Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy At Montgomery County Counseling Center
Q: How do I know what type of counseling I need?
A: You may already have an idea of the type of therapy you want. Or, you may need some guidance to decide. Either way is perfectly fine. We can help. Our intake specialist will connect with you to discuss therapy options we offer once we receive your inquiry form.
Also, we will continue to assess your needs throughout the course of treatment and decide what type of therapy will meet your needs. Check out the services we offer to get a head start! This image may also help!
Q: How do I find the right therapist?
A: Check out our two-part blog on finding the right therapist. Part 1 talks about the logistics, and Part 2 talks about the relationship. Our intake specialist can also help make this determination for you based on both clinical fit and scheduling availability.
Q: Do you offer free therapy consultations?
A: Yes, we prefer to speak with clients by phone prior to making an appointment. And, we think you’ll like that too. These phone calls typically last 10-15 minutes with our intake specialist. If a more in-depth conversation is needed, we’ll be happy to schedule a consultation with our clinical director, Sara Varga.
Q: How long does a typical counseling session last?
A: Typically, sessions run between 45 and 50 minutes. In rare circumstances, we may agree to do either a 30 minute or 90 minute session. This would be discussed with you and your therapist.
Q: How often will I meet with my therapist?
A: To ensure the highest standard of ethical care, assessment, and therapeutic rapport, we have found that weekly sessions throughout the first few months of treatment leads to the most effective outcomes in therapy. You and your therapist will collaboratively assess the necessity for any adjustments to the frequency of sessions to safeguard the value of your time, energy, and financial resources for ongoing continuity of your care.
Q: What age groups do you provide individual therapy for?
A: We treat children ages 5 and older, teens, young adult, and young-at-heart adults.
Q: Do you accept insurance for counseling?
A: Unfortunately no. This practice is fee-for-service. This means we are not in-network with any insurance provider. However, clients can receive monthly receipts upon request if you wish to file claims for reimbursement. We advise that you call your insurance provider to ask about your “out of network reimbursement rates for psychotherapy” prior to booking. Some clients may also be eligible for a “Single Case Agreement”. You should also ask your insurance about that option!
- Kaiser-carriers are highly likely to receive out of network coverage if your primary care provider writes a referral for mental health services.
- We’ve recently experienced success with Single Case Agreements with Cigna.
- Many of our therapists are certified out-of-network providers with Tricare.
Q: How much does a session cost?
A: Sessions range from $190-$225 depending on the type of therapy and the clinician you work with.
We also have clinical interns who are therapists-in-training (and under direct supervision). They are able to see clients at a significantly reduced rate of $20-70 per session. Services provided by clinical interns are not eligible for insurance reimbursement.
According to the Federal No Surprises Act of 2022, you have a right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for how much your medical care will cost.
Q: Does Montgomery County Counseling Center offer discounts on therapy sessions? Is there such a thing as a family discount?!
A: Absolutely! We are committed to providing equitable access to comprehensive mental health services, making it more financially feasible for families to receive the full scope of care they need. Check out our Family Care Plan, designed for families who receive three or more concurrent services with us.
While we do not have a sliding scale for singular services at the time of intake, we are more than happy to discuss financial accommodations or already established clients who’s financial circumstances have changed throughout the course of treatment. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance in these scenarios and email MCCC practice owner Laura Goldstein to discuss options.
Q: Do you offer online therapy?
A: YES! We have options for both online therapy and in-person therapy. Online therapy can only be provided by a clinician who is licensed in the state where you are physically located.
Q: How long will counseling take?
A: The duration of therapy varies greatly depending on each individual’s needs and circumstances. In general, you’ll have a sense of whether it’s a good clinical fit after about three sessions. By around eight sessions, most clients begin to feel the value of therapy, though it’s important to note that not all goals will be met by then. At this point, however, you should be feeling better overall and noticing progress in the right direction.
For many clients, clinical goals are typically met within 6 months to a year, though this timeline can vary. Some clients may meet their goals more quickly, while others may take longer. Ultimately, therapy is a flexible process that adapts to your evolving needs and goals. We strongly encourage an ongoing conversation with your therapist throughout your journey to ensure that you are both aligned and making progress at a pace that works for you. Some clients choose to continue therapy long-term, either to work on new goals or simply as a form of ongoing self-care.
Q: What makes Montgomery County Counseling Center unique?
A: The team of therapists at MCCC works very hard to provide you collaborative care. We strive to understand the whole family dynamic and will recommend a system-based approach when necessary. When multiple members of your family are working with multiple members of our team, we coordinate closely to make sure all goals are aligned for the best outcomes. Family members can grow in the same direction rather than growing in different directions. And if you are working with someone outside of our practice, we will collaborate with them too if you wish!
Q: How do you work with clients from diverse backgrounds?
A: At MCCC, we pride ourselves on being inclusive to all clients. All types of families are welcome here. As are people of all races, religions, sexual and gender orientations. Our founder Laura Goldstein has participated in Shana Murray Browne’s training for Decolonizing Therapy for Black Folks and Anti-Racism in DBT Therapy and actively works with a coach to ensure our practice is constantly improving our accessibility for all people.
Q: I’m a current client. What should I do about my appointment during inclement weather?
A: Great question! The safety of our clients and amazing staff members is our top priority. Please review our inclement weather policy for information about what current clients should during severe weather.
Q: What mental health services do you offer?
A: Our team of therapists offers a variety of counseling services to help our clients achieve their mental health goals.
Our counseling services include:
- Online therapy in Maryland and Washington DC
- Child therapy
- Teen therapy
- Individual adult therapy
- Family therapy
- Couples therapy
- Parent coaching
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- DBT skills group
- Skills group for parents of challenging tweens/teens
We offer clinical supervision opportunities. We also are available for mental health training and presentations throughout the MD and DC areas or nationwide.
Q: How do I get started with counseling at Montgomery County Counseling Center?
A: Check out our awesome team! Read about our services! Then simply fill out the request form HERE!
