CONTACT
Stephan P. Michener, LCSW
(585)383-4478
(585)383-4478
What kinds of problems do you help people with?
I help people who are experiencing depression, anxiety, relationship and marital problems, family conflict, concerns around alcohol and drugs, and other kinds of life transitions. The people I see are generally doing fairly well but may have an area or two in their lives that they would like to improve.
What is the fee for a counseling session?
If you are eligible to use your insurance for counseling your copay is often determined by what your insurance card indicates as your "specialist" copay. Typically it is between 15 and 30 dollars though individual plans vary. There are also some plans which have a 50% copay which is slightly higher. Since all insurances differ you should check what coverage you have for counseling. For people who wish to self-pay my fee is $90 for a fifty minute counseling session.
Does insurance cover counseling?
In many cases insurance does cover some of the cost of counseling. However, some plans have a deductable that needs to be met before
I help people who are experiencing depression, anxiety, relationship and marital problems, family conflict, concerns around alcohol and drugs, and other kinds of life transitions. The people I see are generally doing fairly well but may have an area or two in their lives that they would like to improve.
What is the fee for a counseling session?
If you are eligible to use your insurance for counseling your copay is often determined by what your insurance card indicates as your "specialist" copay. Typically it is between 15 and 30 dollars though individual plans vary. There are also some plans which have a 50% copay which is slightly higher. Since all insurances differ you should check what coverage you have for counseling. For people who wish to self-pay my fee is $90 for a fifty minute counseling session.
Does insurance cover counseling?
In many cases insurance does cover some of the cost of counseling. However, some plans have a deductable that needs to be met before
insurance benefits can be used. If you want to use your insurance you should check what your insurance covers. Beginning in 2007 with the passage of Timothy's law, some insurance plans adopted your "specialist co-pay" as what you pay per session, with the insurance covering the rest.
Does insurance cover the costs of marriage counseling?
In order to use your insurance to cover the costs of marriage counseling there must be a legitimate diagnosable mental health condition for either you or your partner. While insurance plans will allow for a couple to participate in some counseling sessions, the counseling must address the individual's diagnosed condition. Due to these restrictions most of the couples who see me do not use their insurance benefits for marriage counseling. In these cases they elect to self pay.
What insurance do you accept?
I accept most major insurances available in the Rochester, NY area, including Aetna, Excellus, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Blue Choice and Blue Point, United Behavioral Health and United Health Care, Cigna, Ceridian, Preferred Care, Family Health Plus, Child Health Plus, and several EAP plans. There may also be other insurances which list me on their panels which I am not aware of.
What forms of payment do you accept?
I accept cash, checks, credit and debit cards. Payment is due at the time of the appointment.
How frequently do you see clients?
In the beginning I like to see clients on a weekly basis. This allows me to get to know you more quickly and for us to get working on your situation. Once we "get the ball rolling" we can go to a once every other week schedule. Please know that I am flexible and willing to accomadate your scheduling needs.
How many sessions do you see people for?
Each situation is different and it's hard to know exactly how many sessions someone will need. Many clients are able to see improvement in their situations after six to eight sessions, and then use additional sessions to reinforce the changes they've made. Frequently clients decide to continue in counseling working on other goals. As a rule of thumb I see most of my clients between 8 to 20 sessions. However, the number of sessions you use is up to you.
How do you work with people?
I think it's very important to know where you're going when you begin a journey. Therefore, I want to know what your goal is. I'm a fairly straight forward counselor who steers clear of psychobable. I work with clients to identify and change thinking patterns which may be getting in the way of their goals. Sometimes an awareness of family dynamics also helps clients to promote change. Finally, I like to keep the focus on potential solutions and not just problems.
What other names are there for your approach to counseling?
My counseling orientation is a blend of 1) cognitive behavioral, 2) marriage and family systems, and 3) solution focused therapies.
Do you have evening appointments?
I offer appointments Monday through Friday 9am until 7pm. Because evening appointments are in such high demand I do not generally offer those times to new clients. However, once I have seen a client for a couple of sessions I am then able to work them into my evening rotation.
What's a counseling session like?
If you've never talked to a counselor before you might be wondering what goes on in a therapy session. Well, it looks like people having a conversation, which is after all, what it is.
My goal is to help you gain insights and make changes that will help you to become more fulfilled and happier. I think this is best done in an atmosphere that is relaxed and comfortable. I encourage you to bring yourself something to drink, but please don't bring food. Food can be a distraction.
In the first session I want to get to know you. I'm not necessesarily wanting to know all the details of your childhood, though some significant events may be important. I like to understand where you are now and what you'd like to get out of counseling. Generally, in the first session I do a lot of listening and then I might ask some questions to make sure I'm understanding your situation.
Sometimes at the end of the first session, and definitely in later sessions I make comments, and may give you some "food for thought." I believe that any guidance a therapist offers is definitely up for discussion. Sometimes we therapists are hitting the nail on the head and sometimes we might be missing the mark. My hope is that my clients feel comfortable enough with me to let me know what they're thinking.
Does insurance cover the costs of marriage counseling?
In order to use your insurance to cover the costs of marriage counseling there must be a legitimate diagnosable mental health condition for either you or your partner. While insurance plans will allow for a couple to participate in some counseling sessions, the counseling must address the individual's diagnosed condition. Due to these restrictions most of the couples who see me do not use their insurance benefits for marriage counseling. In these cases they elect to self pay.
What insurance do you accept?
I accept most major insurances available in the Rochester, NY area, including Aetna, Excellus, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Blue Choice and Blue Point, United Behavioral Health and United Health Care, Cigna, Ceridian, Preferred Care, Family Health Plus, Child Health Plus, and several EAP plans. There may also be other insurances which list me on their panels which I am not aware of.
What forms of payment do you accept?
I accept cash, checks, credit and debit cards. Payment is due at the time of the appointment.
How frequently do you see clients?
In the beginning I like to see clients on a weekly basis. This allows me to get to know you more quickly and for us to get working on your situation. Once we "get the ball rolling" we can go to a once every other week schedule. Please know that I am flexible and willing to accomadate your scheduling needs.
How many sessions do you see people for?
Each situation is different and it's hard to know exactly how many sessions someone will need. Many clients are able to see improvement in their situations after six to eight sessions, and then use additional sessions to reinforce the changes they've made. Frequently clients decide to continue in counseling working on other goals. As a rule of thumb I see most of my clients between 8 to 20 sessions. However, the number of sessions you use is up to you.
How do you work with people?
I think it's very important to know where you're going when you begin a journey. Therefore, I want to know what your goal is. I'm a fairly straight forward counselor who steers clear of psychobable. I work with clients to identify and change thinking patterns which may be getting in the way of their goals. Sometimes an awareness of family dynamics also helps clients to promote change. Finally, I like to keep the focus on potential solutions and not just problems.
What other names are there for your approach to counseling?
My counseling orientation is a blend of 1) cognitive behavioral, 2) marriage and family systems, and 3) solution focused therapies.
Do you have evening appointments?
I offer appointments Monday through Friday 9am until 7pm. Because evening appointments are in such high demand I do not generally offer those times to new clients. However, once I have seen a client for a couple of sessions I am then able to work them into my evening rotation.
What's a counseling session like?
If you've never talked to a counselor before you might be wondering what goes on in a therapy session. Well, it looks like people having a conversation, which is after all, what it is.
My goal is to help you gain insights and make changes that will help you to become more fulfilled and happier. I think this is best done in an atmosphere that is relaxed and comfortable. I encourage you to bring yourself something to drink, but please don't bring food. Food can be a distraction.
In the first session I want to get to know you. I'm not necessesarily wanting to know all the details of your childhood, though some significant events may be important. I like to understand where you are now and what you'd like to get out of counseling. Generally, in the first session I do a lot of listening and then I might ask some questions to make sure I'm understanding your situation.
Sometimes at the end of the first session, and definitely in later sessions I make comments, and may give you some "food for thought." I believe that any guidance a therapist offers is definitely up for discussion. Sometimes we therapists are hitting the nail on the head and sometimes we might be missing the mark. My hope is that my clients feel comfortable enough with me to let me know what they're thinking.
© Stephan P. Michener, LCSW. Allrights reserved
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results" Albert Einstein