What if I have never been to counseling before? What can I expect?

Welcome! First we want to applaud you on your choice to invest in yourself. The fact that you are scrolling our website says you are interested in improving your life or helping someone you love. Here’s a little about what to expect. First, you would reach out to our admin team at (509) 593-8122 or email them at assist@anchorpointcounseling.hush.com They will collect information from you, ask about your reason for seeking services, and will work to find a good fit for you with one of our skilled and compassionate clinicians. Unfortunately, our services are in high demand and there is sometimes a wait for being able to schedule your intake. We do keep a waitlist and you would be able to get an estimated wait time from our admin team. They also would be able to send you all of the intake paperwork, answer any questions you may have, and are available to support your transition into care.

At your first appointment your counselor will go over our company policies and procedures such as confidentiality, reporting laws, and scope of services. They will ask you many questions to get an understanding of your reason for seeking services and how they can help you identify and reach your goals. You will then work with your counselor on setting up how often you will meet.

What do people come to counseling for?

There are so many reasons people seek counseling. Some of the presenting issues we treat are:

• Depression

• Post-Partum Depression

• Anxiety

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

• Bipolar Disorder

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

• Schizophrenia and Psychosis

• Substance Related and Addiction

• Insomnia

• Behavioral Disturbance

• Adjustment Disorder

• Sexuality Challenges

• Eating Disorders

• Grief and Loss

• Coping with Life's Stressors

• Coping with Change

• Coping with Chronic Illness

• Stress Management

• Work and Career Issues

• Pre-marital Counseling

• Couples Counseling

• Grief and Loss

• Parenting Support

• Negotiating Life Changes

• Processing Family Trauma

• Conflict Resolution

• Improving Communication

• Building Inter-Familial Support and Cohesiveness

• Building Bonds and Attachments

• Increasing Awareness into Family Dynamics

• Pre and Post Adoption Support

What Services Does Anchor Point Offer?

1. Screening and Assessment

   Screening:

   • Description: Utilizes tools such as the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), and Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire – Revised (SBQ-R) to identify risk factors and early behaviors indicative of behavioral health disorders. Our agency maintains a full battery of screeners to assist our clinicians in differential diagnoses for our clients.

   • Implementation: During initial consultations and treatment reviews, our clinicians administer validated screening tools to evaluate the presence of symptomology in alignment with their current diagnoses. The structured screening process involves administering a series of clinically approved questionnaires designed to accurately gauge symptom severity and identify immediate risks. Results are promptly reviewed with the patient, ensuring comprehensive understanding and establishing the foundation for subsequent assessments and treatment planning. At every clinical appointment, suicidal ideation and risk factors are assessed.

   Assessment:

   • Description: Conducts structured clinical examinations to analyze patient bio-psycho-social information, leading to informed diagnoses and treatment plans.

   • Implementation: Our assessments encompass detailed clinical interviews and the application of standardized assessment tools. Clinicians gather extensive information regarding the patient’s psychological history, current symptoms, lifestyle, and social context. This holistic approach ensures a thorough understanding of the patient’s condition, allowing for precise diagnosis and the formulation of tailored treatment plans.

2. Treatment Plan

   • Description: Develops formal, written plans outlining patient symptoms, diagnoses, goals, and strategies for symptom reduction and behavioral health improvement. Plans include recommendations for additional care or treatments as needed.

   • Implementation: Post-assessment, our clinicians engage collaboratively with patients to develop individualized treatment plans. These plans delineate specific therapeutic goals, intervention strategies, and timelines for achieving symptom reduction and overall improvement in behavioral health. Recommendations for adjunctive treatments or specialist referrals are integrated as necessary. Regular reviews and updates to the treatment plan are conducted to reflect the patient’s progress and evolving needs.

3. Care Coordination

   • Description: Coordinates efforts among primary care doctors, specialists, social services, and community support services to ensure comprehensive patient care. Aims to keep patients healthy, happy, and independent.

   • Implementation: Our therapists, interns, and specially trained administrative assistants facilitate care coordination. This involves maintaining comprehensive lists of resources and actively liaising with multidisciplinary healthcare providers and community resources. We organize regular communication with these entities, share patient progress reports, and assist patients in navigating the healthcare system. This includes arranging appointments and securing necessary social services, ensuring integrated and holistic patient care.

Who will have access to my clinical records?

Your privacy is very important to us. Access to your clinical records is strictly limited to your treatment team at Anchor Point Counseling. This includes your counselor and any other mental health professionals involved in your care. We do offer care coordination to ensure you receive comprehensive and integrated services, which means that your information may be shared with other healthcare providers involved in your treatment, but only with your explicit consent.

What is a Release of Information (ROI)?

A Release of Information (ROI) is a document that you sign to give us permission to share your clinical information with specific individuals or organizations. This might include other healthcare providers, insurance companies, or family members. An ROI ensures that your information is shared responsibly and only with those you approve, safeguarding your privacy and confidentiality. You can specify what information is shared and with whom, and you can revoke this permission at any time.

Do you take insurance?

YES! Some of the insurances Anchor Point Counseling is currently contracted ​with are: 
​​
Medicare
Washington Medicaid
​MODA
Humana
Kaiser (PPO/HMO)
Regence
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Premera
LifeWise
First Choice Health
Community Heath Plan of Washington
Coordinated Care
Aetna
United Health Care
Optum
Providence Behavioral Health
Cigna
AmeriGroup
Reliance Behavioral Health
​Molina 

Please call our business office to verify your coverage for services. We do not guarantee insurance benefits or payments as verifications of benefits are completed as a courtesy to our patients. For more direct questions, contact your insurance provider directly.

How does billing and payment work?

Statements and invoices will be sent out bi-weekly. It is the client's responsibility to review their account statements and contact the billing office with any questions or discrepancies.

We accept private pay, offer a sliding scale payment plan based on household income, and provide pro bono services to make our services accessible and equitable. To apply for sliding scale or pro bono services, please inquire with our business office for application and availability when you connect for intake.

What if I don’t have insurance?

We understand that not everyone has adequate insurance coverage. To make our services accessible and equitable, we have instituted a sliding scale payment plan based on household income to help increase access to mental health services for those who choose not to use their insurance coverage or who choose to pay privately. Please inquire with our admin team when you connect for intake if this is a service you would like to access.