Frequently Asked Questions

General Counseling Questions

  • We provide counseling for individuals, couples, families, and children. Our services include play therapy, EMDR, trauma-informed care, adoption and kinship support, and a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches tailored to each client’s needs.

  • Counseling can support a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, grief, relationship issues, family conflict, behavioral concerns in children, life transitions, and emotional regulation. Our therapists help clients strengthen coping skills, improve communication, and build healthier patterns.

  • Counseling may be right for you if you’re experiencing emotional distress, struggling with relationships, noticing changes in mood or behavior, or simply want support in navigating life’s challenges. Many clients come to therapy seeking clarity, healing, or personal growth. A consultation with one of our counselors can help determine the best fit for your needs.

  • Yes, we offer flexible options to meet your preferences. Clients can choose in-person sessions, online telehealth sessions, or a hybrid schedule. Telehealth sessions are secure, confidential, and convenient for clients who prefer remote care.

Booking & Scheduling

  • You can schedule your first appointment by filling out our appointment request form on our website or contacting our administrative office. Go to www.distinctivecounseling.com/appointment-request to complete yours. Once the appointment request form is completed, our team will guide you through availability, required forms, and next steps, ensuring your first session is smooth and stress-free.

  • No referral is needed. Clients may self-refer at any time unless your insurance provider requires one. If you're unsure, please reach out to your insurance provider.

  • Appointment availability varies by counselor. Some counselors may have openings within the week, while others may book several weeks out. We recommend scheduling early to secure your preferred time.

  • We ask clients to notify us at least 24 hours in advance if they need to cancel or reschedule. This allows your counselor to offer the time to another client. Late cancellations or no-shows may result in a cancellation fee.

  • While we are not an emergency crisis center, some counselors may have limited same-day or next-day appointments available. These openings are not guaranteed, but clients are welcome to contact the office or their counselor directly to check availability.

Session Details

  • Your first session focuses on getting to know you and understanding your needs. Your counselor will review your intake forms, discuss your goals, gather background information, and answer any questions you may have. This helps establish a comfortable working relationship and sets the direction for future sessions.

    For child clients:
    The first session is typically a parent/guardian consultation. During this appointment, the counselor meets with the parent(s) or guardian(s) to gather developmental history, discuss concerns, review expectations for therapy, and outline how sessions with the child will work. This gives the therapist important background information and helps parents feel supported and involved from the beginning.

  • Most counseling sessions last 45–60 minutes, depending on your counselor and the type of service. Play therapy sessions also fall within this timeframe.

  • Frequency varies based on individual needs. Many clients start with weekly sessions to build therapeutic progress, while others attend biweekly or monthly depending on their goals. Your counselor will help determine the schedule that best supports you.

  • Yes. You are welcome to request a specific counselor based on specialty, availability, or personal comfort. If you’re unsure who might be the best match, our team can assist in recommending a counselor aligned with your needs.

  • Your comfort is important to us. If you ever feel your counselor may not be the best fit, you can discuss your concerns or request a transfer at any time. We’re happy to help connect you with another counselor who better aligns with your preferences and goals.

Pricing & Insurance

  • Session fees vary depending on the counselor, the type of service, and session length. Rates will be discussed with you prior to scheduling, and you can also contact our administrative office for specific pricing information.

  • Some of our counselors accept certain insurance plans or employee assistance programs (EAPs). Because each provider’s coverage may differ, we recommend contacting our office or your insurance carrier to verify benefits, deductibles, and copays.

    Insurances Accepted:

    • Medicare

    • Texas Medicaid

    • Driscoll

    • Superior

    • Blue Cross Blue Shield

    • United Healthcare

    • Optum

    • EAP Programs

    • Aetna

    • Cigna

  • A limited number of counselors may offer sliding-scale or reduced-fee session options based on availability. These slots are offered on a case-by-case basis. We do have master’s level counselors in training who have several openings for reduced-fee and free sessions. Please inquire with our administrative team if you are interested in discussing financial accommodations.

  • Payment for the intake appointment is due at the time of scheduling in order to secure your session.

    For all ongoing sessions, we do our best to process payments within 24 hours; however, please allow for additional time, as some charges may be processed at a later date. If you are using insurance, copays or coinsurance amounts will be collected once your claim has been processed or as soon as your counselor is able to bill the service.

    We accept major credit/debit cards, HSA/FSA cards, and other approved payment methods.

Specialized Services

  • Yes. We provide couples counseling and family counseling to support communication, strengthen relationships, and help families navigate challenges together. Our counselors use evidence-based approaches tailored to each family’s unique needs and dynamics.

  • Absolutely. We offer therapy for children, adolescents, and teens, using developmentally appropriate approaches such as play therapy, expressive therapies, and talk therapy.
    Please note: The first appointment for child and teen clients is typically a parent/guardian consultation so the counselor can gather background information, discuss concerns, and create an effective treatment plan.

  • We provide mental health assessments related to counseling and treatment planning, such as intake assessments and clinical evaluations.
    However, we do not offer diagnostic assessments or learning disability/psychoeducational testing (e.g., ADHD evaluations, autism evaluations, academic testing). If you need these services, we are happy to provide referrals to qualified providers or clinics that specialize in diagnostic or educational testing.

  • We offer group sessions and professional workshops throughout the year, based on client and community needs. Topic areas may include but not limited to EMDR, parenting, emotional wellness, coping skills, and play-based interventions. Availability varies, so please check our announcements or contact the office for upcoming groups and trainings.

  • Our brains have a natural way to recover from traumatic memories and events. This process involves communication between the amygdala (the alarm signal for stressful events), the hippocampus (which assists with learning, including memories about safety and danger), and the prefrontal cortex (which analyzes and controls behavior and emotion). While many times traumatic experiences can be managed and resolved spontaneously, they may not be processed without help. Stress responses are part of our natural fight, flight, or freeze instincts.

    When distress from a disturbing event remains, the upsetting images, thoughts, and emotions may create feelings of overwhelm, of being back in that moment, or of being “frozen in time.”

    EMDR therapy helps the brain process these memories, and allows normal healing to resume. 

    The experience is still remembered, but the fight, flight, or freeze response from the original event is resolved.”

  • EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue, or homework between sessions. EMDR, rather than focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, allows the brain to resume its natural healing process. EMDR therapy is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain. Part of the therapy includes alternating eye movements, sounds, or taps. For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.

  • After the therapist and client agree that EMDR therapy is a good fit, and begin to work together in a phased approach. Phases 1 and 2 are preparing the client for processing and time varies by each patient.

    Depending on readiness, once the client begins Phases 3 through 7, the client will be asked to focus on a specific event. Attention will be given to a negative image, belief, and body feeling related to this event, and then to a positive belief that would indicate the issue was resolved. While the client focuses on the upsetting event, the therapist will begin sets of side-to-side eye movements, sounds, or taps. The client will be guided to notice what comes to mind after each set. They may experience shifts in insight or changes in images, feelings, or beliefs regarding the event. The client has full control to stop the therapist at any point, if needed. The sets of eye movements, sounds, or taps are repeated until the event becomes less disturbing.

     A typical EMDR Phase 3 through 7 session lasts from 60-90 minutes. EMDR therapy may be used within a standard talking therapy, as an adjunctive therapy with a separate therapist, or as a treatment all by itself.

  • EMDR therapy is a mental health intervention. As such, it should only be offered by properly trained and licensed mental health clinicians. EMDRIA does not condone or support indiscriminate uses of EMDR therapy such as "do-it-yourself" virtual therapy.

Crisis & After-Hours Support

  • If you or someone else is in immediate danger, experiencing a mental health crisis, or unable to stay safe, do not wait for a counseling appointment. Please contact one of the following immediately:

    • Call 911

    • Go to the nearest emergency room

    • Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)

    • Call the Coastal Bend Crisis Line: 1-888-767-4493

    • Corpus Christi Medical Center Bayview – Behavioral Health Emergency Services: 361-694-1234

    Your safety is the top priority.

  • Distinctive Counseling and Consulting is not a crisis center and does not provide emergency crisis intervention or on-call counseling. While our counselors can help you process crises during scheduled sessions, immediate crisis support should be handled through emergency services or crisis hotlines.

  • Counselors are generally not available after hours. Exceptions are made only if the counselor has personally provided their contact information and has agreed that you may reach them after hours. If you do not have direct approval, please use emergency resources listed above.

    You may also contact your counselor through your client portal at any time. Your counselor may get back to you during their normal business hours.

  • If the administrative office is closed, you may leave a voicemail, and someone will respond during normal business hours.

    You may also message your counselor directly via client portal, if you need same-day contact or need to cancel/reschedule a session.

    For any urgent safety concerns or mental health emergencies, please contact 911, 988, Corpus Christi Medical Center Bayview, or other local crisis services immediately.

Other Admin Support

  • If you are the client or the client’s parent/guardian, please contact our Administration Office by phone, text, or email. Include the client’s first and last name, along with your request for records.

    If you are not the client or parent/guardian, please submit a records request via fax or email.

    A signed Release of Information must be on file before any records can be released.

    Please allow up to 30 business days to receive records.

  • To contact the Council with questions or requests for assistance, please begin by visiting their website, www.bhec.texas.gov/contact-us/ then select the program and topic below that best describes the nature of your email. You will first be directed to frequently asked questions related to that subject. We ask that you carefully review the information provided to these common requests before sending in your question.

  • You can file a complaint by visiting www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection and then click “File a Consumer Complaint” which is listed under the tab “How do I file a consumer complaint?” under Common Questions.