THE COUNSELING PROCESS
What happens when you have your first appointment with Dr. Martin? For your convenience, Dr. Martin can email you your paperwork to complete before your first appointment. This paperwork includes information about you and your reason for seeking services, your client rights, and a disclosure page with Dr. Martin’s licensure, education, training, and counseling style, and a financial responsibility form. When you enter the building, you will find a comfortable Waiting Area, and Dr. Martin will come out to get you at the time of your appointment.
What happens during the first session? Dr. Martin will meet with you and discuss your
needs, offer you options for continued services, and touch on goals that you may want to
achieve. She may also make recommendations and referrals to other professionals if needed.
What happens at the end of the first session? Another appointment will be scheduled if
you desire, or it is recommended by Dr. Martin. Sessions are typically scheduled once per
week at first, and can be scheduled twice per month until you have completed your goal.
Some people choose to set up regular monthly appointments so they can continue to maintain
their goals, or address additional concerns as they arise.
How does review of my counseling progress occur? A review will occur approximately at the eighth
(8th) session to determine the effectiveness of the counseling process. Dr. Martin will talk
with you about your progress, discuss any continued concerns, and help you decide your next
steps. If you request to continue the counseling process, another review will occur every two
(2) sessions to determine your progress. If it is determined that a referral would best benefit
you at that time, you will be given at least two other professionals names to contact. Different concerns will vary in the number of sessions to reach some goals. The average number is typically 8-10 sessions once per week, and then one time per month for one year or more as needed.
What types of techniques or tools are used in your counseling process? Counseling
will entail a solution focused process, utilizing such techniques as Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), Relaxation and Mindfulness
training, stress management techniques, and assessment of lifestyle management. Dr. Martin also includes educational materials and homework assignments in her counseling process. Dr. Martin uses techniques developed by Dr. Gottman in couples counseling sessions. She also works to increase skills for parents with adolescents, and she offers counseling for adults and adolescents with ADHD.
CONFIDENTIALITY AND CLIENT RIGHTS
How do you manage client confidentiality? You will be given a copy of all your client rights at your first appointment with Dr. Martin. She will carefully review these with you and answer any questions that you may have about your rights as a client.
How do you manage client information and the release of that information? At your
first appointment with Dr. Martin, your rights as a client will be thoroughly explained. This
includes your right to confidentiality and the right to control the process of releasing
information to others. Basically, no one has access to your counseling records without your
written consent. Dr. Martin will not acknowledge to anyone that you are seeking services
without your written consent.
What are the exceptions in regards to client confidentiality? Exceptions are if you
express desire to harm yourself or someone else, or if you indicate there is current abuse of a
child or adult living in your home. An additional exception occurs if insurance is used for
payment of services. Most insurance companies require you to sign a waiver stating that the
insurance company can have access to your medical records, which includes mental health
records.
What insurances do you accept? Dr. Martin accepts the following insurances:
- Premera Blue Cross
- Regence BlueCross/BlueShield (covers most other BlueCross insurances, call to verify)
- AETNA
- LifeWise of OR and WA
Before you come to your first appointment: Call your company to check on your benefits coverages and authorization requirements. Also find out if you have a deductible to meet and what your co-pay or co-insurance amount is.
My insurance will reimburse me for a portion of my sessions, even if a provider is
not on their list. Can you help me with that? Dr. Martin is more than happy to provide
you with an invoice stating that you have paid for services. You may submit this to your
insurance company for reimbursement.
LINKS THAT YOU MAY FIND USEFUL
“Helping you live a quality life with confidence”.
(360) 772-2464