O: (517) 580-8087 ♦Fax: (517) 275-4830
EIN: 45-4900740
Common Questions and Facts
We know finding expert counseling can be tough, which is why we’re excited to be expanding our services at ICHANGE, with new therapists and new services. Here are some commonly asked questions we hear when potential clients first contact us.
Do I get to choose the therapist I work with?
Yes. Our therapists all have different backgrounds, specialties, and personalities. The common denominator is that they are all very good at what they do. In your initial phone consultation, our intake therapist may suggest a therapist that can be a good fit based on what you are seeking therapy for.
Because our therapists are good at what they do, sometimes they are full and not accepting new clients. You can request to work with a particular therapist. If they don’t have availability in their schedule, it may be recommended you work with another therapist who would fit you well- or you may choose to go on a waiting list.
Do you accept insurance?
ICHANGE is an in-network provider for a majority of the surrounding insurance companies. Howerever, not all of our therapist are in-network; therefore are considered out-of-network provider. We do provide therapy invoices to the client to submit to their insurance for out-of-network reimbursement after full payments.
Services may be covered by your health insurance or employee benefit plan if they offer out of network services. If you do have out of network coverage, we are happy to give you an invoice (called a superbill) to submit to your provider. We encourage all clients to call their insurance companies and ask the following questions:
Do I have mental health benefits?
Does my plan cover out-of-network providers?
Do my benefits cover marriage counseling?
What is my out-of-network deductible and has it been met?
How much does my plan cover for an out-of-network provider?
Will I be reimbursed for payments given to an out-of-network provider?
Where do I send a superbill?
Please keep in mind that all insurance companies require a diagnosis to approve your claim. Often, a mental health diagnosis is not warranted and would be unethical to submit. In other cases, even if there is a valid diagnosis, many clients prefer not to have a mental health diagnosis on their permanent health record. Often, working with a therapist who does not accept insurance affords more time to be spent on the therapeutic experience and relieves stress for both parties. ICHANGE strives to offer a premium counseling experience without the difficulty and time constraints associated with insurance claims.
Do you accept payment from a third party?
Many of our clients get help paying for services from ecclesiastical leaders or other parties. We require a written agreement between the third party, yourself, and ICHANGE indicating that a third party will be paying. The client receiving services is ultimately responsible for the bill.
Do you prescribe medications?
We are not licensed or qualified to prescribe or manage medications. We do work closely with prescribers in the community if you do have a need for medication.
Do You Offer Remote Virtual Options for Therapy?
Yes. We can help you in your recovery using a HIPAA compliant telehealth platform. Meet privately with a licensed therapist or join a therapy group with people from all over the country in the convenience of your home. If you’re interested, sign up here.
How do I contact my therapist outside of session?
Prior to your first session, your therapist will give you a way to contact them outside of session- either through email or phone. Put this information in a safe and accessible place. If you need to contact your therapist and have misplaced their information, you can call our main number (517) 879-9543 to get in contact with your therapist. If you are having a life threatening emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
I’m worried about running into someone I know while I’m at your office, how do you address that?
Due to the sensitive nature of the issues we treat, this is a common concern for our clients. We take privacy and confidentiality very seriously because healing can’t happen where people do not feel safe. When people come to therapy, they very quickly value the confidentiality of the setting and respect that for everyone who comes into the office. It is usually puts a person in a tough spot to ‘blab’ about who they see in therapy because they would reveal their own involvement with therapy were they to do so.
We frequently review confidentiality and privacy in groups and our policies are posted in each waiting room. Clients who cannot or will not keep confidences are referred to other therapy offices and are not welcome at our facility.
What are the benefits of therapy?
Therapy can help in taking you from the ‘dark night of the soul’ into a new plane where what used to hurt is now part of what makes you strong. Some clients come to therapy to heal from addiction and learn how to stop self destructive behavior. Other clients come to therapy for help in separating their experience from the painful past. Couples come to therapy to change long-standing and hurtful dynamics in their marriages.
We look at therapy as a way to help you to develop skills, relationships, and assets you haven’t yet and that you don’t know how to get on your own. Many of our clients have found that as they heal in therapy, they find themselves intuitively handling situations that used to overwhelm or confuse them.
Contact us now for your FREE 30-minute phone consultation to see if therapy can benefit you.
What are your qualifications?
Being a therapist in the state of Utah requires that you have at least a Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, or Marriage and Family Therapy. In addition to Master’s Degrees, all of our therapists have pursued additional training and certification in work with couples, work with addiction, and/or work with trauma. We take your healing seriously and we seek out top-notch training in respected and proven methods.
What can I expect in a first session?
The first session is an opportunity to talk to your therapist about what you are experiencing and what you would like to accomplish in therapy, generally around 90 minutes. Sessions are generally 60 minutes long, we do offer shorter sessions at your request. You will leave your first session with a clear next step to take.
First sessions are also where the most important aspect of therapy starts – your relationship with your therapist. It can be helpful to notice how comfortable you are with your therapist and whether or not you feel like they are a good fit for you. We are committed to helping you get the assistance you need, even if it isn’t with us, so talk with your therapist if you feel like it would be hard to work with them.
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. In short, EMDR means that we tap into the brain’s natural process for healing from the past – taking what is useful from past events and leaving behind what is not. EMDR is the first clinically proven method for treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Visit our EMDR page for more.