Counseling Wichita KS        

Wichita Counseling and Coaching Center

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does  Psychotherapy Take?  

Therapy is generally a gradual process of gaining insights, understanding, and gaining new skills and attitudes.  We often recommend that clients see a therapist weekly, for 50 minute sessions, in the beginning.  Having appointments spaced more than a week apart in the beginning will generally slow down therapy substantially because an important part of the process is gaining rapport and trust between the therapist and client.   

How many sessions are necessary depends on the problem, the level of support the client has, and how long the problem has existed.  Recent problems are usually much quicker to deal with than long-standing problems.  Some clients will feel noticeable improvements in just a few sessions, twelve sessions is usually considered brief therapy.  For more longstanding problems a client may come for a few months or occasionally for more than a year.  In some cases family therapy, instead of or in additional to individual therapy, will be recommended. 

We set goals with clients and clients are free to end therapy at any time they choose.  We will discuss if a client's goals are short-term or long-term oriented. Some clients want only very brief, solution focused counseling, and that is fine with us.   Many of our clients see us for short term counseling, terminate counseling when the crisis is over and return for additional sessions at times of great stress later in life.  Other clients are interested in more long-term emotional growth. 

Fees:  How much do the counseling services cost?

That is a question that is best answered by calling our office. Most of the time the cost depends on your insurance coverage.  The reason for that is that most of the time the services are covered by health insurance and we are preferred providers with many health plans in Wichita.  As In-Network providers, we agree to write off a certain amount of our fees for insurance subscribers. There may be a deductible or co-pay, which is collected at the time service is provided.  When there is both primary and secondary insurance the client often has no out of pocket expense. (Our current full fee rates are comparable to other licensed professionals in the area and  are listed in the fee agreement in the forms that are downloadable from the  New Clients page. However, please note that most clients don't pay very much of that fee out of their pocket because of the insurance coverage.)

Are you "In-Network" on my insurance?

Commercial health insurance policies: 

Some of our providers are "In-Network" on most of insurance networks in our area, including but not limited to: Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Preferred Health Systems and PPK, Definity, CIGNA,  Aetna, United Health Care, Coventry of Kansas, and Century Health Care. We are  providers for policies of the areas largest employers such as  Spirit, Boeing, Cessna, Raytheon, Via Christi, and USD 259. 

Many other insurance companies have contracts with the above networds or have "out-of-network" benefits.  Because many of the networks and plans are complicated, if you call our office we will be happy to check on your insurance and see which providers are "in-network" on your policy and what the benefits cover.

Medicaid: Some of our therapists, including our Spanish speaking therapist, accept Medicaid. 

Medicare:  We are not currently accepting Medicare. 

Tricare: Most of our therapists are Tricare Certified and see a good number of Tricare clients because for many there is only a small cost difference between using an In-Network or Out-of-Network provider.  One of our providers is in-network.   

Healthwave: Some of our providers accept Healthwave 21.  Some of our providers accept Healthwave 19.  Some of providers do not accept either Healthwave.

What if I want a counselor that shares my faith?  Or a counselor who has kids?  Or a counselor who has _____________?

We are private, independent practitioners and respect your right to choose exactly what type of therapist you want. This is not an agency where you get "assigned" to a therapist.  Feel free to ask us about our individual beliefs, therapeutic approaches, life experiences, or any other beliefs or philosophy, in a free consultation. 

Where are the offices located in Wichita?

We have three locations to serve clients. Our main office (and business office) is located near Kellogg and Ridge Rd in West Wichita, at 520 S. Holland, Suite 401. Click here for map to the Main office. Most of our therapists see clients at that location. 

Two of our therapists also have East Wichita locations. Vanessa Whalen practices only at her East Wichita office, which is located near Central and Rock Road, at 260 N. Rock Road, Suite 207. Marilyn Possett sees clients at her East Wichita office at 1861 N. Rock Road, Suite 103, on Mondays.  On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays she sees clients at our 520 S. Holland office.

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