What is crisis intervention or emergency counseling?
Crisis intervention or emergency counseling is when you or someone you know needs to see a counselor as soon as possible. Appointments for crisis intervention or emergency counseling are set up the same day that you call or walk in.
What do I do if I or someone I know needs crisis intervention?
Call 911
or
Go to Magruder Hospital emergency room or the nearest hospital emergency room
or
Call - 419 734 2942 ext. 0. Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
After 5:00 pm, weekends and holidays contact 1 800 826 1306 - HOTLINE number.
Who is eligible for crisis intervention?
Anyone!
How do I set up a regular appointment?
You can call either of our offices to set up an intake appointment.
In Port Clinton call 419 734 2942 ext. 0.
In Oak Harbor call 419 898 0077.
When you call or come in our office staff will ask you for basic information such as name, address, phone number and a brief reason for scheduling the appointment. They will also explain what to bring with you to the intake appointment. We will call you to remind you of your appointment. If time allows you will receive a confirmation of your appointment by mail.
What happens at the first appointment?
The first appointment at our agency is called an intake appointment. The intake appointment is NOT a counseling appointment. At this appointment any necessary paperwork will be completed, our agency policy and procedures will be explained, fees will be explained and an appointment for an assessment will be set up. You will also provide information concerning finances, employment and insurance, so that the cost of treatment can be determined. The intake specialist will then arrange your first appointment.
How much will counseling cost?
The cost of counseling depends on many factors including the type of counseling and your insurance coverage. Insurance policies vary greatly but most private insurance and health maintenance organization plans offer some mental health benefits. Contact your health insurance provider for details on your coverage for treatment. If you need financial assistance a sliding fee scale is available. This is based on your income and the number of dependents. If you have Medicaid, there is no charge to you for the services you receive. The fees for the services will be determined at the intake appointment.
What if my insurance company denies paying for treatment?
Insurance companies manage care by a process called utilization review. The insurance company's goal in reviewing your treatment is to determine if the treatment recommended is covered under your health insurance plan and if your condition is "medically necessary", that is, if the insurance company feels that your treatment is essential for your physical and/or mental health. Some steps you can take to increase the likelihood that your insurance company will pay for treatment services include: (1) obtain and review your health plan's utilization review and appeals procedures and find out who the phone number of the insurance company's member or consumer relations office (2) obtain pre-authorization - make any calls that your insurance company requires before you get treatment and if needed let us know if we need to call or complete any forms for your insurance company. (3) sign release forms so that we can talk to your insurance company on your behalf. It is important to feel safe sharing personal information with your insurance company so you need to discuss with the counselor what they can or cannot release in order to obtain authorization on your behalf. If you are denied, insurance companies are required to offer an appeals process. If you do appeal you need to be prepared to advocate aggressively for the care needed through the insurance company' consumer or member relations department. Please contact your counselor for help if you decide to appeal.
Are you a provider for any insurance companies?
At this time the only insurance company that we are a provider for is Medical Mutual. It is always recommended that you contact your insurance company to find out if your plan covers outpatient mental health or substance abuse benefits and determine your specific benefits. If you have coverage, our agency will file the insurance for you, and you will be responsible for the appropriate co-pay and/or deductible. If you are not covered by Medical Mutual, many other insurance companies provide out of network benefits that will pay a portion of the fee. Once again we recommend that you check with your insurance company to determine if your plan covers out of network benefits for outpatient mental health or substance abuse and obtain specific benefits. If you have coverage, our agency will file the insurance for you, and you will be responsible for paying the difference between the total fee charged and what your insurance company pays.
What is an assessment?
A counselor will be meeting with you for the assessment which lasts about 90 minutes. During this session with the counselor, several things will be accomplished. First, you will have a chance to describe why you are seeking counseling, and why you chose this particular time to do so. Also, of interest will be things like how long you have been troubled by this problem, what you have tried in the past to solve it, whether it resembles problems you have had in the past, something about your family background, and other possible areas of interest like a history of abuse, substance use, and general health. At the end of the session, the counselor will help you plan a course of action which may include:
* Assigning you to a counselor, either the one you are talking to or to someone else, for ongoing counseling.
* Making an appointment for you to talk with a counselor who leads a group to decide if the group would be helpful for you.
* Suggesting some other action you could take to improve your situation.
* Referring you to another counselor if they offer more appropriate services.
What is counseling?
Counseling is a change (growth: healing) process in which people are helped to:
* express themselves in a safe, supportive, collaborative, non-judgmental climate.
* identify, sort-out, clarify their problem stories.
* identify non-helpful patterns (e.g "crisis" pattern)
* learn, where appropriate, more helpful coping skills
* identify and achieve goals that are important to them.
In counseling we look for what we find good in ourselves. The good can be used as a model for the things we would like to change. Your counselor has a broad range of experience in developing "helping relationships" and working with many different situations.
Why do people seek counseling?
People seek counseling for a variety of reasons. Counseling can be helpful if you or a loved one:
* Are struggling with a situation or life transition
* Are not coping well.
* Want to make a decision or discuss options about a situation.
* Are experiencing troubling symptoms.
* Are experiencing difficulties in a relationship.
* Are experiencing difficulties with communication.
What issues can be discussed in counseling?
Counseling is an open forum for any issue you wish to discuss. Some common issues that are addressed (but not limited to) in counseling are:
MENTAL HEALTH
* Depression
* Anxiety
* Suicidal thoughts
* Obsessive thoughts
* Compulsive behaviors
* Bereavement/Grief/Loss
FAMILY
* Marital/Couple issues
* Parenting
* Child behavior issues
* Academic issues
* Sexual issues
COMMUNICATION
* Interpersonal relationships
* Work
* Social relationships
* Family
PERSONAL GROWTH
* Coping strategies
* Setting new life goals
* Decision making
* Self-esteem
* Time management
* Feelings of inadequacy
* Loneliness
* Stress
* Women's issues
* Alcohol or drug concerns
If you are experiencing these or any other issues, counseling may be helpful for you in resolving these issues.
How do I know if I need counseling?
If you are struggling with issues and trying to decide if you should seek counseling, consider one or more of the following:
* The frequency (how often) of symptoms. If you are having symptoms every day or multiple times a day, then counseling may be helpful.
* The duration (how long) of symptoms. If symptoms have persisted most every day for at least two weeks, counseling may be helpful.
* The number of symptoms. Several symptoms may mean the issue is more important for you.
* How you are coping with the situation. If your daily life and functioning is affected, counseling may be helpful.
*How many areas of your life are affected by the situation. Determine which areas of your life are affected: your personal functioning, work/school, social life, relationships, family.
* Your general feelings about the situation and your ability to cope with the situation. Trust your instincts.
Am I crazy if I need counseling?
No. Counseling is a service intended for everyday people struggling with everyday life events. Life happens to all of us, and at some point, we all need help dealing with difficult life events or transitions. Counseling is one way to seek help for those difficult events. Most people seeking counseling are looking for relief from troubling symptoms, a new perspective on their issues, more effective coping strategies, or help with decision making.
What can you expect from your counselor?
You can expect someone who is interested in listening to your concerns and in helping you develop a better understanding of them so that you may deal with them more easily and effective. Your counselor will take you seriously and be willing to openly discuss anything you wish to discuss. Expect your counselor to focus the session on you , and not on others. If you have any questions about what is going on, by all means ask. Counselors have no "magical" skills or knowledge, and will be unable to solve your problems directly for you. Your counselor will want to work with you, but won't do for you what you are capable of doing for yourself. Your counselor will maintain strict confidentiality about you. The counseling sessions are intended for your growth and wellness. During the initial sessions, it is important for you to feel comfortable both with the counselor and the counseling process. If you have any reservations about how the counseling sessions are going, please discuss these issues in the counseling session. Sometimes, counselors and clients may not work well together due to personality differences. If you think this is the case, contact Dr. Williams, the Clinical Director of The Giving Tree who will refer you to another counselor who may be a better match for you.
What is my responsibility in counseling?
Your main responsibilities in counseling are to attend your regularly schedule session, talk about what is bothering you as openly and honestly as you can, and complete any task or "homework" assignments you may be asked to do. You are expected to let your counselor know if you are unable to make it to a session. Most counseling will require you to try something new or different. Another thing your counselor will expect is for you to be willing to experiment and try things without jumping to conclusions. Your are also expected to let your counselor know when your problems have been solved as well as let your counselor know if you don't feel like you're making any progress. This is most important - your counselor is most interested in your benefiting from counseling.
How long will I need to see a counselor?
Individual counseling generally involves focusing on the concerns you have raised. Individual counseling at The Giving Tree uses a short-term therapy model. However the length of counseling depends on your needs. Some people need only a few sessions to meet their particular needs, others opt for ongoing treatment. You and your counselor will develop strategies to address your goals, and then determine the length of time needed to resolve these concerns. Counseling sessions last about 60 minutes. Most clients complete between 8 and 20 sessions. The goal of counseling is to help you acquire the skills needed to live a more effective life and successfully overcome a difficult challenge. Your willingness to address issues and work on those issues both inside and outside of the counseling sessions may also affect how long you need to attend counseling.
Who are the counselors at The Giving Tree?
The Giving Tree is staffed by trained professionals with bachelors, masters and/or doctorates in counseling, psychology, social work, or psychiatry or are advanced trainees in their disciplines.
How private are my visits to The Giving Tree?
What you discuss with your counselor or other staff at The Giving Tree is confidential. We can share no information with other parties without your prior informed consent. The only exception to this is in situation where your safety or that of someone else is at risk. According to Ohio law, there are a few instances in which confidentiality must be violated:
* If you are imminently suicidal (thinking about or trying to hurt yourself)
* If you are homicidal (thinking about or trying to hurt someone else)
* Active cases of child abuse.
* Active cases of elder abuse.
Confidentiality is crucial in the successful treatment of adolescents and children. However, parents have a legal right to know information that is discussed in counseling sessions. Balancing these issues can become tricky. Our agency's policy with children is to inform both parents and children of the limits of confidentiality and ask that parents respect the child's confidentiality within the counseling session. The counselor will discuss with both the parents and children that the counselor will report progress in general terms with parents without divulging pertinent details as necessary. In addition, when the counselor thinks that information needs to be shared with parents, the counselor will discuss these issues with the child and they will jointly decide how to inform the parents about the issues at hand.
Group counseling provides an environment that is safe and trusting and confidentiality is crucial for success. At the beginning of a group the counselor will discuss the importance of and the limits of confidentiality. It is expected that the group members will provide all other members the same level of confidentiality that they wish for themselves.
Is treatment with medication available through The Giving Tree?
Yes. We have psychiatrists on staff who can prescribe psychiatric medications for a range of emotional or psychiatric issues, if necessary.
Is my child too young for counseling?
Like adults, children have big worries, too. Loss of a loved one, low self esteem, divorce in the family are all common issues that many kids struggle with. Because children do not have the words to explain what is troubling them,. professional counselors help them sort tout issues through play. Puppets, drawings, dollhouses, and other toys are all effective methods that counselors use with children.
Some warning signs in young children include:
* Unable to separate from parents
* Aggressive behavior
* Anxious or fearful
If your child could benefit from counseling support, we can help.
What services are available at no cost?
Case management for children, adolescents and adults is available at no cost. Vocational/employment services for adolescents 14 yrs and older and adults recovering from mental illness are available at no cost. Prevention and intervention services for youth and families are available at no cost. Consultation is available at no cost. These services are funded through the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Erie and Ottawa Counties. Any Ottawa/Erie County resident can seek information on available services.
What are mental illnesses?
Mental illnesses are diseases that cause mild to severe disturbances in thinking, feeling and behavior. These disturbance may significantly impair a person's ability to copy with life's ordinary demands and routines. Just like other medical conditions, mental illnesses vary greatly by type, symptom and severity.
What causes mental illness?
Many psychiatric disorders can be linked directly to a biological origin. There may be emotional or psychological reactions to environmental or social situations. Some of these disorders may be temporary, caused by extreme stress or life changes. Treatment may include medicines, counseling, and support.
Isn't mental illness a rare disorder?
One in three Americans will experience a mental illness during their lifetime. Psychiatric problems affect people of all ages, in all income groups, in urban and rural areas and in all religions. No one is immune to mental illness.
Do people ever recover from mental illness?
Depending on the type and severity of the mental illness, a person can learn to cope, improve, and experience a full recovery with proper care and treatment. As many as eight in ten people suffering from mental illness can effectively return to normal, productive lives. Unfortunately, only one in five people with a diagnosable mental disorder seeks treatment.
Do children get mental illnesses?
Approximately 12 million children - infants through 18 years old -- suffer from diagnosable psychiatric disorders such as depression, attention deficit disorder, and pervasive development disorders. Serious depression, once thought to affect only adults , is now known to affect one in 50 children. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among youngsters between the ages of 15 and 19. Among this age group, 18 suicides occur daily.
What are the warning signs of mental illness:?
Substance abuse, "growing pains" or menopause may mask signs of mental illness. Individuals abusing drugs or alcohol may be seeking ways to cope or self-medicate mental illness. Repeated visits to a doctor with complaints of flu-like symptoms or colds may also be symptomatic of an underlying mental illness. Often the warning signs are ignored because of the stigma that persists - that the sadness is s sign of weakness and they should just "snap out of it." Confronting mental illness can be an overwhelming experience. Knowing the warning signs is very important.
Ten warning signs!
1. Marked personality change.
2. Inability to cope with problems and daily activities.
3. Strange or grandiose ideas
4. Excessive fears, worries and anxieties.
5. Prolonged depression, apathy, sadness or irritability.
6. Feelings of extreme highs and lows
7. Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits.
8. Excessive anger, hostility or violent behavior.
9. Abuse of alcohol or drugs.
10. Thinking or talking about suicide.
Parents of children/adolescents should also watch for these signs and symptoms!
1. Defiance of authority, truancy, theft and/or vandalism
2. Intense fear of weight gain
3. Prolonged negative mood, often accompanied by poor appetite or thoughts of death
4. Frequent outbursts of anger or temper tantrums
5. Persistent disobedience or aggression
6. Change in school performance and/or poor grades despite strong efforts
7. Hyperactivity
8. Persistent nightmares.
What can I do if I think a friend or relative needs counseling?
If you are concerned about a friend or relative and are not sure about how to help them we'd like to help you. Feel free to stop by or call to talk with one of our counselors - your conversation will be confidential. We'll try to help you figure out how you can talk with your friend or relative about your concerns in a way that will be helpful, and how to refer them to The Giving Tree if that seems like the right thing to do.
What can I do if I'm unsatisfied with the care I am receiving at The Giving Tree?
Feeling comfortable with the mental health professional you have is very important to the success of your treatment. As you work with your counselor or doctor, you should begin to feel gradual relief from your distress, develop self assurance, have a greater ability to make decisions and experience increased comfort in your relationship with others. At times, counseling may be painful and uncomfortable but episodes of discomfort can occur during the most successful counseling sessions. If you feel you are not getting results or don't feel comfortable with the counselor it may be because the treatment you are receiving is not the one best suited to your specific needs. First, discuss these concerns with your counselor. A competent counselor will be eager to discuss your reactions to counseling and respond to your feelings about the process. If you are dissatisfied with the services you are receiving you can request a consultation with the clinical director, Marty Williams by calling 419 734 2942. If you are still not satisfied please ask to speak to one of the agency's administrators - Mariann Davids (419 734 2942) or Ann Kersten (419 898-0077).