Frequently Asked Questions

---

At New Beginnings Christian Counseling, we do not offer free consultations. We consider consultations a valuable service that requires dedicated time from our therapists. During consultations, our therapists share their expertise to address your specific goals and challenges. This time is set aside especially for you, and compensating our therapists for their time ensures that we maintain the quality of our services. Our consultations typically last approximately 15 minutes, providing an opportunity to briefly discuss your needs and determine the best course of action for your mental health journey.  

You may call us at (405) 928-0010 to request an appointment.  Payment is due at the time of scheduling.  

To begin the intake process, please call (405) 928-0010. Appointments are available after completing the intake paperwork.

We offer both in-person and virtual appointments.

No.  Our hours of operation are as follows:

Monday - Thursday:  9am to 5pm

Friday - Sunday:  Closed

Appointments are subject to availability.

We accept the following insurances:  Aetna, BlueCross and BlueShield, Health Choice, and Healthcare Highways. 

Insurances not listed are considered out of network and will be charged the private pay rate.  

Insurance coverage for mental health typically works similarly to coverage for other medical services, but there are some specific considerations: 

1. Coverage Types: Insurance plans may cover mental health services differently depending on the type of plan. Common types include Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), and Exclusive Provider Organizations (EPOs).
2. Covered Services: Mental health services covered by insurance can vary but often include therapy (individual, group, or family), psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and inpatient or outpatient treatment programs.
3. Network Providers: Many insurance plans have a network of providers, and visiting an in-network provider usually results in lower out-of-pocket costs for clients. Out-of-network providers may be covered at a reduced rate or not covered at all.
4. Cost Sharing: Clients typically share the cost of mental health services with their insurance provider through copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles. Copayments are fixed fees paid at each visit, while coinsurance is a percentage of the total cost of services. Deductibles are the amount clients must pay out of pocket before insurance coverage begins.
5. Prior Authorization: Some insurance plans require prior authorization for mental health services, especially for certain treatments or medications. This involves obtaining approval from the insurance company before receiving the service.
6. Limits and Restrictions: Insurance plans may have limits on the number of therapy sessions covered per year or other restrictions, such as requiring a referral from a primary care physician.
7. Confidentiality: Despite using insurance, clients' confidentiality is protected by law. Mental health providers are bound by strict confidentiality rules, and insurance companies are generally prohibited from disclosing mental health treatment details without the client's consent.

Understanding how insurance for mental health works can help clients navigate the process more effectively and make informed decisions about their care.

The cost per session depends on your insurance coverage and benefits.  We strongly recommend contacting your insurance provider prior to contacting us to ensure that the services you request are covered. 

We require you to contact your insurance provider as a part of the intake process by completing an Insurance Verification Form.  By contacting your insurance provider, you will be able to obtain specific details regarding copays, coinsurance, and deductibles.   Doing so ensures that you understand your financial responsible for the services you seek.  

We are not credentialed with insurance providers not listed.  We will be considered an "out-of-network provider" in which you will be required to pay for services at the private pay rate and seek reimbursement from your insurance provider.

No.

No.  

Therapy sessions using insurance are generally 55 minutes for individuals and 50 minutes for couples.  

Therapy sessions using EAP benefits are approximately 30 or 45 minutes depending on the terms and conditions set forth in the agreement by the EAP payor source.

Talking to family and friends has its benefits.  Healthy relationships provide connection and emotional support.  Therapy is a unique process.  The relationship between the client and counselor is formal and goal oriented.  Counselors are licensed  mental health professionals who undergo extensive training to help clients navigate life's difficulties.  Friendships are a two-way street whereas the counseling space is just for you. 

There are too many benefits of participating in therapy to list!  Therapists can provide support, problem solving skills and coping strategies for a wide range of issues. Therapists, being objective, can provide a different or a fresh perspective on a problem that you have been struggling with.

Benefits of therapy depend on your commitment and level of readiness. Some benefits can include, boosting self confidence or improving self esteem, improving communication skills, learning/finding new coping skills, attaining a better understanding of yourself, changing old patterns and developing new ones, or managing your emotional feeling such as sadness, anger or other highly charged emotions you may be feeling.

Each session is unique and tailored to your individual needs and identified goals.  The frequency and duration of therapy depends on the severity of symptoms and complexity of presenting problems.  Short-term therapy focuses on a specific issue while long-term therapy addresses more persistent or complex issues.  

A typical session outline includes a brief review of your symptoms/problems/issues since last session; feedback regarding previous sessions; setting the agenda for the current session and prioritizing the items; review of homework given in the previous session (if applicable); discussing agenda items; reviewing homework for upcoming week (if applicable); and summarizing the current session and exchanging feedback.   Homework assignments may include reading a relevant book, tracking behaviors, or practicing a specific coping skill(s).  For therapy to be most effective, you must be an active participant during and between sessions.  It is important to integrate what you learn during sessions into your life outside of sessions.

When you attend sessions with a therapist, the information you share is protected by strict confidentiality laws enforced both by the Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health and Oklahoma state law.  Without your written consent and permission, we cannot reveal whether or not you are a client of New Beginnings Christian Counseling, LLC, nor can we discuss any information from our sessions with a third party.

***MANDATED REPORTING & DUTY TO WARN ***

If  you pose an imminent danger to yourself or a third person, we are allowed to disclose information to law enforcement personnel or hospital staff to keep you safe and coordinate your care.  If you talk about events that lead us to believe that a child under the age of 18 or an elderly or disabled person is at risk of emotional, physical or sexual abuse; neglect; or exploitation; we are required by law to make a report to Oklahoma Child or Adult Protective Services.

The first appointment consists of an intake interview, which includes collecting in-depth information about the challenges that you face, personal history, and needs for treatment.  During this first session, we will review office policies, privacy and confidentiality, as well as determine whether or not we are a good fit for your therapeutic needs.  In addition, the therapist and client will create a collaborative treatment plan. 

No.  We do not have the expertise or credentials to prescribe medications.