Frequently Asked Questions

Claibourne Counseling FAQs

• Where is your office?

  We offer in-person therapy services for those living in the greater Phoenix area, and we also offer online counseling services for individuals residing anywhere in Arizona. All online therapy sessions use secure videoconferencing technology.

  Our office is located near the McCormick Ranch community in Central Scottsdale at the Hayden Park executive plaza:
  10613 N Hayden Rd, Ste J-100 & J-103
  Scottsdale, AZ 85260

• How much does therapy cost and do you take insurance?

  The cost for mental therapy in Arizona varies on the provider and if you make use of insurance.

  At Claibourne Counseling, we do not bill insurance directly, we are considered an out-of-network provider. Some insurance companies will reimburse a portion of the sessions if the plan allows – it just depends on what the out-of-network coverage is. We encourage you to call your provider to determine your coverage benefit.

  Prices range from $150 to $190 per 50-minute session and $250 to $290 per 80-minute session. Family and couples therapy costs the same per session as individual therapy. Cash, credit cards, and HSA debit cards are accepted.

• What precautions are you taking for COVID-19?

  We are taking CDC recommended measures to keep our environment sanitary. We have hand sanitizer available in office and sinks for hand washing. Our office is configured to allow for social distancing so it is your decision to wear a mask or not – whatever you feel most comfortable with. Please feel free to reach out to us directly for any specific questions you may have!

• What are the counseling services offered at Claibourne Counseling?

  Every person’s story is special and deserves an individualized approach. We utilize EMDR, CBT, DBT, EFT, Play Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Family Systems Work, The Gottman Method, and more! Our goal is to validate and meet you where you are while also challenging you beyond your comfort zone. We believe in holding a safe space where you can be heard and where we can work together to help you become your best self.

• Have the Claibourne therapists been in therapy personally?

  Heck yeah, we have!! Therapy has helped us become better people and better therapists, too! We make it a goal to practice what we preach!

  Taking care of yourself and your mental health is not a shameful thing; you can be proud that you are doing everything in your power to be the best version of yourself.

• How long are the therapy sessions?

  Our first appointment will be 80 minutes. This gives us time to get to know each other, break the ice, assess your goals, and see what’s been working and what has not been serving you. After the first session, we offer both 50-minute and 80-minute sessions, depending on your needs.

• How many times per week should I see a therapist?

  We encourage new clients to attend once per week for the first 4-6 weeks. This schedule allows for a working relationship to grow and gain momentum.

  When the time is right, we will adjust your sessions to bi-weekly or on an as-needed basis. Graduating to less frequent sessions is a win; it’s just about learning how to use the innate power within you to move forward.

• How long does therapy last?

  There is no easy answer to how long therapy takes because every individual is unique! Some see improvements in just a few sessions, and others need several months to feel significant changes.

• Is it OK to contact my therapist in between sessions?

  Life happens! If there is something that comes up for you that you would like to discuss sooner than later, you can absolutely reach out to schedule a therapy session ASAP. Rescheduling and cancellations are the most common. Additional emails or voicemails about other matters once in a while are typically fine, however, each therapist maintains their own personal set of boundaries around contact between sessions so they will let you know directly.

• Do you have evening appointments available?

  This depends on the individual therapist. We will do our best to accommodate your scheduling needs. Typically, there is some evening availability, but those slots are limited. If you do require evening sessions or any other specific times, please let our scheduling administrator know so they can match you with a therapist with those offerings.

• With what ages do you work?

  This depends on the individual therapist. We typically work with adults of all ages, both male and female. We also work with children and adolescents. The age of kids and teens seen is unique to the trainings and specialties of each therapist. You’ll be able to see their age ranges on our meet the team bio pages – or you can simply ask our scheduling admin for guidance on finding the right fit!

• Do you work with couples and families?

  We love working with couples and families. We have several therapists that specialize in treating couples with modalities such as Gottman and EFT. And we also have a few therapists that work with families on a case-by-case basis. Your needs should be mentioned to our scheduling administrator for the initial matching and then you’ll dive deeper during your consultation call with the therapist where they can advise on a plan for moving forward.

• Do you allow therapy pets in your office?

  We love animals! You can absolutely bring your *certified* emotional support animal. We want you to get the most out of your session and having your therapy pet plays an important role.

• Do you have a cancellation policy?

  We understand life happens. However, once we schedule your appointment, that time is reserved in our schedule for you.

  If you do have to cancel a session, we require a 48-hour advance notice. The full fee for the session will be charged if the required advance notice is not received. That said, please know that we will do our best to work with you in an emergency.

• Can I talk to a therapist online?

  You absolutely can! At Claibourne Counseling we offer online therapy for anyone residing in the state of Arizona. You’ll need a computer, tablet, or smartphone with video capability and a reliable Internet connection. You should have a quiet space for some privacy with little background noise to focus and hear each other. It’s super easy – we’ll email you a link, and you’ll be able to jump right into the video therapy session knowing your privacy is protected just the same as if you were in the office.

• How do I get emergency mental health treatment?

  For more immediate concerns, please refer to these resources:
  Emergency Medical Services – 911
  988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline – 988 or (800) 273-8255
  SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline – (877) 726-4727
  Phoenix/Maricopa County Crisis Hotline – (602) 222-9444
  Phoenix/Maricopa Non-Crisis Warmline – (602) 347-1100

  It is a good idea to ask your primary care doctor for initial direction for mental health services to help you choose the type of provider might be the best fit for your needs. Your insurance company may also be able to provide you direction and resources. The numbers on the back of your insurance card sometimes contain a mental health hotline or a main customer service line which would put you in the touch with providers.

• How do I start working with you at Claibourne Counseling?

  You can reach us directly via phone at (480) 485-8824, email us at Info@ClaibourneCounseling.com, or message us on Facebook @ClaibourneCounseling. We will then set up a free 20-minute consultation with a therapist on our staff we think will be a good fit for your needs.

  Because therapy works best when you are comfortable with your provider, it’s important that you find someone with whom you feel on the same page. During the initial consultation, the therapist will hear the reasons you’re seeking therapy and the goals you want to achieve from your sessions. They will then explain their approach and ideas, and if you agree they’ll set up your first appointment!

  If you don’t find a fit in your initial consult, no worries… Our admin team will work to get you setup with another one of the therapists on our team or refer you to an outside counselor we think might suit you. The most important thing is that you are matched with a therapist with whom you feel compatible!

General Therapy FAQs

• Who benefits from therapy?

  We have yet to meet an individual who has not found significant benefits from therapy!

  In the past, there was a stigma that only mentally ill people go to therapy. But the truth is that the majority of people who receive counseling are everyday people just like you.

  Let’s face it; life is hard, and sometimes we have hurdles we would like help managing. We want to know if we are on the right path in life, if we are performing optimally in our jobs and relationships, and, overall, we want and NEED a safe space where we can be totally honest and validated.

  And, yes, of course, therapy benefits those struggling from more serious issues… BUT it is also great for those just wanting clarity, peace of mind, and direction.

• When should you get marriage counseling?

  It is not uncommon for a relationship to change over time – this can happen fairly early on or after years together. Without conscious positive actions to maintain strong bonds, couples can grow apart. Even couples who are doing well together can benefit from the improved communication skills and relationship strategies offered in couples counseling.

• Do unmarried couples go to counseling?

  Of course – all the time! In our society today, legal marriage does not define a couple. Anyone in a close relationship can benefit from couples counseling. This includes life partners, boyfriends/girlfriends, couples considering premarital counseling, and business partners going through bumps in their working relationship.

• What is the success rate of couples/marriage counseling?

  Success rates are always highly variable and largely dependent on the amount of effort each individual puts into the process. That said, studies indicate that couples counseling has around a 70% success rate when utilizing Emotionally Focused Therapy and The Gottman Method. These therapy methods provide evidence-based tools to effectively rebuild closeness and connection when both people are committed to the relationship and making it work.

• Should I see a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist?

  All are licensed mental health professionals who can treat behavioral problems. However, each has varying degrees of education and specializations. For more detail, please check out these two blog posts:

  The Differences Between Counselors, Therapists, Psychologists, and Psychiatrists and Which Should I Choose?

  What do all those letters mean? – LPC, LCSW, LMFT, PsyD…?

• What are the five stages of counseling?

  Counseling is a process that brings about change – but it doesn’t happen all at once! Most therapists follow a set of five basic stages from the beginning to the end of the therapeutic process. Knowing this outline in advance can help you know what to expect and be prepared for as you enter therapy for the first time. Read all about the five stages of counseling here!

• Can a therapist diagnose a mental health illness?

  Yes, a therapist can diagnose a client with things like clinical depression, chronic stress, or anxiety disorder. However, there are particular diagnoses that a therapist may still refer you to a psychologist for further testing, like those on the Autism Spectrum. Read more about how a therapist can diagnose a mental health illness here.

• How long does it take to train as a therapist?

  The short answer, it takes 9-12 years to become a licensed therapist. Read on for a more detailed answer on what it takes to become a licensed therapist.

• How much does therapy cost in Arizona?

  In general, in the state of Arizona, mental health therapy prices range from $100 – $350. Here at Claibourne Counseling, we offer a few different options for your counseling treatment. Click here for more on therapy pricing in Arizona and at Claibourne.

• Should you tell your therapist everything?

  Yes. We understand the hesitancy and not wanting to open up completely. But when we hide things in counseling, that’s only suppressing things from yourself. Click here to read more about the counseling process, and why telling your therapist everything is so important.

• What is the most common type of counseling?

  Each therapy practice will have its own type of counseling that it specializes in. Click to read the 7 most common types of counseling found today, along with brief explanations and links to further expanded definitions of each.

• What are the qualities of a good counselor?

  While the qualities of the best therapist can be subjective, click here to read the most widely agreed upon qualities that a good therapist or counselor should have, starting with empathy.

• What is the difference between a counselor, therapist, and psychologist?

  The short answer is their education. A counselor or therapist rarely holds a Ph.D. Typically, counselors and therapists hold bachelor’s and/or master’s degrees in their areas of practice. Read on to learn more about the differences between a counselor, therapist, and psychologist.

• What is the difference between a family therapist and a counselor?

  The two are very similar. A counselor will see individual people, but a family therapist, or family counselor, will see multiple people in the room at once. A combination of the two is very beneficial as well. Click here to read more about the differences between a family therapist and a counselor.

• What is the most common type of counseling?

  CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is the most basic modality that a therapist will learn in school. Talk therapy, DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) are also very common. Read on to learn more about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and what it can treat.

• What type of therapy is used for depression?

  If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of depression, your therapist may employ a few different modalities of therapy for treatment. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for depression. Read this to learn more about the different therapy modalities used to treat depression.

• Will my therapist tell my parents what we talk about?

  The short answer is no. Your confidence and trust in your therapist are an important part of your counseling relationship. Click here to read all about the counseling process between minors and therapists.