Counseling is a collaborative process where a trained counselor offers guidance, support, and professional expertise to help individuals navigate personal, emotional/psychological challenges. The aim is to empower clients with the tools and insights they need to improve their well-being, reduce symptoms and identify personal goals for their lives.

Yes, if…

1. You meet criteria for a mental health diagnosis.

2. Your counselor is in network with your insurance plan.

Self-Pay Counseling Services:

Flexibility: Choose any counselor without being limited to a specific insurance network, and not needing a diagnosis in order to receive counseling services. 


Privacy: Documentation and information does not have to be shared with a insurance plan, so sessions and diagnoses remain completely confidential. 


Fewer Constraints: Counseling duration, frequency of sessions and focus of the counseling goals are determined by you and your counselor, not by insurance policy requirements such as the need for a diagnosis and the focus of treatment of the related symptoms.

Insurance-Paid Counseling Services:

Affordability: Your insurance may cover partial or full costs of counseling sessions, reducing out-of-pocket expenses.

Out Of Network Billing: Your counselor can provide you with a superbill document that you can submit to your insurance to seek reimbursement from your insurance company for out of network services.

Pre-Approval May Be Needed: Some insurances require prior authorization before covering the sessions.

Diagnosis: Most insurances require a mental health diagnosis, and sessions must focus on treatment of the related symptoms using evidence based treatment modalities. This can be an effective means of reducing the distressing clinical symptoms. Once those symptoms are abated and managed more effectively, services will no longer be paid for by insurance plans.

Final Thoughts:

Some may want to get the benefits of counseling without the diagnosis being on file with their insurance company, simply don’t want their health records shared with insurance agencies, or are concerned that other insurance policies might be affected by a diagnosis, such as life insurance policies.

Not everyone in every instance of service will meet the necessary criteria for a mental health diagnosis. Such individuals can still benefit from the support of their counselor and the work done in sessions towards their goals, but will need to self-pay for counseling services.

Not all services qualify for coverage by insurance plans. Marriage/couple’s counseling is one of those services that is not covered by insurance plans, as there is not a diagnosis for marital issues.

Which route you go depends on your personal preferences and goals, financial situation, and treatment needs. Consult with your insurance provider and potential counselors to understand the best option for you.

Typically, a counseling session lasts between 50 minutes to an hour. However, the length can vary based on the counseling type and the client’s needs. You can discuss with your counselor if you have any further concerns about this.

The frequency of sessions is determined based on your individual needs and goals. Some clients benefit from weekly sessions, while others may attend bi-weekly. This is collaboratively decided upon in sessions.

Your counselor may ask that sessions be on a weekly basis in the beginning as the counseling relationship is being forged and goals formed.

The duration of counseling varies from person to person. Some individuals may find relief after a few sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support. The decision is always based on your individual needs, progress and comfort. A significant element of length in counseling is also determined by consistency in attending sessions and the work put into sessions and between sessions.

That said, if you are self paying, your counselor will provide you with a “Good Faith Estimate” that will give you an idea of the estimated number of sessions and associated cost. It is important to remember that is only an estimate, and your counselor can provide you with a new estimate when needed, and it is possible that you may need fewer or more sessions than estimated.

This one deserves some attention.

As to the financial aspect, it is crucial to consider the long-term implications of untreated mental health issues. By neglecting or putting off emotional well-being, there may be risk of experiencing more severe problems in the future, which can be costlier and more challenging to address. Investing in counseling at an earlier rather than later stage may help prevent these issues from escalating, potentially reducing both financial and emotional burdens in the long run.


Counseling can prove to be a significant investment in your well-being. While some may question the value of counseling due to the time and financial commitment involved, it is important to recognize the benefits that can be derived from seeking professional help.


Counseling can provide a safe and private place for people to talk about their feelings, topics they find tough to work through as well as better understand themselves. A counselor can work with you to uncover hidden problems and gain insights into your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This self-discovery can lead to more self-awareness and increased ability to handle difficult situations in life. Whether it is the loss of a loved one, the breakdown of a relationship, or any other significant life event, counseling offers people the opportunity to process their feelings and gain emotional support. By working through these challenging experiences with a professional, individuals can work towards healing and connect with their resilience.

Counselors use various modalities to help folks develop practical skills for handling stress, anxiety, and sadness. By learning better ways to communicate, practice mindfulness, and cope with challenges, people can gain the tools to live more satisfying and balanced lives.
 Counseling can also play a pivotal role in fostering growth and personal development, helping to identify patterns of behavior or thought that might be hindering personal progress. Through collaborative exploration, individuals can challenge negative beliefs, build self-esteem, and develop healthier and more positive thought patterns. The transformative effects of this process often transcends the counseling sessions, benefiting people in their relationships, work, and overall quality of life.

Your first session is primarily a chance for you and the counselor to get to know each other, and for your counselor to inform you about expectations and limitations in the counseling relationship and process. It sets the foundation for future sessions and begins the evaluation and an assessment of your concerns, goals for counseling, and any relevant history. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask questions and understand the counseling process.

This may vary by counselor, though most of them accept various insurance plans. Please contact the office to confirm if the independent counselor you wish to see accepts your specific plan and contact your insurance plan to understand any co-payments or fees you might be responsible for.

Most independent clinicians here are currently in network with:

Blue Cross & Blue Shield

United Health Care

UMR

Optum

TennCare: BlueCare only at this time. If you have a different form of TennCare, you will not able to obtain services from your counselor here.

Aetna

Cigna

Life happens. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please notify your counselor at least 24 hours in advance. Note that last-minute cancellations are subject to a fee, as is no showing. Click here to learn more about the cancelation policy.

Absolutely. It is import to select a counselor you can be comfortable with and trust in counseling. You can request to see a specific counselor, though depending on your schedule and their, it may take time to get a session booked. Evenings and afternoons tend to be the most sought after times, so choosing mornings or early afternoons may help you get in sooner.

It’s essential to have a good therapeutic relationship for effective counseling. If you feel the fit isn’t right, please let your counselor know. You could ask them for a referral if you wish.

If you’re experiencing a crisis or emergency, please call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room. SWCS and your independent counselor is not equipped to handle emergencies or immediate crises, but we have listed on our website crisis helplines/services. Click here to see those resources.

This may vary by counselor. Your counselor may utilize a service that offers two apps for mobile devices. One is the client portal app that allows for the completion and sharing of certain forms, scheduling, payment options and more. The other is a Telehealth app for secure video sessions, click here for links to download the app and learn more about Telehealth.

Call To Request an Appointment

Please do not come in person to make an appointment or make an inquiry as there is no in-office admin staff.

Appointments are only made via phone call. Typically, voicemails inquiring about starting services are returned within 2-3 business days, though during times of high demand for services or holidays it may take longer.

If you would like to learn more about our counselors , click here.

All counselors are offering both Online Secure Video and In-Person Services at this time.

Click here to call us and request a initial session.

This varies by counselor, but so you will need to look at the web page that lists the different independently practicing counselors to see if they offer: individual, couple’s/marriage counseling, or counseling for parent’s and their children.

We do offer group counseling when there is demand for it. If you think you may benefit from group counseling, please call our office and let us know what issue or topic you would like to see addressed in a group setting, even if you are not a current client.

Each counselor in our practice has their own areas of focus and specializations, so check to see if the counselor you want to see provides the services you are seeking.

If you work at a school, church or place of business that is interested in learning more about some aspect of mental health (e.g., communication, group dynamics, preventing/managing burnout, etc.), please don’t hesitate to reach out. Depending on your circumstances and desires, there may be a clinician that could be able to tailor something that addresses your team’s needs.

Forms of payment accepted: card, cash and check.

Anyone that places a card on file authorizes for charges to be made to take care of the balance on their account.

Telehealth clients must have a debit or credit card on file.