Swank Counseling  21 Robinhood Lane   Troy, OH      (937) 339-9876
We have moved to 21 Robinhood Lane off North Market in Troy. We are the first office on the right facing Robinhood. [Directions]

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            We specialize in getting you an appointment quickly.  We offer most people an appointment in less than 48 hours.
 

Problems we help solve:

• Feeling Stuck
• ADD/ADHD
• Marriage/Relationships
• Parenting
• Depression
• Stress and Anxiety
• Anger Management
• Addictions
• Bipolar Spectrum
• Repetitive Behaviors

(new)  Alcohol Abuse

Challenging Kids

New Patient Information and FAQ-Frequently Asked Questions

Many people have questions about the counseling process.  And counseling is such a personal process.  The following are many of the issues that people who are entering counseling wonder about. This may not answer all of your questions, but I hope it answers most of them.

Philosophy of Care
Risks and Benefits of Therapy
Length and Frequency of Treatment
Length of Appointments
Confidentiality and Privacy
What does it Cost for Counseling
Missed Appointments or Late Cancellation
Insurance Coverage and Responsibility
If I Meet You Outside The Office 
Privacy and Disclaimers

Philosophy of Care

 Mr. Swank has a practical, and scientific approach to dealing with counseling problems. His whole career has been dealing with the role of medicine and mental health. He frequently coordinates treatment with physicians to optimize and improve moods, behavior and emotions with medication. This often allows the counseling to be more productive and beneficial.

The goal is to provide information and practical solutions to life's tough problems. He believes that the more informed you are about various conditions and situations, the better you can make good choices.

Counseling is also the process dealing with feeling "stuck" about something, and then figuring out ways to become "unstuck." Once people start feeling less stuck, they start feeling better.

Mr. Swank believes that the client needs to set the goals for counseling.

Risks and Benefits of Therapy

There are risks as well as benefits of therapy. There are no guarantees with counseling. Stirring up old painful feelings creates distress for some. Merely talking about issues with a stranger is difficult for some. Exploring relationship issues is often difficult and there is often the hope that others will make more changes than they do. Some issues are much harder to treat than others are. Sometimes the problems that exist between the client and others are played out between the client and the therapist. Clients come with a mixed set of assumptions, both looking forward to change, but deep down resisting change and finding it hard to let go of old patterns. Thus the role of the counselor is to confront those feelings and actions. And that can be sometimes painful and upsetting.

On the other hand, the benefits of therapy have been well documented by research. Clients can learn better ways to handle stress, they are able to talk through and resolve issues, and they can learn better communication styles. Parents can learn to handle discipline better, and learn to gain cooperation from family members. Many people in counseling report an improvement in the quality of their life. Many people report less stress, fewer conflicts and a generally improved sense of well-being.

Length and Frequency of Treatment

Many people assume that therapy is a long process. However, most people are seen in the range of 4-12 sessions. There are a few people who have chronic situations that need more care, but that is fairly uncommon.

I typically see people about every other week. In times of greater stress or crisis, it may be more often for a short period of time. There are other situations that need monitored on a monthly or every two-month basis. The goal of treatment is always to need the therapist as little as possible, not to grow to depend on the therapist.

Length of Appointments

 We have scheduled 45 minutes* for your appointment. (See below why a 45 minute session with Swank Counseling means more therapy time than with most other counselors who spend longer with you.)

We sometimes are running a bit behind schedule and emergencies do arise. However, we will do our best to give you quality service and not rush you through an appointment. However, we ask you to use the time wisely.

Please, do not wait until the session is almost over to ask important questions or share important information. If you wait until the end, then it may seem that you are cut off, because there is not adequate time to discuss the issue. If you arrive late, this also may mean that you will have less time for your session.

If you have a session longer than 45 minutes from us,  you have received a bonus. If the situation is quite complicated or is an emergency situation, then there may be an additional charge for sessions longer than 55 minutes. Insurance may or may not pay for that additional charge.

*Insurance companies usually demand extensive paper work, and they know that this must be done outside of the counseling session. Thus they allow a 45-50 minute session.

In addition many therapists take 10 minutes or more during the counseling session to:

• schedule the next appointment
• handle financial payments
• deal with insurance matters
• do extensive paperwork during the session while you wait
• Spend time asking you questions that we handle through paperwork or through the initial phone call

This further shortens the actual time spent with counseling.
Rather our staff will take time with you on these matters before or after the session.

Confidentiality and Privacy

Information is not shared with others without your consent, except for situations specified by law. (See exceptions below). We will ask for a written release of information so that you are aware of information that is being shared. Our office frequently will send you a copy of correspondence sent to others on your behalf.

Children under 18 years of age technically do not have confidentiality rights, but it is my goal to give that to children, especially teenagers, as much as possible. I discuss with teens issues that they do or do not wish shared, and try to respect that. It has been my experience that almost all parents understand such confidentiality is necessary to the counseling experience. However, I do share in general terms with parents information about children, so that parents can understand the child better.

Exceptions about Confidentiality: The following are exceptions allowed or required by law

1. When there is a threat against another person. 

2. Where there is a threat against one's own life.

3. When there has been physical or sexual abuse of a child or elderly person. (in this case, the counselor, by law, must report abuse).

4. When a court orders or allows a subpoena of the records of a person*

* You may unwittingly lose your right to confidentiality in lawsuits.  For example, you are involved in a car accident. You sue the person who caused the accident because of your pain, suffering and trauma, as well as expenses for injuries.  Because you initiate the lawsuit, your entire life likely becomes open for investigation.  Thus the opposing side may have the right to subpoena information regarding your emotional health.

Managed Care Means Shared Information: Managed care plans require the sharing of information about you and your condition. This is required in order to get authorization and thus payment for services. In theory, this information is confidential. However, the managed care companies may share with the employer general statistical information, such as how many people accessed care, the average number of visits, and perhaps even the type of diagnoses. Some people choose to pay for their counseling themselves in order to ensure confidentiality.

Filing Insurance Leaves a Trail, too: In order to file insurance, there must be a "medical necessity" to your counseling.  A diagnosis needs to be made and filed.  That diagnosis can have some consequences for you.  Unfortunately there have been cases of denied health or life insurance, or difficulty with government related jobs or military.

If you file health insurance claims, that information most likely gets entered into a data bank about your health, in the same way that diagnoses in a physicians office, hospital or the prescription you receive is also tracked with your medical history.

Private Payment leaves the least trail, and it can be up to you whether you disclose that information. Also with private payment, there does not need to be a diagnosis.  Thus since no diagnosis has been made, there may be little consequence to your counseling.

How much does Counseling Cost?

Like any investment, counseling costs money.  I hope you think of it as an investment in yourself and in your family.  Most things that people spend money for are usually for necessities or items to improve the quality of life, to increase pleasure or satisfaction. A great deal of money spent in families is to feel better or "enjoy life."

It may also be wise to ask what is the cost of not getting counseling. People who are depressed spend much more for health care.  Panic attacks are very expensive with trips to the emergency room. Many people spend great amounts for tutoring their child, when a proper diagnosis and treatment may make it easier for the child to learn. Parents spend great amounts of money trying to make their children happy.

Going to court over custody disputes might be averted with post-divorce counseling. Money spent on nicotine, alcohol or drugs or new cars to feel better is a significant factor.  And people who are stressed or unhappy are much more likely to not feel well.  Families can be a great source of pleasure and happiness, but if relationships are going poorly, everyone feels miserable. There is often a high cost to not getting help.

If you or your family members are not feeling good, or doing well, or arguing too much, it may be worthwhile to invest in counseling to help the situation become better. It is my experience that very few people pay more than the price of a new big TV set for counseling for themselves or their family.

I frequently see people who invest less than $500 in counseling solve problems that have been a huge concern for years.  There is even some evidence that certain people who get counseling often do better financially, because they feel better about themselves.

The fees for counseling are as follows for 45-50 minute appointments:

Initial Appointment   $130
Individual and Family Appointments  $110
Testing $110

If you have insurance, you may have a co-pay or you may often use your Health Savings Account.

Other fees for services are available upon request

Missed Appointments or Late Cancellations

If you miss an appointment or cancel with less than 24 hours notice except in the most serious situation, there will be a charge for the appointment. The reason is that I have scheduled this time exclusively for you. There is often no way to schedule another person into that time slot, even though we may have several people waiting for appointments. Our office answering machine will accept your message even on the weekend and evenings, and records the time that you call. We will honor cancellations, even if called in over the weekend if done 24 hours before your appointment.

This policy works both ways. If I need to cancel an appointment with you with less than 24 hours notice, your next visit is free.

Because some people "call in sick" at the last minute when they are in fact dropping out of treatment, there will be a charge made to your account for such late cancellations even if you or your child is sick.

Insurance Coverage and Responsibility

 You are responsible for the account, and you may have insurance that helps with payment. But the terms and conditions under which insurance companies pay are a contract is between you, the employer and the insurance company. We often help to try to determine your coverage by calling your company, but in reality the information shared with us is not always correct or reliable.

We file claims as a convenience to you, but our responsibility ends at the point of filing a correct submission. Following up because of your insurance company's incompetence and random denial of claims is not our responsibility. We reserve the right to charge you for that service, since it is your responsibility, not ours.

If I Meet You Outside The Office

Since some people may feel uncomfortable about the counseling relationship outside of the office, my policy is that I will not greet you in public unless you initiate the contact or it is fairly clear there is no one else around. This is mentioned so that it is clear that I am not trying to be rude, but protect your confidentiality, if you so desire. If you like, I will usually take a couple of minutes to chat.
 

Privacy and Disclaimers

1. The use of email from this website is no more or less secure than another other email. Do not send information that you are concerned about being confidential.

2. I do not plan to use your email address in anyway whatsoever except to perhaps answer your email. Your name will not be sold, used for newsletters or any other purpose. (I don't have time to mess with it)

3. The information in this website is not intended to offer specific medical or counseling advice for a particular person. It is designed to be general in nature. For specific advice, you must contact a professional who can diagnose and treat disorders.

4. Information regarding medication is not intended to supercede or replace your physicians prescribing. Consult your pharmacy or check the prescribing information included with your medication.

5. This website is not intended to solicit internet counseling. It is designed to solicit counseling in my office in Troy, Ohio.

6. However, if you wish to consult with Mr. Swank regarding issues in this website, a consultation can be arranged by phone, based on an hourly rate. Payment can be made through your credit card. The cost  for phone consultation is  $1.00 per minute, minimum of $15.00. Call 937-339-9876 from 8-5 Monday through Friday Eastern Daylight Savings Time.

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