We understand that taking the step to reach out for help can sometimes feel scary, especially if you don’t understand the process or feel like you might have to share sensitive information. The Phoenix Center is a trauma-informed therapy clinic, and we value and prioritize transparency. Below is an overview of what to expect when reaching out to our center for an initial intake call to begin therapy.
Our Intake Coordinator is available to guide you through our intake process every step of the way. You will begin the intake process by completing a brief, 15-20 minute, intake call with our Intake Coordinator.
What can I expect during an information and intake call?
We start off each intake call by identifying ourselves and asking who we are speaking with. After introductions, we will ask what brought you to our center and ask about the type of therapy or services you are interested in.
After we establish the main reason for the call, we can provide you with some general information about our services and you can decide if you would like to proceed with completing a brief initial intake.
Our goal during the intake session will be to collect enough information to match you with a therapist that has experience related to your concerns and goals, while also being congruent with your preferences.
Initiating the Intake Process
- Using our online scheduling system: Request A Free 15 Minute Intake Call
- You can choose to do either a phone intake or a video/virtual intake.
- Calling or texting 484-440-9416
- Emailing us: [email protected]
What questions do you ask during the intake call?
Intake calls may differ slightly, depending on the nature of the call. Some of our most commonly asked questions include:
- Can you tell me a little bit about why you’d like to start therapy?
- Do you have any goals for therapy?
- Have you done therapy in the past, and has anything worked well for you?
- Do you have preferences for your ideal therapist, along with preferences for virtual or in-person sessions?
- What is your availability to attend sessions?
While it is helpful to understand the type of trauma you have experienced to find a therapist that fits well for you, you have full control over how much information you would like to share. Please share whatever you feel comfortable in sharing; we can still make a referral to a trauma therapist without sharing trauma details. This initial call is not a therapy session, but rather an opportunity to find the right therapist.
When do I find out about the cost?
All of our therapists’ fees are located at the bottom of their profile on our website. We can also provide this information to you during your intake call. We have various fees depending on licenses, experience, and level of education.
Do you take Insurance?
We do not currently accept insurance for any of our therapy offerings (individual or group), however, we can assist you by checking to see if you have out-of-network benefits on your insurance plan. Out-of-network benefits may provide partial or full reimbursement for therapy, depending on your benefits. Some plans do not offer out-of-network benefits. We do not communicate directly with your insurance provider or submit reimbursements on your behalf. We can provide clients with monthly Superbills, which is the documentation needed to submit for reimbursement. You can check your out of network benefits yourself by using our Mentaya Link.
Do I have a choice in which therapist I can see?
Absolutely! During our intake call, or sometimes shortly following the call, we will provide a therapist or two that we think matches with your preferences, experience, and availability. You can decline these suggestions and ask about other providers that fall outside of the matches we initially provide, however, some of these therapists may not have availability. We will work with you to find the right fit!
What happens after a therapist is selected?
Our Intake Coordinator will send your information to the selected therapist. The therapist will contact you, sometimes the same day, but usually within 72 business hours, to complete a brief consultation call to introduce themselves and schedule your first session. A first session is typically a longer, 90-minute history-taking session.
What if I need low-cost therapy?
Our low-cost trauma therapy offerings are provided by our graduate students who are placed with us temporarily. Our interns are often with us for 9 – 10 months and operate on a semester schedule. Our rate for therapy with our interns is $85/hour, about half the cost of our licensed/pre-licensed therapists. This rate allows us to maintain our low-cost therapy program and continue to bring on interns throughout the year.
We do offer sliding scale options if the $85 is a barrier to receiving care. We have three tiers of pricing and can do a quick financial screen during your intake call in order to provide you a reduced rate, if one is needed. In order to maintain the cost of the program, we have a limited number of our lower tiered slots, and at times, may have a waiting list for our lowest Tier. Our Tiers are broken into three categories and are based off the Green Bottle Initiative. We do not ask you to provide income or detailed financial information.
Do you have a waiting list?
At times, our client needs exceed our therapist availability. If you are placed on a waiting list, we will make every effort to assign a therapist based on the date of your intake. We try to maintain routine contact to keep you informed of your place on our waiting list. Our Intake Coordinator can also assist with referrals to outside practices or organizations, if you would like to explore options outside of our Center.
If at any point during our intake process you need time to consider options, or want additional information, we are happy to assist and invite you to follow up with us at any time. Please note that our therapist availability changes often.
If you are interested in becoming a client, you can initiate the intake process any of these three ways:
- Using our online scheduling system: Request A Free 15 Minute Intake Call
- You can choose to do either a phone intake or a video/virtual intake.
- Calling or texting 484-440-9416
- Emailing us: [email protected]
