FAQ
Some of our most Frequently Asked Questions, however if you don’t find an answer to your question, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
Common Questions About Counseling and Mental Health Therapy
When seeking therapy and evaluating whether a counselor is a good fit for you, here are some common questions you may have and answers explaining how we can help.
What types of therapy do you offer?
We offer a variety of therapeutic approaches, including:
- Individual counseling
- Couples counseling
- Gottman couples counseling
- Counseling for families
- Grief counseling
- EMDR therapy
- FLASH therapy
- Addiction and substance abuse counseling
- Mental health therapy
- Art therapy
- Play therapy
- Psychological testing
- ADHD, learning disabilities, autism, and personality disorders for all ages
- Mental health screenings
- ADD/ADHD testing
- Early enrollment academic testing
- Career assessments
- Mindful eating
- Mindfulness education
- Yoga
What ages do your therapists work with?
We have therapists who work with children, adolescents, and adults. Our child therapists’ schedules are often filled due to the limited availability of afternoon and evening appointments.
How do I know if therapy is right for me?
Therapy can be helpful if you are feeling overwhelmed or stuck or if you are struggling with emotional or mental health challenges. Common reasons people seek counseling include:
- Anxiety, depression, ADHD, or stress
- Divorce, blended family, relationship, intimacy, or family issues
- Trauma or past abuse
- Life transitions or major decisions
- Grief and loss
- Personal growth or self-exploration
- Gender identity
- Disruptive behavior patterns
- School or work problems
- Addiction — pornography, sex, internet, food, and/or substances
- Sleep disruptions
If you’re uncertain, we offer an initial consultation to discuss your concerns and determine if therapy is a good fit.
What should I expect during my first session?
Your first session is an opportunity to get to know your therapist, share your reasons for seeking counseling, and discuss your goals. We will also talk about confidentiality, the structure of our sessions, and any administrative details. The first session is typically more about building rapport, starting the therapeutic process, and determining if your therapist is the best fit for you.
Do you offer in-person therapy?
Yes! We offer in-person therapy sessions. We have offices in Raleigh, Wake Forest, Rolesville, Cary, and Wilmington, North Carolina.
Do you offer Telehealth?
Yes! We offer online therapy, or telehealth, across the state of North Carolina. We offer secure online therapy sessions via videoconferencing for clients who cannot attend in person or prefer remote options. Telehealth can be a convenient and effective way to receive counseling. It works best for kids over the age of 8 and adults.
How long will I need therapy?
The length of therapy depends on your personal goals and the issues you are addressing. Some people benefit from just a few sessions, while others may engage in longer-term therapy. We will regularly review your progress together and adjust the frequency and length of sessions as needed.
How often will we meet?
In most cases, clients meet once a week for a 50-minute to one-hour session, although this can vary depending on individual needs and circumstances. Some clients prefer sessions every two weeks, while others may need more frequent meetings during particularly challenging times. When children are seen, family therapy sessions and separate parent sessions are often necessary.
Do you accept insurance?
We accept many major insurance plans. Please contact us to check whether we are in-network with your provider. If we are not in-network, we can provide a receipt for out-of-network reimbursement, depending on your insurance benefits. We currently accept BCBC, Cigna, Aetna, United Healthcare, and Medcost. We have several therapists who are in-network with Tricare. We do not accept Medicaid or Medicare.
What if I don't have insurance or can't afford therapy?
We offer a sliding scale for those who may not have insurance or are facing financial difficulties. We typically have an intern or practicum student on our team to assist with offering reduced-cost therapy services. Please reach out to us to discuss options. We also offer referrals to low-cost community resources when available.
Are sessions confidential?
Yes, confidentiality is a fundamental aspect of our work together. Your personal information and the details of our sessions are kept private, with some exceptions, such as risk of harm to yourself or others, or as required by law. We will discuss the specifics of confidentiality in your first session.
Can I talk to my therapist between sessions if I need support?
While our sessions are the best time for in-depth discussion and support, we understand that life can sometimes feel overwhelming between sessions. Your therapist will discuss appropriate ways to contact them, such as by email or phone, and whether emergency or brief check-ins are available. However, please note that regular sessions are the primary mode of support.
What is the cost of therapy?
Our fees vary depending on the type of service, the length of the session, and whether you’re using insurance or paying out of pocket. Please reach out for specific fee information. We are committed to providing quality care at a price that works for you.
What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule an appointment?
We understand that unexpected circumstances can come up. We request that you give at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Late cancellations or no-shows may incur a fee, as this time was reserved for you. Please make sure to reach out to your therapist to discuss payment concerns if something unexpected comes up.
What should I do if I’m in a crisis?
If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 911 for assistance from police, fire, or ambulance, or visit your nearest emergency room. For non-urgent crises, you can contact a local crisis hotline or speak with your therapist about creating a crisis plan.
How do I schedule an appointment?
You can schedule an appointment by calling our office, sending us an email, or filling out our online intake form. We will get back to you as soon as possible to confirm your session time and provide any additional information.
What if I’m not sure if therapy is working for me?
It’s completely normal to have concerns about progress during therapy. We encourage open communication with your therapist throughout the process. If something isn’t feeling right or you’re unsure about your progress, please talk to your therapist — we can make adjustments to the approach or consider different treatment options if needed. Our therapists want you to be matched with the best therapist for you. If you think another therapist might be a better fit, please let us know. Finding the right therapist is crucial to your success.
Common Questions About Counseling and Mental Health Therapy
When seeking therapy and evaluating whether a counselor is a good fit for you, here are some common questions you may have and answers explaining how we can help.
What types of therapy do you offer?
We offer a variety of therapeutic approaches, including:
- Individual counseling
- Couples counseling
- Gottman couples counseling
- Counseling for families
- Grief counseling
- EMDR therapy
- FLASH therapy
- Addiction and substance abuse counseling
- Mental health therapy
- Art therapy
- Play therapy
- Psychological testing
- ADHD, learning disabilities, autism, and personality disorders for all ages
- Mental health screenings
- ADD/ADHD testing
- Early enrollment academic testing
- Career assessments
- Mindful eating
- Mindfulness education
- Yoga
What ages do your therapists work with?
We have therapists who work with children, adolescents, and adults. Our child therapists’ schedules are often filled due to the limited availability of afternoon and evening appointments.
How do I know if therapy is right for me?
Therapy can be helpful if you are feeling overwhelmed or stuck or if you are struggling with emotional or mental health challenges. Common reasons people seek counseling include:
- Anxiety, depression, ADHD, or stress
- Divorce, blended family, relationship, intimacy, or family issues
- Trauma or past abuse
- Life transitions or major decisions
- Grief and loss
- Personal growth or self-exploration
- Gender identity
- Disruptive behavior patterns
- School or work problems
- Addiction — pornography, sex, internet, food, and/or substances
- Sleep disruptions
If you’re uncertain, we offer an initial consultation to discuss your concerns and determine if therapy is a good fit.
What should I expect during my first session?
Your first session is an opportunity to get to know your therapist, share your reasons for seeking counseling, and discuss your goals. We will also talk about confidentiality, the structure of our sessions, and any administrative details. The first session is typically more about building rapport, starting the therapeutic process, and determining if your therapist is the best fit for you.
Do you offer in-person therapy?
Yes! We offer in-person therapy sessions. We have offices in Raleigh, Wake Forest, Rolesville, Cary, and Wilmington, North Carolina.
Do you offer Telehealth?
Yes! We offer online therapy, or telehealth, across the state of North Carolina. We offer secure online therapy sessions via videoconferencing for clients who cannot attend in person or prefer remote options. Telehealth can be a convenient and effective way to receive counseling. It works best for kids over the age of 8 and adults.
How long will I need therapy?
The length of therapy depends on your personal goals and the issues you are addressing. Some people benefit from just a few sessions, while others may engage in longer-term therapy. We will regularly review your progress together and adjust the frequency and length of sessions as needed.
How often will we meet?
In most cases, clients meet once a week for a 50-minute to one-hour session, although this can vary depending on individual needs and circumstances. Some clients prefer sessions every two weeks, while others may need more frequent meetings during particularly challenging times. When children are seen, family therapy sessions and separate parent sessions are often necessary.
Do you accept insurance?
We accept many major insurance plans. Please contact us to check whether we are in-network with your provider. If we are not in-network, we can provide a receipt for out-of-network reimbursement, depending on your insurance benefits. We currently accept BCBC, Cigna, Aetna, United Healthcare, and Medcost. We have several therapists who are in-network with Tricare. We do not accept Medicaid or Medicare.
What if I don't have insurance or can't afford therapy?
We offer a sliding scale for those who may not have insurance or are facing financial difficulties. We typically have an intern or practicum student on our team to assist with offering reduced-cost therapy services. Please reach out to us to discuss options. We also offer referrals to low-cost community resources when available.
Are sessions confidential?
Yes, confidentiality is a fundamental aspect of our work together. Your personal information and the details of our sessions are kept private, with some exceptions, such as risk of harm to yourself or others, or as required by law. We will discuss the specifics of confidentiality in your first session.
Can I talk to my therapist between sessions if I need support?
While our sessions are the best time for in-depth discussion and support, we understand that life can sometimes feel overwhelming between sessions. Your therapist will discuss appropriate ways to contact them, such as by email or phone, and whether emergency or brief check-ins are available. However, please note that regular sessions are the primary mode of support.
What is the cost of therapy?
Our fees vary depending on the type of service, the length of the session, and whether you’re using insurance or paying out of pocket. Please reach out for specific fee information. We are committed to providing quality care at a price that works for you.
What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule an appointment?
We understand that unexpected circumstances can come up. We request that you give at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Late cancellations or no-shows may incur a fee, as this time was reserved for you. Please make sure to reach out to your therapist to discuss payment concerns if something unexpected comes up.
What should I do if I’m in a crisis?
If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 911 for assistance from police, fire, or ambulance, or visit your nearest emergency room. For non-urgent crises, you can contact a local crisis hotline or speak with your therapist about creating a crisis plan.
How do I schedule an appointment?
You can schedule an appointment by calling our office, sending us an email, or filling out our online intake form. We will get back to you as soon as possible to confirm your session time and provide any additional information.
What if I’m not sure if therapy is working for me?
It’s completely normal to have concerns about progress during therapy. We encourage open communication with your therapist throughout the process. If something isn’t feeling right or you’re unsure about your progress, please talk to your therapist — we can make adjustments to the approach or consider different treatment options if needed. Our therapists want you to be matched with the best therapist for you. If you think another therapist might be a better fit, please let us know. Finding the right therapist is crucial to your success.
Get in Touch
Phone (919) 556-6501
Text (919) 228-8315
Fax (919) 556-4933
info@BowmanFamilyServices.com