Frequently Asked Questions

According to the American Counseling Association, "Counseling is a collaborative effort between the counselor and client. Professional counselors help clients identify goals and potential solutions to problems which cause emotional turmoil; seek to improve communication and coping skills; strengthen self-esteem; and promote behavior change and optimal mental health." Licensed Professional Counselors provide services to aid in treating mental, behavioral, and emotional problems.

Counseling can be beneficial to anyone. Life is full of ups and downs. Sometimes the support of friends and family is not enough during stressful situations or life transitions. An unbiased professional is trained to provide you with the treatment services, validation, and encouragement you need.

You have the right to a safe and comfortable environment with a trained counselor who will provide you with unconditional positive regard, acceptance, and empathy. You have the right to confidentiality. While you should feel cared for by your counselor, your counselor should maintain the appropriate boundaries of a professional relationship. You should expect your counselor to explore your concerns, to create a treatment plan to reduce symptomology, and to provide therapeutic treatment modalities to benefit your therapeutic process.

Within the first few sessions, you should begin to make a connection with your counselor. Working with a counselor you trust and feel comfortable talking to is crucial to the therapeutic process. You should feel safe, accepted, and respected. Not all counselors are right for every person, so use your sessions to assess whether or not the counselor you chose feels like a good match.

The first session is typically spent gathering background information about you and the presenting issue(s), formulating your goal(s), and developing a treatment plan.

The first session is different for everyone. You can expect your counselor to review your intake paperwork and ask you to provide a general idea of what brings you to counseling. The first session is your chance to get to know your counselor and begin to explore your feelings about the counseling relationship and your goals for therapy. This is a chance for you to ask questions of your therapist and set goals for yourself. 

For children, an initial session called an assessment interview is completed with only parents.  Please do not bring your child client or any siblings to this appointment as our discussion may be focused on things that would be difficult for your child to hear.  A child's first session is typically a time to become familiar with the surrounding environment and materials in the room. 

Some individuals report feeling benefits after one session while others report feeling slightly worse or embarrassed. Neither is considered abnormal. Those who experience discomfort initially typically report feeling more comfortable with counseling after the second or third session. Ask your counselor should you have any questions about your unique experience

You may fill out the intake paperwork sent to you after you have made your first appointment, located in the client portal tab. If you are seeking services for a minor, you will need to bring a copy of any court paperwork pertaining to your child such as divorce decrees or custody documents that demonstrate the right to seek psychological services. Other helpful items include testing or evaluations done at other locations. 

Visiting a "doctor's office" can be a scary event for children. I do not consider this a doctor's office. Tell your children that they will be coming to play with toys. This will make them anticipate their visit rather than dread it.

Play therapy is a technique that is utilized to help children express themselves when it is difficult to verbally talk about their thoughts and feelings. The therapist is able to create a safe environment in which children can build on their skills and learn to cope with stress and find healthier solutions to their problems.

When your child comes to therapy for the first time, I will greet your child in the waiting area and invite them to come to the playroom to play. Some children will come willingly while others will hold back and refuse to leave their parent/guardian. My policy is not to traumatize children, but to make them feel comfortable. I will then invite the parent into the playroom with us for the first few minutes. When the child begins to relax and play with the toys, the parent can usually leave the playroom.

It is sometimes possible for clinicians to offer services at a lower cost depending upon a family's income. Please ask if you are interested in services but are unable to pay the current rates.

If you are unable to come to your session or evaluation and need to cancel, please let us know more than 24-hours in advance. If you do not attend the appointment without giving adequate notice, you will be charged the cost of the session or evaluation.

All requests for records must be submitted in writing to Kim Nemec and Abounding Hope, either in person or by mail. Records will only be released to other professionals or to the individual who consented to treatment unless directed by court order. 

Abounding Hope Counseling has a 24 hour cancellation / no show policy. In the event you cancel your appointment with less than 24 hours notice or fail to show for an appointment, you will be charged $50 for the first occurrence and in full for missed appointments after that. Missed or late cancel appointments have impact on three parties: the patient who did not attend, the counselor, and the patient who could have had the appointment. Please contact the office in the event of a serious emergency.