Welcome to the Counseling Practice of Rev. Donald Coombs, CAGS!
I look forward to our first session together and would like to make it very beneficial for you. The following are some common questions and helpful answers.
How do I obtain counseling with Don?
Please call my office at your earliest convenience. The office phone line is 413-565-5121. Please leave your name and telephone number twice. I will return a phone call to you within 24 hours. If you do not hear from me within 24 hours, please call me again and leave your contact information.
When I return your phone call, I will say something to the effect of the following: "My name is Don, and I am returning your phone call. Is this a good time to talk." Since people call for many reasons, and your issues are private, please let me know if we need to speak again at a later time. During our initial phone conversation, I would like to speak with you for 10-15 minutes on the phone. We will review basically three questions:
What should I expect?
You have made a major decision to reach out for help, and I will do my best to honor your desire for assistance. Together, we will develop some strategies to cope and/or change the challenges in your life.
Do I wait for our session in the waiting area?
My office is located at 1200 Converse Street in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. It is in Suite L-2. I have a small waiting area with two chairs just outside the door. You are welcome to bring a friend or family member to the appointment, and have them wait for you. Following every session, I look in the waiting area for my next appointment. Therefore, you do not need to knock on my office door, but rather relax and enjoy a magazine in the waiting area.
What are the typical ages of persons served in counseling?
Depending upon the issues, I generally work with adolescents aged 15 and above, young adults and adults, including the elderly. I do expect a parent or guardian to either be in the session with the adolescent or remain in the waiting area.
How long is our first session?
Most sessions are scheduled for 45-50 minutes.
What will happen during our session?
I will greet you in the waiting room, invite you into the office, and offer you a drink of flavored teas, French vanilla coffee, or water. I will then review with you the business practices (e.g., policies, limits of confidentiality, HIPAA, etc.).
What should I bring to counseling sessions?
How are sessions paid for?
What are the costs of sessions not covered by insurance?
Do you provide child-care?
Unfortunately, no childcare is provided, and having minors wait unattended in the waiting area is not allowed. At your discretion, you may wish to have a child sit in during the session with you (e.g., infant, toddler, etc.).
I look forward to our first session together and would like to make it very beneficial for you. The following are some common questions and helpful answers.
How do I obtain counseling with Don?
Please call my office at your earliest convenience. The office phone line is 413-565-5121. Please leave your name and telephone number twice. I will return a phone call to you within 24 hours. If you do not hear from me within 24 hours, please call me again and leave your contact information.
When I return your phone call, I will say something to the effect of the following: "My name is Don, and I am returning your phone call. Is this a good time to talk." Since people call for many reasons, and your issues are private, please let me know if we need to speak again at a later time. During our initial phone conversation, I would like to speak with you for 10-15 minutes on the phone. We will review basically three questions:
- How may I be helpful to you?
- What days and hours are you available?
- What is your insurance information?
What should I expect?
You have made a major decision to reach out for help, and I will do my best to honor your desire for assistance. Together, we will develop some strategies to cope and/or change the challenges in your life.
Do I wait for our session in the waiting area?
My office is located at 1200 Converse Street in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. It is in Suite L-2. I have a small waiting area with two chairs just outside the door. You are welcome to bring a friend or family member to the appointment, and have them wait for you. Following every session, I look in the waiting area for my next appointment. Therefore, you do not need to knock on my office door, but rather relax and enjoy a magazine in the waiting area.
What are the typical ages of persons served in counseling?
Depending upon the issues, I generally work with adolescents aged 15 and above, young adults and adults, including the elderly. I do expect a parent or guardian to either be in the session with the adolescent or remain in the waiting area.
How long is our first session?
Most sessions are scheduled for 45-50 minutes.
What will happen during our session?
I will greet you in the waiting room, invite you into the office, and offer you a drink of flavored teas, French vanilla coffee, or water. I will then review with you the business practices (e.g., policies, limits of confidentiality, HIPAA, etc.).
What should I bring to counseling sessions?
- For all sessions, I recommend you bring a notebook for taking notes. I have a yellow note pad and a pen available for you to borrow if you forget a notebook.
- For the first session only, I recommend you bring a state approved ID and an insurance card if I am billing an insurance company. Please note, sliding scale is NOT available to persons using their insurance.
How are sessions paid for?
- I am able to accept your cash, check, and the following credit cards: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and VISA.
What are the costs of sessions not covered by insurance?
- Option 1 The Self-Pay Standard Rate: You may pay the "standard rate" of $150 for every 45-50 minutes of a counseling session. This fee applies if I am unable to bill your insurance company. The rate does not increase if it is for a family or individual session.
- Option 2 Billing Your Insurance Company: If possible, I will at your request bill your insurance company. However, you are personally responsible for your bill and any session's declined or fees not paid by your insurance company if and as allowed by law. If I am under a contract or agreement with your insurance company, your are responsible only for the costs they impose (e.g., co-insurance, copays, etc.) and the limits of the policy you have with them (e.g., deductible, etc.). CLICK HERE FOR LIST OF INSURANCES ACCEPTED
Do you provide child-care?
Unfortunately, no childcare is provided, and having minors wait unattended in the waiting area is not allowed. At your discretion, you may wish to have a child sit in during the session with you (e.g., infant, toddler, etc.).