Whether you’ve participated in therapy before or it’s your first time, we’re happy you’re here and we hope to make the process as enjoyable as possible. We encourage you to ask any questions you may have throughout the scheduling process or in your first few sessions. Below is a general idea of what you may expect once you reach out for services. 

 

Scheduling

 

In order to schedule your first therapy appointment at Blackberry Counseling Center, you can either call us at (217) 471-4229 or email us at contact.blackberry@blackberrycounselingcenter.com. Our goal is to get you scheduled as soon as possible with a therapist at the practice or provide you local referrals. 

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It may be helpful for you to be prepared to answer the following: 

 

What are you seeking counseling for?

 

In order to make sure we’re able to meet your needs, it is helpful to have a brief description of what you’re seeking therapy for. Some examples may include: depression, anxiety, substance abuse, conflict with family, poor life enjoyment, recent death in the family, etc. 

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What times/days may work for you to meet with a therapist?

 

We try our best to accommodate client's needs when scheduling sessions though sometimes this may not be possible given clinician availability. 

 

Will you be utilizing insurance?

 

f you’re planning on using health insurance, please have your insurance information available. We will collect all your insurance information and verify your benefits. We try to provide you with your insurance benefits prior to your first appointment. You may owe towards your deductible, owe a co-pay, or a co-insurance. You are also encouraged to contact your insurance carrier to verify your mental health benefits.

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**We are currently only in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, AETNA, and CIGNA. We will bill out of network insurance providers but it will be your responsibility to contact them to find out what your out of network insurance benefits are. We will also allow out of pocket payment for services. 

 

Are there any needs related to building accessibility?

 

Our office building, offices, and bathroom are all handicap accessible. In addition, we will continue to offer telehealth services. If there are any additional needs you'd like us to be aware of please do not hesitate to let us know. 

 

Your First Sessions

 

After you’re scheduled with a therapist, you will be given access to a virtual client portal where you're able to complete paperwork prior to your first session, unless otherwise specified. 

 

Therapy sessions are approximately 53 minutes long. The first few sessions, the clinician will be completing an evaluation, in order to identify a diagnostic impression and treatment goals for therapy. This process may take one or more sessions. At Blackberry, our priority is helping you find the best fit therapeutically as well as to find the best fit for a therapist, our clinicians are prepared to discuss clinician fit with their clients and will provide the appropriate referrals as needed. These first sessions are also a good time to discuss any questions you may have about therapy, Blackberry Counseling Center policies, procedures, billing, etc. 

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No Surprises Act

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Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, health care providers and health care facilities are required to inform individuals who are not enrolled in a plan or coverage or a Federal health care program, or not seeking to file a claim with their plan or coverage both orally and in writing of their ability, upon request or at the time of scheduling health care items and services, to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” of expected charges.

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 1 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 www.cms.gov/nosurprises

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