We are always accepting new clients. Due to high demand, we often do have a waitlist for incoming clients. We work hard at keeping our waitlist moving and usually are able to get new clients connected with a counselor within 4-6 weeks from the initial contact.

To request services as a new client, please fill out the intake request form. Our team will respond to you within 2-3 business days to coordinate services. Prior to your first scheduled appointment, you will receive an email from our secure electronic records system with a link to review and complete all required intake forms. All subsequent appointments will be scheduled directly with your assigned provider either in person or through email/phone correspondence.

Confidentiality between a therapist and a client is a legal and ethical requirement of the profession. It is also essential to building trust and honesty in the therapeutic relationship as it allows the client to share personal concerns freely without fear that such information will be revealed to others. For this reason, the content of all counseling sessions will be considered confidential. Both in-person and telehealth sessions are conducted in an office with a closed door. Client records are stored in a secure electronic records system that is fully compliant with HIPAA regulations. By law, there are three issues that cannot be kept confidential due to safety concerns - cases of child abuse, cases of elder abuse, and cases of an imminent suicide risk or threats of harm to another person. These exceptions must be made in order to protect the safety of the client and others. Any other disclosure of personal information related to therapy (e.g. consultation with other medical providers) requires written authorization by the client.

The first session may vary based on each client's circumstances and each clinician's approach, but in general, it is usually a "get to know you" kind of session. There may also be an introduction to the therapeutic approach that the therapist utilizes, an explanation of practices and basic expectations, and space for you to ask your own questions about the process. The therapist will then review your primary concerns and goals for seeking counseling and will work to learn more about you and your background as it relates to those issues. There does not tend to be deeper therapeutic work happening in the first session as the therapist is simply trying to gather as much relevant information as possible and establish a strong therapeutic relationship from which the rest of the work ahead will be done.

Standard fees range from $130-180 per 50 min. session, depending on clinician credentials and experience and the type of service being provided. Rate will be determined during the initial intake process prior to the start of services. Payment is due after each session and is typically processed automatically through our secure billing and records system.

Harbor Christian Counseling recognizes that the cost of counseling services can be significant, and as such we make every effort to provide care that is efficient, accessible, and aligned with each client's specific needs. Additionally we are glad to provide a sliding scale for anyone that requires a reduced rate based on financial limitations. Details about the sliding fee scale will be provided upon request. New clients will have the opportunity to discuss all fees during the intake process prior to or during the initial appointment.

Harbor Christian Counseling does not accept insurance for payment of fees.  Some insurance plans may offer partial reimbursement for out-of-network counseling services provided by licensed clinicians.  All clients are encouraged to determine whether this is an option before initiating services. Upon request, Harbor Christian Counseling will provide additional documentation known as “superbills” which include specific information required by insurance to process a reimbursement claim. This is provided directly to the client who is then fully responsible for filing any claims with their insurance carrier.

Because counseling services are considered health-related expenses, many clients have been able to pay for counseling services utilizing Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flex Spending Account (FSA) funds offered by their employer. If your FSA or HSA functions as a credit/debit card, then it will likely work as a form of payment for services.

As part of the “No Surprises Act,” all clients have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining the expected cost of medical and mental health care services based on initial assessment. This estimate is based on anticipated frequency and duration of services according to relevant diagnosis and treatment indicators as well as the assigned fee per session based on the providers rates which is clearly specified for all clients during the intake process. If you wish to receive a “Good Faith Estimate,” please notify Harbor Christian Counseling staff during the intake process or prior to your first scheduled appointment. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

This depends on the practice and provider, but at HCC we do approach the work of therapy from a biblically informed, gospel driven, clinically skilled perspective. However, we make careful efforts to understand each client’s particular faith background and orientation (or lack thereof) and integrate faith into the therapeutic process in a way that fits with the client’s needs and preferences. We have found that integration is most meaningful when it connects to the client’s own way of expressing and experiencing faith in relation to the issues being addressed in therapy. In that sense, integration is not a method but rather a dynamic, interpersonal, and Spirit-led process. We also love working with clients who identify with other faiths, those who have no religious affiliation, and those who are in the faith deconstruction process, and believe this work has just as much depth and value.

There are a lot of variables that impact the length of time someone participates in counseling. Some of those variables include the nature of the presenting symptoms and concerns, the client’s need and goals, and the type of therapy being utilized. In general, a good rule of thumb is to expect to participate in a minimum of 10-12 sessions, with the possibility of adding more sessions depending on what you continue to discover and work through in therapy. Participating for at least 10-12 sessions provides the time needed to develop a therapeutic relationship, work on your goals and celebrate progress before wrapping up time together. It is also not uncommon for counseling to extend much further than this when the client needs the ongoing support and continues to find value in it.

Beyond the obvious differences in the physical location for in-person sessions vs. telehealth/remote sessions, there are some differences between the two formats. Some clients prefer in-person sessions because being at our offices in Boston allows them a more confidential space to meet, where they feel they can openly talk rather than being at home or work where others may hear. For some clients, in-person sessions also offer the opportunity to feel more connected to the therapist, being able to be in the same room and observing body cues and signals outside of what can be viewed on a screen. Still other clients find in-person sessions helpful to have space away from home to process the things they are going through, allowing home to remain a place of rest or comfort. On the flip side, some clients prefer telehealth/remote sessions as they may offer flexibility of scheduling for clients who are not local to our office or for those who may have physical limitations to meet in person. While these differences exist between the two formats of therapy it is important to note that the quality of care and therapy provided does not change.