treatment with documentation of the counseling, which your counselor can provide to you if you choose to utilize. Counseling services range from $80-$100 and a sliding scale is available for those who meet income limits.  We don’t want finances to be the reason that keeps you from getting support.

How long will counseling take? 

Everyone’s experience with counseling is different and there is no formula to figure out how long counseling will take.  At Encounter we want to make sure the counselor feels like the right fit for the client, and if it is then be willing to give counseling some time before seeing change.  So often we wait until we are really struggling to get help and it often took us a long time to get to that point so expect it to take some time to get better.  Especially at the beginning of the counseling process it is helpful to attend several sessions weekly if possible so you can really begin to see things change in your life. 

How do I know if I need counseling? 

Unfortunately, receiving counseling and other mental health services in our society has a negative stigma attached to it.  This is really discouraging because we are all human and get stuck or need help at various points in our life.   Physically, we will go to the doctor when sick and it should be the same for counseling when we are stuck, overwhelmed, exhausted or just struggling with life.  Encounter strives to be a place where counseling is provided to anyone and everyone who is wanting some extra support or working through whatever is going on in their life.  If you are unsure if counseling is for you give us a call or send us an email.  

What are sessions like? 

In the first session the you and the counselor will go over the paperwork and any questions you have on the counselor disclosure statement, HIPPA statement or client forms.  You will also have the opportunity to ask any other questions about the counselor or the counseling process.  Then the counselor will want to hear your story and what it is that brings you in to counseling and what specifically you want to work on.  You will have the opportunity to talk about your personal or relationship struggles you are experiencing and what your goals are in overcoming those struggles.  If I would describe counseling sessions in 3 words I would say: warm, empathic and growing.  It is a unique space just for you to talk about what you need and together we will find understanding, a different perspective or new ways of overcoming the difficulties you are experiencing.