Ambrosian Associates - Psychotherapy

Who We Are & What Do We Do?

We are a Practice dedicated to the growth of the person through a Spiritual Journey to the center of self using the Mind, Body, and Soul ... The Psychological, Medical and Spiritual Disciplines... To direct individuals to their center. In life there are basically two choices we can make in response to pain and sorrow. We can choose to get bitter and blame others for our pain, loss, and suffering. Or we can choose to get Better and encounter ourselves in our own pain. It is only through insight, understanding, forgiveness and acceptance that we can learn to love ourselves and others and find the peace, love and joy we all desire. Our motto is taken from Saint Ambrose who said: "No one heals himself by wounding another"

Self Pay

Self-pay means confidential mental health counseling. You have a right to confidential mental health care. Self-pay will avoid your life's story from becoming common knowledge.

Why Pay for Your Psychotherapy Rather Than Use Your Insurance? Read the articles below for information.

You want privacy

Whenever insurance is used, some information (such as your diagnosis) is available to the insurance company and, at times, to employers. Managed care companies often ask for detailed personal information about clients in order to make payment decisions. This judgmental review can undermine the sense of privacy necessary for effective psychotherapy. When clients pay for psychotherapy out of pocket, there is no loss of privacy to managed care companies, insurance companies or employers.

You want to choose your own therapist

Many insurance companies limit the choice of therapists. Some of these 'preferred providers' offer good treatment, keep their clients' interests foremost and try to keep treatment brief without sacrificing quality. At times, however, the insurance company asks the preferred providers to divide their loyalty between the client and the insurance company. Many clients prefer to choose their psychotherapist personally and avoid seeing a therapist with a potential conflict of interest between the client and the insurance company. Other clients may want to work with a therapist who was highly recommended but may not be on the company or preferred provider list.

You want to choose the type and length of treatment

Managed care programs often limit the choice of therapy. While some interfere very little with the consumer's choice of type or duration of therapy, others make many of the critical treatment decisions - the length of treatment, the type of therapy, the use of medication, and referral to self-help groups instead of professional services. Some companies provide only ultra-brief therapy. Self-paying for therapy may be necessary in order to receive the type and length of treatment needed.

You don't want a managed care employee making judgments about you

When managed care is responsible for payment, they have the power to influence your treatment. A company employee evaluates your motivation, the severity of your problem, and your progress, and makes treatment recommendations. The therapist must take the company's recommendations into consideration or risk losing the contract to work with the company altogether. Many clients prefer paying for their own treatment to eliminate influence from an outsider.

You don't want to be labeled 'sick'

Whenever insurance is used for psychotherapy, the treatment must be 'medically necessary,' which means that your therapist must give you a psychiatric diagnosis. When you pay directly, you may seek consultation from a mental health professional for any reason you choose. People use therapy for personal growth, for help coping with stressful life situations, and for marriage and family difficulties, as well as for chronic and serious psychological problems.

Ambrosian Associates in Counseling

Individual, Family, Couples, & Adolescent Therapy