FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

If suicidal thoughts are present, call 911 immediately or have someone take you to the nearest emergency room if you are worried about yourself or a loved one taking their own life.

If you are currently experiencing a severe mental illness, we recommend you seek outpatient services at a local program.

 

  • The office is solely online. We provide mental health services to ONLY Massachusetts and Texas residents.

    The office is open:

    Monday - 10AM – 6PM

    Tuesday - 10AM – 6PM

    Wednesday - 10AM – 6PM

    Thursday - 10AM – 6PM

  • We work with Black Christian Professionals and Entrepreneurs age 21 and older residing in Massachusetts or Texas who are dealing with depression or high stress. You must physically be in Massachusetts or Texas during the delivery of services.

    We also offer Life Coaching services to individuals that are in need of the support of a coach.

  • All sessions are provided via teletherapy. Teletherapy is effective and it works the same way as traditional therapy. We use a secure HIPAA-compliant video counseling platform to complete initial documents and conduct counseling. The teletherapy platform only requires you to have a cell phone, tablet, or computer with a camera and high-speed internet. We are permitted by the state board of Massachusetts and Texas to provide therapy to you, if you are a current resident of Massachusetts or Texas.

  • Therapy is a very vulnerable process and requires that you feel comfortable with your therapist and our 30-minute consultation helps you get started. The quickest way to get started is to book a 30-minute consultation.

    This consultation is designed to get a better sense of what you want and need in therapy, to assess how we can help, and to answer any questions you might have about getting started. Together, we will decide how to move forward, if we are a good fit for you, scheduling an initial session, or referring you out to local therapists.

    If you are a black Christian professional or entrepreneur considering counseling for Depression or Stress Management and live in Massachusetts or Texas, we can help. Please schedule a consultation today to discuss how counseling services can help you move forward.

  • Offering - a 80-minute individual counseling session at a rate of $245.

    Offering - a 60-minute individual counseling session at a rate of $205.

    Your health is an investment. You are the only person who can determine how important that investment is to you.

  • We do not take health insurance. We can provide you with a receipt (superbill) upon request for you to submit to your health insurance for Out of Network reimbursement. The amount you will be reimbursed will depend on your health insurance policy.

    We encourage you to contact your health insurance to find out exactly what they are willing to cover. If you do call your insurance to discuss coverage, be prepared to ask the following questions: 

    Do I have mental health or behavioral health out-of-network benefits for outpatient settings?

    What is my deductible? Has it been met?

    How many mental health sessions does my plan cover annually?

    Do you cover telehealth or have any stipulations on it?

    How do I obtain reimbursement for an out-of-network mental health provider?

    What will the coverage amount be per session?

    Please Note: Comfort Counseling Center cannot guarantee that your plan will cover sessions.

    Investing in your mental health is one of the most important things you will ever do for yourself!

  • We have reached the limit on our sliding scale caseload. We are not offering sliding scale availability at this time.

    If you want to pursue this option, we recommend checking out The Loveland Foundation, Black Girls Smile, Open Path, or visiting your local community health center.

  • Yes, your privacy is of the utmost importance to us, and we ensure the confidentiality of all communications with you, both in-person (virtually) and electronically. Your information will not be disclosed to anyone unless we have your written permission. The instances in which we are required by law to disclose your information without your written permission are:

    -In case of suspected child abuse or dependent adult/elder abuse

    -If you threaten to cause imminent harm to yourself and are not cooperating with efforts to ensure your safety.

    -If you threaten serious harm to another person

    -If I am ordered by a court judge with a signed subpoena

    **If these situations present themselves, we will inform you of any steps taken.

  • The initial session allows you and your therapist to begin establishing a therapeutic relationship, as your therapist gets a sense of your present concerns and relevant history for the both of you to tailor your treatment goals together.

    Research shows that people progress better when seen weekly. The therapeutic relationship is a core element of your progress, and it is important for you and your therapist to meet weekly. Therefore, we prefer meeting weekly. The number of sessions you will need varies tremendously depending on what you would like to work through, this will be discussed during your first session and throughout treatment.

    If progress is made, then you and your therapist can discuss changes to a bi-weekly schedule. A biweekly schedule is appropriate for maintenance. We do not start treatment with biweekly or monthly meetings because symptoms are most acute and needs are greatest in the beginning. If meeting weekly is a challenge for you due to challenges with scheduling or finances, we are happy to provide referrals for other therapists.

    Sessions are usually scheduled as standing appointments, which means that you and your therapist will generally commit to meet on the scheduled appointment.

  • Yes. Homework is an important part of making progress in-between sessions. We will be using a HIPAA-compliant platform for all homework. It is safe and secure. It allows you and I to track your progress and it creates a space for accountability.

  • Mental health therapists cannot see anyone they personally know in treatment because our personal relationship will cause us to have bias in the therapeutic relationship. We also cannot engage in a dual relationship in which we have more than one type of relationship with you and can compromise the therapeutic relationship. However, if you contact us, we can offer referrals to trusted colleagues who can support you through your life journey.

  • Mental health therapists do not prescribe medication. Referrals to a psychiatrist can be provided should you be interested.

  • Comfort Counseling Center is not part of a particular denomination, nor affiliated with any denomination. Our staff have a personal Christian faith. Our staff attends various churches and we see ourselves as adjuncts to many churches, schools and organizations in the communities we serve. In fact, it is this faith that has moved them to seek to counsel and help those who are in emotional and psychological pain.

    We do not evangelize or preach at you. We are highly professional and our role is to support and care for you, as we hold space for your mental health, emotional health and spiritual health. We use biblical tools and evidence-based tools that fit your lifestyle and help you develop new perspectives on how to cope with challenges. Our staff work with many Christians and our understanding of the Christian faith allows us to work effectively with them.

  • Please call to cancel or reschedule an appointment. You have 24/7 access to your online portal where you can cancel and reschedule an appointment. Please provide 48 hours’ notice for all cancellations and rescheduling. Cancellations made before this window are rescheduled the same week, pending availability, free of charge.

    If you cancel or reschedule an appointment with less than 48 hours’ notice, or fail to show, you will be charged the full fee of your session.