Common Questions

If you need emergency assistance please contact the state-wide emergency mental health crisis line at 1-800-715-4225, call 911, or go to your nearest emergency room. We are not an emergency facility. We do not have a 24/7 emergency line, and might not be able to schedule an emergency session before your next scheduled session.

At Adult and Child Counseling of Athens, we are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all clients, families, and staff. To minimize the spread of illness and protect those who may be medically fragile, we ask for your support and cooperation by following our sick policy outlined below.

General Guidelines

Please cancel your appointment if you, your child, or any household members are sick with the flu, stomach virus, COVID-19, or any other contagious illness. There is no fee for cancelling due to illness—we simply want to prevent the spread of infection and protect our therapists and the families they serve.

If you/your child cannot comfortably participate in daily activities, you/they are likely too sick to attend therapy.

Illness-Specific Guidelines

Fever

If you/your child has a fever of 100.4°F or higher, please stay home. Individuals must be fever-free for 48 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication before returning to therapy.

Diarrhea and Vomiting

Diarrhea and vomiting are highly contagious. Individuals may return 48 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea.

Coughs and Colds

Individuals with mild cold symptoms may attend therapy, but please notify your therapist. Individuals should stay home if they have:

• A persistent or hacking cough
• Green or yellow nasal drainage
• A productive cough with green or yellow phlegm

These symptoms may occur with or without a fever.

Rashes

Any unexplained rash should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Individuals should not return until cleared by a doctor to ensure the rash is not contagious.

Antibiotics

If you/your child has been prescribed antibiotics, you/they must remain home until you/they have been on the medication for at least 48 hours and symptoms are improving.

Contagious Conditions

If you/your child appears to have a contagious condition (e.g., pink eye, head lice), we ask that you/they be evaluated by a pediatrician before returning. A doctor's note is required for therapy to continue.

COVID-19 Protocol

If anyone in your household tests positive for COVID-19, all household members, including you, your child, must stay home. You/your child may return 48 hours after a negative COVID-19 test taken by the individual who tested positive and provided you/your child has no symptoms.

Final Notes

• If illness moves through your household, please continue to cancel even if you/your child are asymptomatic, to reduce exposure risk to therapists and other families.
• Therapists reserve the right to cancel a session if they believe there is a risk of illness exposure.
• If you/your child had a rough night or seems unwell the morning of therapy, please assess carefully before attending.

We greatly appreciate your efforts in keeping everyone safe and healthy!

A number of benefits are available from participating in counseling. Therapy can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues, and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Counselors can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from counseling depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn.

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, counseling is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking counseling. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and counselor. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the counselor's office. Every counselor should provide a written copy of his or her confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. However, state law and professional ethics require counselors to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations: Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of people who are considered vulnerable, such as children, handicapped adults, and elderly individual will be reported to the authorities, including local child protective services and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or other sources, And If the counselor has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming themself or has threatened to harm another person.

Our therapists are in the office by appointment only. Please contact us to make an appointment.

Sessions are 35-50 minutes long depending on client age.

The current session fees are:

• Shannon MIllan, LPC, NCC $150.00 per session
• Tomekia Raines, LMSW $150.00 per session.

We have limited spaces for clients on a sliding scale fee. These are given on a case by case basis. Please contact us about applying for a sliding scale fee.

We accept Cash, Card (through Ivy pay, a HIPPA compliant card processing app) as well as Check (made out to Adult and Child Counseling of Athens). More information is provided in the intake paperwork about payments.

Shannon Millan is In Network with the following insurance companies: Aetna and Anthem BCBS

Tomekia Raines is in network with Aetna

Please check with your clinician to verify what insurance companies they are In Network with.

We do not file out of network insurance claims. Your clinician can provide you with a “super bill” if requested and you can file an out of network claim with your insurance. There is no guarantee that insurance will reimburse you for a session with us.

Currently insurance will not reimburse services provided by an Associate Licensed Professional. Please refer to the "what are the benefits of not using insurance" question below for more information.

Insurance requires the provider to provide a diagnosis on the first session, and then often uses that diagnosis to determine how many sessions they will pay for and what techniques the therapist must use. When using self pay no diagnosis is needed and the techniques and amount of sessions are able to be more flexible to better fit the client and their needs.

First you will contact us about becoming a client. After you contact us we will reach out and do an initial questionnaire over the phone. This is to make sure that we are an appropriate fit for your needs. Once the therapists determine that we are an appropriate fit we will reach out to schedule an intake session and from this intake session the therapist will schedule a follow up session(s). If we determine that we are not an appropriate fit for your needs we will give you a list of other agencies that might be a better fit.

Intake sessions are more formal and structured than typical counseling sessions. In the intake session your therapist will ask many questions about your history and current concerns bringing you to counseling. These questions might seem more medical and less personable, but they allow the therapist to better assess your needs and concerns.

We always say the first 3-4 sessions are the getting to know you phase of counseling. During these first sessions the therapist and you will determine if you are a "right fit" for each other. We understand that every person is different, situations change, and sometimes you just don’t match with that therapist's therapy style. We ask that you discuss this with the therapist, although this is entirely up to you. It is your right to terminate therapy at any time. If you discuss your concerns with the therapist they can make adjustments or provide you with referral information to other practices in town who might be a better fit.

In Georgia, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)/ Licensed Clinical SOcial Worker (LCSW) is a highly trained, mental health professional who has met educational and training requirements, including at least a Master’s degree, two years of supervised professional clinical experience and successful completion of a state examination for licensure as LPC/LCSW by the State of Georgia. LPC/LCSW's are accountable to the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapist and Social Workers

In Georgia, a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC)/ Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) has the same training and education as an LPC/LCSW and will receive their full licensure pending completion of their post graduate experience and supervision requirements. Much like a doctor goes through medical school, internship, and then residency before they can be an attending physician, an LAPC/LMSW has gone through school and internship and is now in their "residency" before becoming an LPC/LCSW

The National Certified Counselor Certification (NCC) is a voluntary national certification that identifies counselors who have met national standards set by the counseling profession. The NCC is issued by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). Individuals must pass the National Counseling Exam (NCE)to receive the National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification.

STANDARD NOTICE
“Right to Receive a Good Faith Estimate of Expected Charges” Under the No Surprises Act

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost

Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.

Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least one business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.

If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.

Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call Adult and Child Counseling of Athens at ‭(706) 919-9392‬