FAQ

How do you know if professional help is really necessary?

We all experience conflict during our lives, both as children and adults. In fact, every developmental stage comes with conflict, and finding resolution to that conflict is how we mature emotionally.

However, when conflict leads to behaviors or feelings that are worrisome – like interfering with daily activities and relationships, whether at home, school or work – that’s a good time to seek consultation or help.

Keep in mind that calling for a phone consultation or coming in for an evaluation does not mean that you’ve committed to therapy. In fact, therapy may not be the recommended course of action.

What should I expect the first session?

For children or adolescents

The first session is a 2 hour appointment, divided into two parts. After the initial paperwork is completed, we meet with the parents to gather a full history and assess the current symptoms and functioning. Then we talk with the child alone, gathering similar information. It is always helpful to have input from each parent and the child, but we do recognize that it isn’t always possible to have both parents attend.

This session is also your time to ask any questions about our practice or treatment in general. At the end of the initial session, we provide our recommendations regarding treatment. If everyone agrees to begin working in treatment together, we will schedule your next appointment.

For adult patients

The initial session is a 50-minute, face-to-face evaluation to gather a full history and assess the current symptoms and functioning. We use this information to make a recommendation regarding treatment. We will also address any questions or concerns you may have, and complete some paperwork.

For children and adolescents, what role will the parent have in the child’s treatment?

Parents have an essential role in therapy. To be frank, we are not willing to see a child in therapy unless the parent or guardian is willing to participate in the therapeutic process.

While the time spent in therapy is important to deal with psychological issues, the time spent in the therapist’s office is limited. So it is useful to give parents the ability to carry the work done in the therapy office into their own environment. That is why “family work” is always a part of a child’s therapy.

The amount of parental involvement can range from spending a few minutes talking with the parent at the beginning or end of the session to having separate family sessions, with or without the child.

Going to therapy can be private and personal. How confidential is the experience?

All information is kept strictly confidential. We adhere to the laws of privacy and confidentiality enforced by the state and federal law, as well as professional standards and ethics set forth by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists and the American Psychological Association.

Any information about your evaluation, treatment, or contact with us, by law, cannot be disclosed to any person or organization without your express written consent. If you are 18 years of age or older, this includes disclosing information to your parents or spouse, even if they are paying for therapy.

There are some legal exceptions to this rule that are necessary to be aware of:

• If you disclose information or a plan to harm another person, we are required to warn the intended victim and report this information to legal authorities.
• If you disclose or imply a plan for suicide or self-injurious behavior, we are required to notify legal authorities and will make a responsible attempt to notify your family or significant others.
• If you start to suggest you are abusing a child (or vulnerable adult), or that a child (or vulnerable adult) is in danger of abuse, we are required to report this information to the appropriate social services and/or legal authorities.
• If you admit parental exposure to potentially harmful controlled substances, we are required to notify the appropriate authorities.
• If you disclose the identity of a mental health professional who has engaged in any sexual contact with you during your treatment, we are required to notify legal authorities. Should you request that your identity be protected in making this report, we are not permitted to disclose your identity when contacting authorities.
• If you are involved in any legal proceedings and/or a court order for your psychological records has been placed, we are required to disclose information related to your treatment if requested via a subpoena summoned by a Judge.

Release of Information Form (download document) – This form allows communication between Dr. Chase & Associates and those specified. If needed, please download this form, sign and return to our office.

Since I am an adolescent and under 18 years old, does that mean that my parents will find out anything I tell you?

If you are under 18 years of age, your parent(s) or guardian has a right to know how you are doing in therapy and I might share general concerns or worries I have about you with them. However, I make every effort not to tell them specific things that you and I discuss.

If there is something you and I agree your parent(s) or guardian need to know, we decide how best to convey this information to them. Sometimes I may meet with only your parents or guardian, sometimes I may meet only with you, and other times we may all meet together.

If you discuss plans to seriously hurt yourself, hurt someone else, or you tell me that someone you know is hurting you, I am required by law to tell your parent, guardian, or someone else who can help.

How long does treatment last?

The length of treatment depends on many factors and can vary. Some patients are able to successfully work through their treatment goals in a few visits; others require longer periods of time. Eating disorder treatment is a prime example of a more involved, and typically longer course of treatment.

Length of therapy depends on the complexity of the issues, your and your family’s motivation, and determination to make changes and work towards meets the therapeutic goals. As much as I wish I could accurately predict the length of treatment at our first session, it is often impossible to do. As therapy progresses, we like to maintain an open dialogue about the progress and process of the therapy.

What qualifies you to treat eating disorders?

Providing eating disorder treatment requires extensive training in the field, from both the clinical and research sides. Training for specialists involves clinical work in inpatient and outpatient eating disorder treatment settings; presenting and publishing in the field of eating disorders in local and national venues; regularly attending continuing education in the field of eating disorders; and active membership in an eating disorder treatment organization.

How do you deal with payment and billing of the appointments?

Payment is due at the time the service is provided. We accept cash, check, or credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, American Express). At the end of every month, we will mail a monthly statement of your visits and fees paid.

Please note that in order to avoid being charged for missed appointments, 24-hours advanced notice of cancellation must be provided.

Do you take insurance?

No, we are not in-network on any current insurance panels. However, most insurance plans offer “out of network” benefits on their mental health plan.

Out-of-network coverage allows you, the insured, to choose your provider and the insurance company compensates a percentage of the visit. In these cases, payment is still due at the time of service and when you receive your monthly statement, you can submit that to your insurance company. The monthly statement contains all the necessary information requested by the insurance companies (i.e. diagnostic code as stated in the DSM-IV, CPT code for type of service, fee, etc.).

How do I schedule an initial appointment? And what is the intake process?

To schedule an initial appointment please call our office at 512-347-9992 and our office staff will gather some initial information about your treatment needs. The staff will provide you information about our practice and answer any initial questions that you may have.

This initial information will help Dr. Chase and her associates assess whether or not our practice is an appropriate treatment source, or if it would be best to refer you elsewhere.

If it appears to be a good fit, either Dr. Chase or her associate will follow-up with a phone call to discuss treatment options. Occasionally, our caseloads are full and we temporarily stop accepting new patients. If this is the case, we will give you the option to stay on our waiting list, or receive additional referrals.