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How to get started

Safety first

Keep in mind that I may not get back to you for several days, and I may not have room in the schedule to start seeing you right away. If you are experiencing a crisis, understand that suicide is often a risk and access to lethal means can lead to what is often an immediately regretted suicide attempt. Call 988 to talk to someone and call 911 for emergencies. Reach out to friends and family for support and let them know how you are struggling.

Read over the paperwork

You'll need to either fill it out beforehand or at the first session. At this time, it has to be printed and filled out by hand. Here is a link to the paperwork. Feel free to ask questions if you have any. It is important that you read and understand the information in it by the end of the first session.

Determine your rate on the sliding scale

The full rate is $85 per 50-minute session, but I do offer a sliding scale. So, if you make 65k/year or less as a household of one, then you qualify for the reduced rate of $65/session. Add 10k/year per extra household member (e.g. a household of 2 can make 75k/year or less to qualify for $65/session; household of 3 can make 85k/year). If you have a unique situation where you don't qualify for the sliding scale but can't afford the full rate, please explain and ask me what I can do. There are often intern therapists at Counseling Solutions of the Ozarks that can go down to $20-$40 per session and Center City Counseling Clinic may be even less of a cost, so consider reaching out to them if the cost is an issue.

Message me

Email me at me@icthecounselor.com or text or call at 417-501-4499. All you have to say is that you are interested in therapy, and then I'll let you know if there are any openings (but you are welcome to include an introduction about yourself, ask questions, and let me know what times you are available). It may take a few days, but I try to get back with everyone, even if I don't have an opening. I will try to update the website with a banner indicating that there are no current openings, when that is the case, and I could offer you a spot on the waiting list, if you wish.

The First Session

Paperwork and payment

At the session, I'll have you fill out the paperwork (or you can bring a copy with you, ready to go), and I'll explain it and answer any questions you may have. You can find the paperwork here. I'll also get a form of payment on file for you and take your payment for the first session. Cash, check, credit, debit, Cash App, and Apple Pay are accepted. At this time, I don't accept any insurance, but am in the process of being able to accept BCBS, Aetna, and Cigna.

Dealing with anxiety about meeting

The first session can be intimidating, so you can always let me know if you'd like me to help make it more comfortable. For example, if it's alright with you, I could lead the discussion more by asking you questions and doing more of the talking, or we could agree to not go too deep into things that hurt too much or feel too personal to share: it'll get easier after the first session and we can always get to those things later.

Trying it out and deciding what's next

In that first session you'll get a chance to ask questions and see how I think and what I am like. You will have time to get some things off your chest and try out therapy with me. We'll have a chance to make sense of what your goals are and possibly make some insights. If we both feel good about continuing together, we can schedule future sessions; if not, I may be able to help you find another therapist that could help you, if you wish. If you want to take a day to think on it, or you schedule with me but change your mind as you sit with the decision, then just let me know. There is no pressure and I want you to trust your gut.

What happens after that?

It is on your terms. I will be transparent about how long I might anticipate you needing therapy for the given issues, but you are welcome to cancel anytime (giving 24 hours notice to avoid a cancellation fee). I'm open to scheduling weekly, biweekly, or monthly sessions, depending on your needs, availability, and finances, and I'm open to virtual as well as in-person sessions.

Isaac Crawford, MS, LPC

1630 S Enterprise

Springfield, MO 65804

(417) 501-4499

me@icthecounselor.com

Missouri License #2020043286

Professional ethics information: https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/ethics

Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors: https://pr.mo.gov/counselors

Isaac Crawford, Licensed Professional Counselor