Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you have attended therapy before or are a first-timer you may have questions about our services and Sage Counseling. We provide answers to the most commonly asked questions below.
What happens if I have an emergency?
Sage Counseling does not provide 24-hour crisis hotline services. Should you have a mental health or substance use-related emergency, please visit your nearest hospital emergency room or call 911.
Where is your office and when are you open?
Sage Counseling offices are conveniently located in Newtown Square at 3625 Chapel Road, Newtown Square, PA 19073 in a building at St. Alban’s Church. Specific directions appear under Contact. We have office hours in Newtown Square Monday through Saturday. Our hours span from early morning to late evening and times vary by therapist. Please note that we also offer telehealth services through videoconferencing as described below.
Do you provide therapy remotely via telehealth?
Yes! In-person therapy is the gold standard for treatment but we also provide client services remotely. We offer clients teletherapy using online video conferencing via a HIPAA-compliant web-based platform called Simple Practice. If you are interested in obtaining therapy using your home computer or mobile device, please discuss this option with your therapist.
When I contact you to book a session, how long will it take to hear back from you?
A Sage Counseling therapist will call or email you within 24 -48 hours. You may send a message to our company email address at info@sagecounselingpa.com or to your own therapist. Email is the quickest and most confidential way to reach us.
Can I just text you instead?
No. Texting directly from your phone or other device is not a confidential way to communicate with us. Again, please call or email your therapist if at all possible. If you become a client, we will provide you with a confidential way to text us through HIPAA-compliant Simple Practice.
What is therapy and how does it work?
Our brains are shaped by our past and current experiences and sometimes they get ‘stuck’ in ways that keep us from having the life and relationships that we want. Talking with a skilled and supportive therapist engages you and creates lasting changes to your brain in how you think, feel and act so you can develop healthier ways of living. Regardless of the type of therapy used in sessions, a collaborative relationship between you and your therapist is the most important factor in successful treatment. This means that the most effective aspect of therapy is a positive working relationship between you and your therapist.
How long will I be in therapy and how long will it be before I feel better?
How long you can expect to be in therapy depends on your history and current circumstance, your goals for therapy and other factors. We offer brief and long-term therapies. You and your therapist will discuss your progress often and mutually decide when treatment should end.
How long is each session and how frequently do I need to attend?
The initial assessment session for individuals is 60 minutes and the sessions that follow are 50 to 60 minutes long. The initial assessment session for couples and families is 90 minutes. Ideally, you should commit to attending weekly sessions for the first six weeks; attending therapy regularly and consistently is extremely important. After the first six weeks, we will talk with you about how treatment is going and mutually decide if you should continue to meet with the therapist assigned to you. You can choose to attend weekly sessions or less frequently. We believe that the frequency of sessions should be based first and foremost upon your particular needs.
What can I expect in the first session?
Prior to the initial session, we will send you forms to complete and send back to us via confidential email. If you prefer, we will ask you to arrive 15 minutes early to complete these forms. After the forms are completed, the therapist will meet with you or if you are attending as a couple or a family to discuss your background and reasons for wanting therapy. Before the end of the session, you and your therapist will talk about whether or not you would like to schedule another appointment.
How much do you charge for therapy?
Sage Counseling believes that high-quality therapy should be affordable and our rates are highly competitive with other practices in the Delaware Valley region. Session rates vary according to individual, couples or family therapy treatment. Your therapist will discuss rates with you in advance of your appointment. Hourly rates are typically higher for short-term, time-limited programs such as anger management, stress management, marijuana counseling, DUI education, or court-mandated programs.
What if I want therapy but still can’t afford it?
Sage Counseling participates in Open Path Psychotherapy Collective which is a network of therapists who agree to provide treatment for a limited number of individuals at a discounted rate. A one-time membership fee is required. For more information, please contact www.openpathcollective.org. Speak with us if you are interested in participating in Open Path at Sage Counseling to see if we are currently accepting new clients for this program.
What if I need to cancel a session?
Please call us 24-hours in advance if you need to cancel a session or you will be billed the full fee. We realize that life is unpredictable and last-minute problems can keep you from attending scheduled sessions. In such cases, please call 484-427-4673 or email your therapist as soon as possible and we will take your circumstances into consideration. In terms of inclement weather, your safety is important to us and we ask that you do not travel if you don’t feel safe. You will not be billed for canceling due to inclement weather, but please notify us by phone or email as soon as possible, preferably, 24-hours in advance. Please note that if you reschedule your appointment for the same week that we will waive the cancellation fee.
Do you accept health insurance?
No. We will provide an itemized invoice to submit to your insurance company for out-of-network services.
How can I make a payment?
We accept cash, check or credit card. Checks should be made out to Sage Counseling, LLC. Payment is due each session. There is a $35.00 charge for returned checks. We do not accept health insurance, but we can provide monthly statements that you can use to seek reimbursement from your insurance carrier.