Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. How do I make an appointment?
A. Call 214-768-6789
Q. What happens after I call to make an appointment?
A. The general therapy process is:
- Call to complete a phone assessment.
- If appropriate, schedule an in-person intake
- Come into the clinic for intake to determine if we can meet your needs. If not, appropriate referrals will be provided.
- Begin meeting with your counselor.
Q. What happens during the intake?
A. You will get to see the clinic, talk with a counselor, and complete the necessary paperwork to begin counseling services.
Q. Is there a chance you won't take me (or my child) as a client?
A. Yes. After conducting the intake session, whereby the counselor gathers information about your (or your child's) specific issues, the Clinic Director will review the file. If the Director feels that you (or your child) would benefit from seeking the services of a more experienced counselor or a counselor who could continue your services for a longer period of time, you will be notified and given recommendations for another agency, clinic, or professional that might be more appropriate for your needs.
Q. How long does each counseling session last?
A. Sessions last 50 minutes for adults. For young children, sometimes the session will be shorter.
Q. How long will I come to counseling?
A. How many counseling sessions a person has varies based on individual need. What is important to know is that your counselor will discuss a treatment plan with you so that your concerns and goals can be addressed on a timeline.
Q. Does coming to counseling mean that my problem will go away completely?
A. Counseling is a process of personal exploration and may or may not lead to major changes in your life problems, perspectives, and/or decisions. The exact nature of these changes cannot be predicted. Together, you and your counselor will work to try to achieve the best possible results for you.
Q. How often will I get to talk to the counselor if my child is coming to counseling?
A. You will have ongoing parent consultations with your child’s counselor so that you will be able to get feedback on how the counseling is going for your child, ask any questions, and share concerns, thoughts, and other ongoing information pertaining to your child.
Note: Parents are required to attend counseling if their child is receiving services with us. This could be individual, couples, family, or filial sessions.
Q. How much does the counseling cost?
A. At the clinic our maximum fee is $45.00 per session with a sliding fee scale to make counseling services affordable to all. A reduction in cost is also given for multiple individuals in a family attending counseling. The expense of the counseling services at the clinic is like that of an insurance co-pay without having to involve insurance in any way.
Q. Does the clinic bill insurance?
A. The clinic does not file reimbursement for insurance. However, a receipt will be provided to you should you decide to file yourself.
Q. What makes the clinic unique?
A. The clinic is a state-of-the-art-clinic offered through SMU! The counseling is provided by our stellar Master’s-level Counseling students who have finished the majority of their coursework and are working on accruing their hours for graduation. In addition, each Master’s student is under the guidance and supervision of a seasoned, licensed faculty or staff member at SMU.
Q. What is the best part about coming to the clinic?
A. We have true compassion for whatever circumstance or life-stage issue may be occurring in your life. In times of strife, nothing takes the place of having a warm, understanding, safe, and knowledgeable person to assist you in making changes to overcome some of those hardships or confusing times. Whether it be your 5-year old child struggling with anxiety or you, personally needing to work through some tough issues…whatever the circumstance(s), we are here to help in the best way possible (i.e., whether by providing you with counseling services through the clinic or giving you other resource information).
Southern Methodist University (SMU) will not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, education activity, or admissions on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. SMU's commitment to equal opportunity includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.