Frequently Asked Questions
How may I contact Meier Clinics®?
To find out more about our services, you may call us or Email us. If you e-mail, please include the name of the state in which you reside in the subject heading so your message can be forwarded to the appropriate Intake Center. Please note that we are unable to offer assessments or counseling advice via e-mail. You may call our National Toll Free number 1-888-7CLINIC (1-888-725-4642) to receive a brief telephone assessment in additional to finding out more about the services available.
Why choose Meier Clinics®?
What makes Meier Clinics stand out from other mental health providers? Our staff and counselors share a non-denominational Christian perspective on health care. We integrate biblically-based, Christian beliefs with psychological principles to treat the whole person—emotional, physical, and spiritual. Our total commitment to Christian counseling as well as sound clinical training distinguishes our approach.
Are all of your therapists Christian?
All clinical staff are provided our Statement of Faith when completing an application to be employed at Meier Clinics and must sign that they will uphold all statements as they work with clients and represent Meier Clinics. We also speak with prospective counselors during the interview process about their faith and how they incorporate it in their counseling session. We do everything possible to assure that the counseling staff we hire share a common belief in the tenants of Christianity and that this is incorporated in their interactions with our clients. (On rare occasions, we hire Independent Contractors to help in a limited capacity. Although they may not identify themselves as Christian, they are aware that this is an important part of the care we provide and do agree to uphold this component of the treatment.)
Do I have to be a Christian if I want to see someone at Meier Clinics®?
No. Our services are available to everyone regardless of their religious belief or unbelief. We do not shove our beliefs down our clients' throats nor actively try to convert anyone to Christianity. We, naturally, incorporate spiritual components into therapy as we feel that healing is not complete unless we address the entire person - emotionally, physically, and spiritually. If a client is ever uneasy with any spiritual aspect of their care, they just need to let their counselor know.
How do I know if you have a counselor that can help me?
Counselors' profiles are made available on the Counselor page of this web site. This page will help you become a bit more familiar with the staff available at each clinic location including some of the issues they work with, where they received their formal education and additional training, some specialty areas of interest, their approach to counseling, and other information that may be of interest. Remember, these are brief biographies only. You may also call 1-888-7-CLINIC to speak with an assessment counselor who will be able to assist you in finding a counselor that is appropriate for your particular counseling needs.
Can I choose who I want to see?
We have no problem with you requesting a particular counselor. If our staff feels that the person you are requesting is not the best choice for you or if the counselor is not appropriate to help you for any reason, we will suggest another counselor. Our goal is to match each client with the counselor we feel can best serve their needs. Many factors play into that decision such as the counseling issues being addressed, schedule availability, insurance requirements, and personality, just to name a few considerations. We have a very high success rate at making positive matches by considering many variables. We never match someone just because a counselor wants more clients or is the next one on a rotation list to get a new client as some organizations do. We believe in personalize matches just as we do in personalized counseling care.
How long do I have to wait to see someone?
In most instances, you will be able to see a counselor within a few days to a few weeks. This varies greatly from one location to another. When you call us at 1-888-725-4642, our staff will talk to you briefly about your situation so they can determine who would be best suited to help you. At that point, they can let you know when the next available appointment.
What kind of treatment options do you offer?
Meier Clinics has treatment options available to meet the needs and severity of the individual, couple, or family through Outpatient, Intensive Outpatient, and Day Treatment programs. Treatment is specialized to meet specific needs once an initial assessment is completed. Some programs may include special tracks such as addictive behaviors and sexual health. Some facilities also offer special services such as psychological testing, play therapy for young children, EMDR, and biofeedback. Call 1-888-7 CLINIC (1-888-725-4642) to be connected to the nearest Meier Clinics to find out more about the treatment options available.
How much does your counseling cost?
Costs are determined by the level of care (Outpatient, Day Treatment, etc.) being provided, by the educational level of the professional (master's degree, intern, psychologist, psychiatrist, etc.) rendering the services, and the type of services (one-on-one counseling, group, psychological testing, etc.) being rendered. Our prices also vary according to location to keep them within regional standards. Some of our clinics participate with major insurance plans and also offer services on a sliding scale according to financial need in accordance with federal poverty guidelines. We always let you know before an appointment is made what your financial obligation will be so you are able to plan accordingly and seek financial assistance if needed. We have had many clients who have family members, friends, churches, or employers who have helped with their expenses because they knew that they would get the highest quality of care at Meier Clinics.
Will insurance cover my visits?
Many of our clients do have insurance policies that cover their visits. However, benefits vary greatly so we always suggest that you check your benefits booklet, call your insurance carrier, or talk to your employer. Mental health benefits are not always as clear cut as major medical benefits. Your mental health benefits may be administered by a different plan than your major medical policy, or your mental health benefits may not cover all diagnoses, levels of care, or all levels of professionals. Some of our clinics have managed care contracts with a variety of insurance plans. At these clinics, our staff will assist you in acquiring benefit information. Please be aware that these are quotes only and not a guarantee of payment. We will ask that you pay your deductible and/or co-payment at the time of service and we will file your claim. However, managed care clients are responsible for any charges not covered by their policy in the event payment is denied. If you are seen at a clinic that does not have managed care contracts or if we do not have a managed care contract with your particular insurance company, it is your responsibility to get benefit quotes. You will need to pay for your visit in full at the time of service. We will provide you with a receipt at the time of your visit so you can seek reimbursement directly from your insurance carrier.
What do I do if I have no insurance and can't afford the counseling fee?
If you have no insurance coverage for mental health, you may check with the person scheduling your appointment to see if you might qualify for a reduced fee. We will ask you for a financial statement along with proof of income so we can determine what level of discount, if any, you qualify for. Please note that not all counselors at all clinics offer a reduced fee. We encourage clients to be as self-resourceful as possible in being responsible for paying for their services. Consider asking for help from family, friends, your home church, or a charitable organization. Can you cut out some "extras" from your budget during the duration of your care? Ultimately, you have to decide what is a priority to you - getting counseling or eating lunch out every day, keeping a premium TV package, season tickets to a sporting event, etc. The investment you make in your mental health today is going to bring benefits for years to come. It is longer lasting and more life-changing than having the latest model car, seeing that Broadway play, or wearing this season's fashions.
How long will I need to be in counseling?
There is no cut and dry answer to this question. It depends on many personal factors. The most important factors being the issue you are dealing with, how motivated you are, and how compliant you are with the treatment plan. As you move along in your counseling treatment, your counselor may be able to give you an idea of the anticipated duration of your treatment, but there are no guarantees. We will not speed up your care to please you just as we won't prolong your care to keep you as a client. Many clients start with weekly counseling and then go to less frequent sessions as they begin to make progress. Once you and your counselor feel that you are near completion of your treatment, a discharge plan will be discussed to help you maintain your progress as you continue your road to healing.
How can I find out more about depression, ADHD, and other mental health issues?
There is a lot of information available about mental health issues on the internet, but be cautious that you are reading information from a reliable source. It is best to gather information from a professional source rather than reading personal pages as information on these pages can be very subjective and written by persons who do not have professional training or experience. Check out our Topics page for information on various mental health issues.
What if I have other questions than the ones answered above?
We would love the opportunity to talk to you in person so we can answer any questions you might have about the services at Meier Clinics. You can call us Monday through Friday toll-free at 888-7 CLINIC (888-725-4642). You can also e-mail us, but it may take us longer to respond and it may not be as satisfactory since we are not able to have a true dialog. Please note that we can not provide you with counseling advice over the phone or via e-mail, and we do not offer crisis intervention. We can answer questions about our services and help you decide if we have a level of care that is appropriate for your personal needs.
