Therapy

According to the American Counseling Association, “Counselors work with clients on strategies to overcome obstacles and personal challenges that they are facing.” Therapy is the right form of counseling when those obstacles and personal challenges are patterns of distressing thoughts, painful or distressing emotions, or disruptive behaviors.

Meeting the Criteria for a Diagnosis

Part of the therapy process is to provide an initial intake assessment to determine if a person has a diagnosable psychological disorder such as depression or anxiety. If you or your child are experiencing significant disruption in your ability to have an enjoyable and meaningful life because of difficult thoughts or emotions (internal behavior) or ways of reacting (external behavior), you will probably meet criteria and probably can benefit from therapy.

It is important to understand that therapy requires a diagnosis, which means the obstacles and challenges have to meet certain criteria. If they do not, it is inappropriate to diagnose, create a treatment plan, and provide therapy. However, when therapy is not the answer, there are other forms of counseling that can be appropriate and helpful. These forms can provide support, guidance, and encouragement. MESA Counseling incorporates skills and approaches from Professional Coaching into counseling that is not therapy.

Only Therapy is Covered by Insurance

Therapy is the only form of counseling that is covered by insurance. This means that you cannot file for insurance reimbursement without a diagnosis and a treatment plan. If you or your child do not meet the criteria for a diagnosable psychological disorder, like depression or anxiety, a counselor is ethically obligated not to diagnose you or file insurance for services provided.

Consider Carefully Before Filing for Insurance Benefits

While it makes sense to want to use health insurance benefits of counseling, this can only be done if the counseling is clinical, or therapy. It is also worth considering whether you want to file insurance, even if you or your child meet diagnostic criteria for therapy. A diagnosis becomes a long-term record. When you use one to file for insurance benefits, it becomes a permanent part of your health care record.

Of course, if you need to use insurance to be able to afford therapy, do so. And if you or your child is on medication for the diagnosed condition, that is already in the health care record, so it probably will not make a difference to use insurance benefits for therapy.

Counseling That Is Not Therapy Can Be Very Valuable

Non-clinical counseling can be very valuable to you, your child, or your family in many ways. These could include supporting you through a difficult life transition; helping you learn skills and develop healthy approaches to relationships; or guiding you as you explore options and make meaningful, well-considered decisions at significant life milestones.

Helping You Decide

If it is not clear from the beginning whether the obstacles and challenges require therapy, MESA Counseling offers two options. One is a brief 15-minute consultation with the counselor, which can be by phone, to get clear about the nature and intensity of the struggle. The other, if an answer cannot be derived in a brief consultation, is a clinical consultation at the office that incorporates the questions of a clinical intake interview. At the end of the hour, the counselor will either determine that a diagnosis and therapeutic treatment plan are appropriate or recommend some other form of service.