5 Ways to Help You Afford the Christian Counseling Process

Many consumers today place a high value on receiving Christian-based treatment which offers them the opportunity to work with a clinical provider who approaches treatment from a biblical perspective. Recognizing the value of this unique approach to counseling, consumers have a strong interest in knowing what the cost of treatment will be. This article is aimed at addressing cost concerns with Christian-based counseling and finding ways to make it more affordable.

1.)  Speak with Your Insurance Company

One of the most important steps you can take to help reduce the cost of treatment is contacting your insurance company about the following:

•  Mental health Coverage Rates for In-Network and Out-of-Network Providers. Not all insurance plans are the same; therefore, you want a clear understanding of the types of counseling that are covered by your specific plan. You can speak with a representative of your insurance company to identify which forms of treatment are covered (e.g., individual, marriage, and family counseling), to determine what their specific coverage rates will be per session for In-Network and Out-of-Network providers, and to clarify whether only a set number of sessions will be covered.
• Reimbursement policies. If you decide to work with an Out-of-Network provider, insurance reimbursement may be an option. Insurance reimbursement is a process whereby the cost of treatment (e.g., per session) is paid to the clinical provider up front, and you afterward submit the appropriate documentation to your insurance company in order to be reimbursed directly for the percentage stated in your insurance policy. Your insurance carrier can specify the steps you’ll need to take when seeking reimbursement.
• After obtaining this information, you can proceed to the following strategy.

2.)  Arrange an Affordable Fee Per Session

There are different ways you can determine what the fee per session will be before starting the counseling process. A primary way is to contact the counselor you would like to work with directly and ask questions regarding their fee structure and In-Network / Out-of-Network status. You can address the following areas with them:

• Are they able to accept your particular form of insurance coverage as an In-Network or Out-of-Network provider? If they are an Out-of-Network provider and your insurance coverage applies, you can ask them to provide you with the appropriate documentation so you can proceed with the reimbursement process.
• What is their standard fee per session and are reduced fee / sliding scale fee options available?

You may also be able to gather a counselor’s basic per-session fee information from their website, or from their Disclosure Statement / Intake Paperwork. Session rates do differ between counselors, and may be based on levels of education and experience. 

3.)  Schedule Appointments Economically

An important part of starting the counseling process is setting an appointment schedule with your counselor that will be financially feasible for you (e.g., meeting weekly, every other week, monthly, etc.). However, before you set a meeting schedule, you can be honest and direct in letting them know what you can afford. Having an open discussion will allow you to coordinate an appropriate scheduling frequency based on your financial situation and the counselor’s clinical judgment as to what would be appropriate.

4.)  Budget to Make the Out-of-Pocket Investment

In situations where use of your insurance is not an option, you may need to consult your budget and prioritize for the cost of treatment, especially in cases where you want to work with a specific counselor. Many consumers are willing to make the financial investment necessary to work with a counselor who provides the quality Christian-based services they are seeking.

5. Start with a Consultation

Counselors differ in their approach to consultations. You can gather information about their consultation policies by either contacting them directly by phone or email, or by viewing their practice website. Either way, gathering this information helps you determine whether a cost may or may not apply for the consultation.

Here at Seattle Christian Counseling, we offer you a No-Risk Consultation, which allows you to meet with a counselor in person, and decide whether you would like to continue the treatment process at the end of your consultation. The fee for the consultation is due only if you decide to continue. The benefits include:

•  Actually getting to meet with the counselor in person.
•  Being able to address any questions you have about the Christian-counseling process directly with the counselor.
•  Having the freedom to decide whether to continue the counseling process or search out a different provider.

As a provider who offers a No-Risk Consultation to potential clients, I have found it to be a beneficial process for both the counselor and client, especially as it relates to addressing client concerns about ongoing treatment, facilitating the joining process, and formulating an appropriate treatment plan if continuance is sought.

Our Qualified Christian Counselors are Here to Help

Christian-based counseling is service which can be a short or long-term process. Either way, the strategies listed above can be useful in helping you effectively weigh the cost of treatment. If you have any questions regarding the information above, or would like to schedule a No-Risk consultation, feel free to contact me by going to seattlechristiancounseling.com.