What is Counseling
At its core, counseling is a chance to talk over whatever is on your mind with a professional, objective person who is trained to listen and help you. Your counselor is someone who can help you learn more constructive ways to deal with the problems or issues in your life.
We’re a counseling practice full of dedicated, caring experts. Whoever you choose to work with, we can be a source of support for you when you are going through a difficult period in your life, or when you are under increased stress, such as changing careers or experiencing a relationship crisis.
Counseling can help you learn new skills and ways of looking at situations so that you will be more capable of solving problems on your own. We can help you with your personal life, or your relationship, alone or together, in person or online.
Here are some of the commonly shared reasons many people may want to make see a counselor:
We are are non-judgmental, caring, objective, professional, experienced helpers.
We try to make you comfortable in talking -- they understand and help with your initial anxiety.
We know about the concerns and problems shared by most people.
Lots of people are seeing us today for "check ups" to make sure they are "okay".
All counseling is completely confidential. No information is released to anyone without written consent.
Getting the Most out of Counseling
When our clients begin counseling, they often ask us what they can do to get the best results in the shortest period of time. Here are some tips I hope you’ll find useful for making your time in counseling successful:
Choose a therapist with whom you feel comfortable. This is critically important. This is why we offer free initial phone consultations!
- Try to write out any goals or anything you "want" to get from counseling
- Openly share your thoughts and feelings
- Voice your concerns and complaints
- Follow through with homework and recommendations
The Counseling Process
Step 1: Contact us
Everything begins with the first step. I encourage you to reach out to us through any of the following ways: either call us at 678-999-3390, email us at info@counselingatl.com, or schedule a free introductory call today.
Your first conversation with one of our counselors is important because we want to ensure that we are a good fit, and that we can help you. If not, we want to help you find a counselor who will suit your needs. We will ask you about why you are interested in counseling, what you hope to achieve through counseling, as well as some basic background questions. You are welcome to ask me any questions, too!
Step 2: Register as a new client
Once you are a registered client, we will allow you to schedule online through the online client portal; there, you will be able view your counselor’s calendar. Select one of our available appointments, click to “reserve” that session, and then select what type of counseling session you prefer (in-person or online). You will be prompted to complete the initial paperwork (Step 3). You will receive an email later when we have confirmed each session request.
Step 3: Complete Initial Paperwork
After our first email or phone conversation, you will need to complete the initial paperwork. When you visit the online client portal, you will create a username, password, and profile. You will be asked to read and agree to my policies (privacy statement, professional disclosure, payment agreement) and then complete the initial intake form, which takes approximately 30 minutes - 1 hour.
Step 4: Our First Appointment
Our first appointment is an opportunity for you and your counselor to meet one another other (in-person or online) and gather more information about you and your needs. During your first session, your job will be to tell your story as openly as you can and to decide if our counselor is a good fit for you. You and your counselor will finish by discussing whether you want to work together, and if so, to develop a plan.
Step 5: After The First Appointment
Counseling can be brief or long term, depending on your concerns. During the first appointment, I will make recommendations about duration of treatment. For example, some people only want to come to see me for a one-session "check up" or "consultation", just to see what a trained professional has to say. More often, however, our clients continue to see me after the first session, with weekly sessions over several months. Several clients have seen me for years. All of our clients know that unless otherwise directed, they are welcome to see us for a period of time, stop for a while, and then re-initiate therapy at a later time if they need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We have a range of fees based on clinician experience levels, ranging from $130 - 400 per 45 minute individual session or 80 minute couples session, to several thousand dollars for multi-day “marathon” style intensives for couples. Please click on the link below to schedule a free call with any of our therapists to answer your questions and decide which therapist would work best for you.
Likewise, feel free to email us at info@CounselingATL.com and we will get back to you asap!
Payment is due at time of service, and online storage of credit card information for automatic, recurring processing is the required payment method. We accept debit/credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express) and many HSA cards are accepted, but you will need to verify that your account has sufficient funds prior to meeting with us.
Please note that 48 hour advance cancellation of scheduled appointments is required in order to avoid being charged for the full session fee.
We believe that therapy is an important decision and investment of time and money; you want to make sure you are making the right choice. Having a "good fit" between a client and therapist is critical for a successful outcome. This is why we offer a free 30 minute initial phone or video consultation if you would like to meet any of us before deciding whether or not you would like to work with us. Here are some tips for choosing the right therapist.
Also, if you cannot afford our services, are not able to see a counselor in-network with your insurance company, or need low fee counseling services, please consider contacting one of the training facilities, community counseling centers or educational institutions in Georgia we’ve compiled on this list. Although we are not able to see every couple at a reduced cost, your ability to afford treatment should never be a barrier to getting help, and thankfully there are many privately and publicly funded agencies that can help!
LEARN MORE ABOUT LOW-COST COUNSELING SERVICES FROM PRIVATE AND PUBLICLY FUNDED AGENCIES
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YOUR INDIVIDUAL INSURANCE PLAN DETERMINES WHAT YOU MAY BE REIMBURSED
You will need to call your insurance and provide them with the license / degree of your chosen therapist and to ask if they will reimburse you for couples therapy.
Click on the following to see this helpful worksheet; when calling your insurance company to see about the possible costs of working with us:
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To view our current workshops, please click HERE.
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To learn more about Gottman Couples Therapy, please check out our page.
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Yes, we offer premarital counseling! Visit our page to see if it’s right for you.
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We offer individual counseling to support you on your journey.
Learn more about our services by visiting our page.
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Here is a list of our current support groups that we offer.
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Discernment counseling can help you on the right path in making this decision. Learn more about whether this type of counseling is right for you.
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We offer two convenient locations in Poncey Highlands and Buckhead.
Learn more about our locations here.