Payment:

    Most therapy conducted at Comprehensive Counseling is covered by health insurance reimbursement. Our counselors are endorsed providers from most insurances companies. This includes Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Health America, UPMC, United Behavioral Health, Value Options & Various EAP plans. Co-pays and session limits may be part of your insurance coverage. Cash payments for therapy are also accepted.

Confidentiality:

    The essence of counseling is having a safe place to talk. Confidentiality is basic to that safety. When clients are free to express themselves without fear of judgment or repercussions, they can express emotion and thing through situations in order to come to their best understanding and make the best decisions about their lives. The counselor's job is to help that process in various ways.

    The confidentiality of information discussed in counseling sessions is legally protected. There are three exceptions to absolute confidentiality. If the counselors decides that the client is an immediate threat to his/her own safety or the safety of another or that there are minors being abused, the counselor is required to act for the safety of all. If the client desires that some information to be released to a third party, the client is required to sign a separate, time-limited request specifying what information and to whom. Also, failure to meet financial obligations may reult in a client's name, address, date of service and outstanding balance information being submitted for legal collection action. At the beginning of counseling the client will be asked to sign a consent form regarding confidentiality.

    Managed care plans such that the primary care physician be informed of a mutual client's participation in counseling. This is particularly useful for the physician if the client is being treated for conditions exacerbated by stress and/or has been referred to counseling by the physician. Permission will be requested at the beginning of counseling. On the other hand, many client have no contact with their primary care physician. A client can refuse to allow this notification for any reason. The counselor need to document this decision.

    Comprehensive Counseling of Washington complies with recent legislation regarding secure transmission of electronic data transmission, H.I.P.P.A. rules, and regularly reviews information handling policies.