Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
What is CHARIS?
CHARIS (pronounced “CARE-us”) is a counseling center in Orlando, Florida staffed with caring counselors who provide help to clients with a wide range of needs. The word CHARIS is Greek for grace. Grace is unmerited (undeserved) favor (support, act of kindness).
What are your office hours?
Counseling hours vary between therapists resulting in a schedule that provides counseling opportunities Monday through Friday mornings, afternoons, and early evenings. Our staff pages provide more detail of each therapist's office schedule.
If you wish to speak with someone, you may call our desk (407-894-5202) between 9 AM and 4 PM, Monday through Friday. If we are away from the desk, please leave a message with a return phone number.
top of page »
Appointments
How do I set an appointment with a therapist?
Simply contact our office and request an appointment. You may request a specific therapist or we will be glad to match you with one that will fit your needs.
How long does therapy last?
Each individual session usually lasts about 50 minutes, although your therapist may sometimes recommend a longer or shorter session. Frequency of sessions (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc.) will be decided by you and your therapist. The length of therapy varies with each client depending on his/her needs and therapeutic goals.
Can I schedule phone sessions?
Yes. While our therapists generally prefer face-to-face meetings, we understand that circumstances sometimes prohibit this. Phone sessions are charged at the same rate as in-office sessions.
What about missed appointments?
In consideration of our staff and other clients, we ask for at least 24-hour notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Payment is required for missed appointments or late cancellations.
top of page »
Fees
How much do sessions cost?
Fees are established by each therapist and range from $90 to $175 per session. Scholarship forms for fee adjustments may be requested from your therapist.
What forms of payment are accepted?
Payment is due upon the completion of each session. You may pay by cash, check, or credit card (AMEX, Visa, or MasterCard).
Do you work with insurance companies?
We counsel on a fee-for-service basis and currently do not accept third-party payments. We do, however, provide our clients with insurance-ready receipts that can be submitted to insurance companies providing their coverage. Check with your insurance provider to determine the specifics of your coverage/reimbursement.
Do you offer reduced fees for those in financial need?
Yes. Our counselors each provide a number of scholarships for clients based on financial need. Scholarship application forms are available for download on our resources page.
top of page »
Privacy
What does "confidentiality" in counseling really mean?
Confidentiality means that information about you is never released to others without your written permission. Everything said in therapy is confidential and will not be disclosed except when reporting is required or permitted by the HIPAA Privacy Standard or Florida state law. Exceptions to confidentiality include the following:
- suspected abuse of a child, developmentally disabled person, or a dependent adult;
- potential suicidal behavior;
- threatened harm to another, which may include knowledge that the client is HIV positive when there is an unwillingness to inform individuals with whom the client is intimately involved; and
- when required by compulsory process
Information may also be disclosed if you sign a written authorization or in the event that you file a complaint against your counselor. Payment by check, bank or credit card allows bank employees to view names of CHARIS clients. If you have caller identification on your phone, the name of the agency may appear on the monitor.
In keeping with generally accepted standards of practice, supervision and consultation may be made regarding the management of your treatment with other mental health professionals, including other counselors in the center, who are bound by the same rules of confidentiality.
In some situations cell phones may be used by counselors to contact clients. Please note that e-mail is NOT a confidential means of communication.
top of page »
|
