Irene Lagan Chambers is a licensed professional counselor associate and appreciates the opportunity to be of assistance to you. Psychotherapy, like Coaching, is a collaborative endeavor that requires the active involvement of both the client and counselor. Psychotherapy focuses on the client’s potential for personal growth and development, problem solving and decision making. It uses a variety of techniques tailored to each individual client’s needs. Treatment plans and decisions are discussed, and often include “homework” to maximize the outcome for each client. At times, psychotherapy can be challenging as clients learn to replace old, limiting beliefs with more adaptive beliefs. 

Core Counseling’s services include:

Individual, couples and family therapy
EMDR
DBT
Assessment
Coaching

Client agrees to communicate openly and honestly.

Client understands that personal learning and growth require a commitment to change.

Client agrees to take agreed upon action steps.

Client understands that there is no promises can be made with respect to the outcome or treatment.

Client understands that there may be times in the process that they may confront realizations that may be uncomfortable.

Client understands that they may stop treatment at any time, and that they are responsible only for the part of services received.

If at any time the client is dissatisfied with the counseling relationship, he or she is encouraged to discuss their views, reasons and plans with the counselor. If, after regular progress reviews, the client is not progressing, the counselor has an ethical responsibility to suggest that the client see another professional.

If the client is a minor, the guardian understands that while they have the right to general information on issues and progress, some information shared in the professional relationship will be held in confidence by the counselor and the minor child.

Client understands that Core Counseling is not an emergency service provider, and that in the event of a serious emergency, he or she must contact 911 or go to an emergency department. 

Appointments are scheduled by calling during normal business hours, Mon-Friday 9-6 pm. If the therapist doesn’t answer, please leave a voice message. Messages will be returned within 24 hours during the work week, but may take longer on weekends.

Core Counseling strives to respond to after hour messages in a timely fashion. However, our counselor cannot guarantee a response within 24 hours on weekends or holidays.

Our counselor typically returns routine/non-urgent phone calls within 24 hours. Core Counseling’s policy is to provide quality client care through scheduled office visits. Unscheduled calls in excess of fifteen minutes will be charged a rate consistent with office time.

Telehealth appointments can be discussed at the initial evaluation to assess appropriateness for the client. They are scheduled as a regular appointment and are charged accordingly.

Initial intake session 60 min. $175
Therapy Sessions (Individual, Couples, Family) 60 min. $150

We accept credit cards, cash, or check.

Payment is due at time of service by cash, check or credit card. Any returned checks are subject to a $30 service fee. Any returned checks must be resolved before future appointments can be arranged.

Core Counseling will provide you with a super bill invoice which includes a national provider number and appropriate codes for you to file for reimbursement from your insurance company.

Our counselor makes appointments a priority, and she asks clients to do the same. If you are unable to keep your appointment, we ask for a 24-hour cancellation notice. Clients will be billed for any session that is cancelled with less than 24 hours notice. If you give less than 24 hours’ notice, you will be charged the regular session rate, unless I am able to fill your time. As a courtesy to clients, we try to provide appointment reminders by text when possible. However, we are not able to guarantee this service. Clients are responsible for recording and keeping scheduled appointments. 

Confidentiality for Therapy Services and Consent/ Authorization Agreement:

The confidentiality of our conversations, including your records, is legally protected by federal and state law, and by my profession’s ethical principles in all but a few rare circumstances. Listed below are two exceptions to confidentiality and for a full disclosure of exceptions refer to https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c075.php Section 40-75-190. Also, professional ethics prohibits counselors from entering into a sexual relationship with a client. 

Confidentiality Exceptions: 1. Counselors are mandated reporters for suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a child or vulnerable adult. 2. Counselors have a duty to warn if there is clear and immediate danger to another person or if you are a threat to yourself. This includes persons with HIV/Aids are required by SC law to share their status before intimate sexual contact or sharing needles.