Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a counselor and a therapist?

The term therapist is often used to refer to Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Social Workers and Psychologists who provide counseling. However, in the state of Georgia only those persons who have fulfilled the State’s requirements are able to call themselves Psychologists, Professional Counselors or Marriage and Family Therapists. At Tapestry, all of our therapists are licensed by the State or in the process of fulfilling the State’s requirements for licensure.

How do I know if I would benefit from counseling or therapy?

If you are struggling with emotional difficulties which you may not be able to resolve on your own, or if you are struggling with relational or family difficulties which seem to be headed in a negative direction.

Emotional difficulties Tapestry can help with:

• Overwhelming and prolonged sense of helplessness and sadness

• Problems that do not get better despite your efforts and help from family and friends

• Difficulty carrying out daily activities such as work and school, with an accompanying decline in performance

• Compulsive participation in harmful activities such as alcohol, drugs, pornography, masturbation, inappropriate sexual activity, excessive risk-taking, lack of self control in eating or spending, psychical or verbal aggression

Relational and family difficulties Tapestry can help with:

• Excessive criticism and contempt in disagreements and arguments

• Inability to resolve important disagreements in your marriage

• Escalation from small disagreements to explosive fights with your spouse

• Emotional distance and/or limited time with your spouse

• Infrequent sex with your spouse

• More conflict than collaboration with your child

• Inability to effectively discipline your child

• Dangerous or destructive behavior from your child at home or school

• Your child acts out at home or school in a destructive or dangerous manner

• Your child's academic, social, or personal behavior is consistently and markedly below their apparent potential

Tapestry can also help if you feel that you have plateaued in your emotional, spiritual, marital, or familial growth and need a "tune-up" or "jump start."

What questions should I ask when looking for a therapist?

Some questions include:

• Are you state-licensed as a Psychologist, Professional Counselor, or Marriage & Family Therapist?

• What type of education have you received and where did you receive it?

• How much experience have you had?

• Have you received special training for treating my area of concern?

• How much experience have you had in treating my area of concern?

• How do you integrate matters of faith and spirituality into your therapy?

How does counseling or therapy work?

Talk Therapy uses meaningful conversation in a safe context to facilitate learning and foster new, more helpful life patterns.

Counseling, or "Talk Therapy" could be thought of as simply having a meaningful or purposeful conversation. Although there are many theories as to why this has been demonstrated to be an effective way to facilitate change and resolve emotional and interpersonal difficulties, there are three goals of counseling that are especially key:

• Providing an emotionally safe and accepting context in which you can more honestly and openly reflect on yourself, your circumstances, and Truth

• Facilitating new understanding or insight into of your own mind and heart, your circumstances, and your relational patterns - with others and with God.

• Offering a purposeful relational experience in which new ways of thinking, feeling, and relating can be "tried on for size".

What is Christian counseling?

Christian counseling at Tapestry involves the integration of Biblical values, truths, and principles with the theory, research, and techniques offered by the field of psychology. We evaluate all psychological method in the light of scriptures. As a result, Christian counseling offers unique approach to solving life difficulties by which spiritual growth and resolution of the difficulties are pursued.

Are all of the therapists at Tapestry Christians?

Yes. All of our therapists and support staff acknowledge a personal faith in Jesus Christ

Do I have to be a Christian to seek therapy at Tapestry?

No. Our services are available to anyone, regardless of their religious beliefs or spiritual orientation. Tapestry therapists strive to respectfully meet people where they are in life and honor their beliefs while providing a quality professional service.

Are my conversations with a therapist confidential?

Yes, unless your therapist is obligated by law to disclose information for the protection of you or other persons.

Information shared in a professional counseling setting is considered privileged and confidential. Tapestry staff follow the strict ethics, rules, and laws of our professional governing bodies regarding confidentiality. We understand the sensitive nature of your situation and understand that sharing about your personal and family struggles is difficult; we desire for you to feel safe when sharing.

According to the rules and laws governing mental health professionals in Georgia, there are some instances in which your therapist may be obligated to disclose information you share in order to protect you or other persons. In such a situation, your therapist would be required to break confidence by filing a report or take protective actions should you disclose something to them that leads them to conclude that you are at imminent risk for harming yourself, another person, or if a child or elder has suffered physical or sexual abuse.

How many sessions will I need?

Research suggests that somewhere between 8 and 26 sessions offer the greatest benefit for individuals receiving therapy in general. However, because each situation is different, it is difficult to predict how many sessions may be needed to help you reach your goals.

How often will I meet with my therapist?

Weekly sessions are recommended in most cases.

How long will I have to wait to see a therapist for a first appointment?

Your appointment will typically be within two weeks of your initial call. However, a therapist's schedule may occasionally require a longer wait for an appointment.

Are any of the professionals at Tapestry able to prescribe medications?

No. Medications can only be prescribed by an MD and Tapestry does not currently have a psychiatrist on staff. However, your therapist can refer you to a psychiatrist who may help you.

How do I refer someone to Tapestry?

Simply tell them we're here to help, give them our phone number, or refer them to our website. If you are concerned about someone, please call 770 425-8275 and we will be happy to assist you.

No Surprises Act Information.

YOUR RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS AGAINST SURPRISE MEDICAL BILLS

When you get emergency care or get treated by an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, you are protected from surprise billing or balance billing.

What is “balance billing” (sometimes called “surprise billing”)?

When you see a doctor or other health care provider, you may owe certain out-of-pocket costs,     such as a copayment, coinsurance, and/or a deductible. You may have other costs or have to pay the entire bill if you see a provider or visit a health care facility that isn’t in your health plan’s network.

“Out-of-network” describes providers and facilities that haven’t signed a contract with your health plan. Out-of-network providers may be permitted to bill you for the difference between what your plan agreed to pay and the full amount charged for a service. This is called “balance billing.” This amount is likely more than in-network costs for the same service and might not count toward your annual out-of-pocket limit.

“Surprise billing” is an unexpected balance bill. This can happen when you can’t control who is involved in your care - like when you have an emergency or when you schedule a visit at an in-network facility but are unexpectedly treated by an out-of-network provider.

You are protected from balance billing for: Emergency services

If you have an emergency medical condition and get emergency services from an out-of-network provider or facility, the most the provider or facility may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount (such as copayments and coinsurance). You can’t be balance billed for these emergency services. This includes services you may get after you’re in stable  condition, unless you give written consent and give up your protections not to be balanced billed for these post-stabilization services.

Certain services at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center

When you get services from an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, certain providers there may be out-of-network. In these cases, the most those providers may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount. This applies to emergency medicine, anesthesia, pathology, radiology, laboratory, neonatology, assistant surgeon, hospitalist, or intensivist services. These providers can’t balance bill you and may not ask you to give up your protections  not to be balance billed.

If you get other services at these in-network facilities, out-of-network providers can’t balance  bill you unless you give written consent and give up your protections.

You’re never required to give up your protection from balance billing. You also aren’t required to get care out-of-network. You can choose a provider or facility in your plan’s network.

When balance billing isn’t allowed, you also have the following protections:

• You are only responsible for paying your share of the cost (like the copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles that you would pay if the provider or facility was in-network). Your health plan will pay out-of-network providers and facilities directly.

• Your health plan generally must:

• Cover emergency services without requiring you to get approval for services in advance (prior authorization).

• Cover emergency services by out-of-network providers.

• Base what you owe the provider or facility (cost-sharing) on what it would pay an in-network provider or facility and show that amount in your explanation of benefits.

• Count any amount you pay for emergency services or out-of-network services toward your deductible and out-of-pocket limit.

If you believe you’ve been wrongly billed, you may contact the Secretary of State’s office at (404) 656-2881

Visit https://www.cms.gov/files/document/model-disclosure-notice-patient-protections-against-surprise-billing-providers-facilities-health.pdf for more information about your rights under Federal law.