Frequently Asked Questions

What is a marriage and family therapist?

Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are relationship specialists who are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat persons experiencing relationship challenges. They work with children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly, either individually, as couples or families, or in groups, to help them achieve more adequate, satisfying, and productive marital, family or social adjustment. The practice of marriage and family counseling also includes premarital, child, divorce or separation counseling, substance abuse, and treatment for victims of abuse

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists have earned graduate degrees in behavioral science, have at least 3,000 hours of supervised experience, and have passed two comprehensive examinations before being licensed by the State of California.

A Registered Associate  has completed his or her graduate coursework and is in the process of completing supervised hours and passing two comprehensive examinations that are required before a therapist can become a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. A Registered Associate must be registered with the Board of Behavioral Science and work under the supervision of a licensed mental health therapist.

  • How can I tell if a therapist is a good match for me? At OTHC we provide a free 15-minute consultation for all new client to determine if we can meet your needs for services. We try to match clients with a clinician who is a good fit based on personality, your behavioral health challenge and our clinician’s clinical expertise.
  • Should I see a male or female therapist? Each of our clinicians enjoy and are experts at working with all genders. If you have a preference please let us know.
  • Do you see children under the age of 5? Yes, we do! Because our approach to working with children under the age of 5, is attachment based,  please be prepared to attend the session with your child. 

Therapy Vs. Wellness Coaching

Therapy, also called counseling or psychotherapy, can be either a short-term or long-term process or short term in which a client works with a healthcare professional to diagnose and resolve problematic beliefs, behaviors, relationship issues, feelings and sometimes physical responses. The idea behind therapy is to focus on past traumas and issues to change self-destructive habits, repair and improve relationships and work through painful feelings. In this sense, therapy focuses on the past and on introspection and analysis.

Wellness Coaching is self-regulated as opposed to government-regulated, the practice of coaching is broadly defined. For example, according to the ICF, coaching is the future-focused practice of partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. Professional coaching focuses on setting goals, creating outcomes, and managing personal change.2The IAC defines coaching as a transformative process for personal and professional awareness, discovery and growth.3 According to the IFC, a coach is responsible for discovering, clarifying, and aligning with what the client wants to achieve; encouraging client self-discovery; eliciting client-generated solutions and strategies; and holding the clients responsible and accountable for meeting goals and creating outcomes. For these reasons, coaching often relates to career development, achievement, and advancement.

How do I pay for therapy sessions & how much does it cost?

You will be required to provide a credit card that will be maintained in our Electronic Health Records System that will be charged the morning of each of your counseling sessions via the client portal. If you fail to cancel your session or late cancel with less than 24 hours notice, your credit card will be billed the full fee.
At the present time, Onxy Trauma Healing Center is only paneled with Kaiser Permante for services with Kelly Baker, LMFT, a referral is required and Anthem Blue Cross Medi-Cal.  Our Therapists are considered out-of-network providers for any other insurance plans. This means that while we do not accept or bill your insurance directly, upon request we will provide you with a superbill that can be provided to your insurance provider for possible reimbursement of our fees. I encourage you to verify your benefits with your insurance provider before beginning services if you plan to seek reimbursement.

We have found it helpful to also point out a couple of items related to insurance for therapy.
1. For insurance plans with a high deductible, therapy services may be able to be applied toward the deductible. In these instances, the superbill can be very helpful.

2. Using insurance does result in some of your confidential information being shared with your insurance provider. For instance, in order for most insurance companies to reimburse for therapy, they require a mental health diagnosis, which becomes a part of your medical record.

One benefit of not using insurance is that you have greater control of how your confidential mental health information is used. If you have additional questions about this topic, please contact us.
Sliding Fee Scale
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer a sliding fee scale at this time.
Counseling Fee
Payment is due at the beggining of each session. Regardless of insurance, you agree that you are responsible for payment of all fees for services rendered. Cash,Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover are acceptable methods of payment and we will provide a receipt for all fees paid. Private pay rates are as follows: $150 for individuals and $175 for couples & family counseling ($100-125.00 for MFT Registered Associates) for 53 minutes (75 minutes for couplse & family) intake sessions and follow up sessions. Group, coaching, workshop and retreat fees are based on the focus, package and duration of the group/service.

Cancellation Policy
What if I can’t make my session ? Your credit card will be charged $150/$175 for missed appointments or if you fail to cancel your appointment without given a 24 hour (business hours) notice. Please understand that we will not reimburse you for any portion of a missed appointment and you are responsible for the full fee. We understand that emergencies come up however, our therapists are paid even if you miss your appointment.

Do I need therapy?

Deciding to start counseling can be hard and we understand that. We offer a free 15 minute consulation, we will be happy to support you with making that decision.

    Is what we talk about in therapy confidential?

    Our clinicians use an electronic health records system that we input all your information to ensure that your personal information remains private and confidential. There are some exceptions to confidentiality. If your records are supeoned by a Judge for court proceedings, we will respond to the supeona howerver we will notify you before we do so. We will also do everything within our professional duty to ensure that only pertant information is released and only after we have verified the supeona meets legal mandates. As the clinicians at the OTHC  are mandated reporters the law requires clinicians to report information related to suspected child abuse, elder abuse, dependent adult abuse to the appropriate authorities.

    What is therapy?

    What is psychotherapy? Therapy, also called counseling or psychotherapy, can be either a short-term or long-term. During therapy you will partner with a mental health professional to talk about your specific behavioral health needs including problematic beliefs, behaviors, relationship issues, feelings and sometimes physical responses. The idea behind therapy is to focus on past traumas and issues to change self-destructive habits, repair and improve relationships and work through painful feelings. In this sense, therapy focuses on the past and on introspection and analysis.

     

    How long will it take? Unfortunately, I cannot predict how long it can take. Everyone’s circumstances are unique to them and the length of time therapy can take to accomplish your goals depends on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the reasons that are driving you to seek therapy in the first place. It is most common to schedule regular, weekly sessions and as you progress with your treatment plan your sessions may decrease in frequently.

      Hybrid Services, In Person & Teleheath Appointment

       

          • Can we do therapy via video? Yes! This is called telehealth. In the LMFT world, it is telephone and internet therapy. According to Business and Professions Code §2290.5, telemedicine is the practice of health care using “interactive” audio, video, or data communications. The term “interactive” means an audio, video, or data communication involving a real time (synchronous) or near real time (asynchronous) two-way transfer of medical information.For established clients and new clients in special circumstances can participate in telemedicine. We use Simple Practice platform for our telemedicine. Simple Practice is super easy to use and you can use it on your computer, laptop or cellphone. Simple Practice is HIPAA compliant and secure so client privacy is maintained. Please contact us if you to know more about teletherapy.
          • How often do we meet and how long does therapy take? You and your therapist will develop treatment goals, when and how often you will meet to work on your treatment goals. A standard treatment session is 53 minutes.

      How can I schedule an appointment & what is the physical address?

      You can send us a confidential email at Welcome@hanfordonyxcounseling.com,  our Administrative Assistant will contact you within 2 business day, you can call our office at (559) 772-4677 or you can schedule an appointment with one of our therapist through our confidential new client portal via our website located at www.hanfordonyxcounseling.com. We look forward to connecting with you!Onxy

      Trauma Healing Center’s located at 619 N. Irwin St in the downtown areas of  Hanford and  744 P Street in downtown Fresno.

       

        How will we measure success?

         You and your therapist will develop a goal driven treatment plan based on what you want to accomplish in counseling or coaching.