Frequently Asked Questions

We provide therapy and counseling for individuals, couples, families, children, caregivers, and groups. Our clinicians support clients with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, parenting, neurodiversity, chronic illness, identity exploration, career concerns, and more. We use a variety of evidence-based and specialized treatment approaches tailored to your unique needs. To learn more about the therapeutic approaches we offer, visit our Services page.

Our wait time can vary based on a few factors, including therapist availability and finding the right fit for your needs. Because we carefully consider your preferences, concerns, and scheduling needs, we can't always provide an exact timeline for matching. We'll keep you updated throughout the process and will reach out as soon as we're able to schedule your first appointment. Our goal is to connect you with the therapist who is the best fit for you, rather than simply the first available opening.

A : The cost of therapy depends on your insurance coverage and the services you receive. We bill most major insurance plans, including Oregon Health Plan (OHP), and also offer self-pay options. For a complete list of the insurance plans we accept, please visit our Insurance page. If you have questions about your coverage or out-of-pocket costs, we're happy to help you understand your benefits before your first appointment.

Getting started is simple. Complete our New Client Form, and we'll email you within 48 hours with your next steps. Once we receive your information, we'll work to match you with an available therapist based on your location, preferences, and availability.

In most cases, no referral is needed to begin therapy. However, some insurance plans require a referral or prior authorization before services are covered. If you're planning to use insurance, we recommend checking with your insurance provider to understand your specific benefits and requirements. If you have questions about your coverage, our team is happy to help guide you through the process.

IteFinding the right therapist is important, which is why we offer a free 15-minute consultation before you begin therapy. This gives you the opportunity to ask questions and see if the therapist feels like a good fit. If you decide after starting therapy that you'd be better matched with someone else, let us know. We're happy to help connect you with another therapist who better meets your needs.m description

Our practice is not a crisis service. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, are concerned about your safety, or are having thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, please call 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

PCIT (Parent-Child Interaction Therapy) is an evidence-based treatment for children ages 2–7 and their caregivers. It helps improve challenging behaviors such as tantrums, defiance, aggression, difficulty following directions, and emotional disregulation while strengthening the parent-child relationship through live coaching and play. Because PCIT is a specialty service offered by a limited number of our clinicians, wait times for an initial appointment may be longer than for general therapy services. During your consultation, we'll determine whether PCIT is the best fit for your family's needs.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps process traumatic or distressing experiences. EMDR may be a good fit for individuals experiencing the effects of trauma, PTSD, anxiety, panic, phobias, grief, or other distressing life experiences. It can also help those who feel "stuck" in patterns related to past events. While some people benefit from processing a single event, EMDR is typically most effective as part of a series of consistent sessions tailored to your individual needs. During your consultation, we'll discuss whether EMDR is the right fit for your goals. Because only a few of our clinicians offer EMDR, appointments may have a longer wait time than traditional therapy.

We understand that unexpected situations come up, and we strive to treat each client with compassion and flexibility. Each therapist considers the individual circumstances surrounding a canceled appointment when determining how to handle cancellations and whether a fee will apply. Cancellations or requests to reschedule must be received at least 24 hours in advance. Appointments canceled or rescheduled with less than 24 hours' notice may be charged the full session fee. If you have questions about our cancellation policy or experience an unexpected emergency, please reach out to your therapist as soon as possible.

The best way to understand your insurance benefits is to call the member services number on the back of your insurance card to confirm your behavioral health benefits and costs for services atFir Counseling.

We recommend asking:

• What are my behavioral health benefits?

• What is my deductible, copay, or coinsurance?

• Is there a limit on the number of sessions covered?

• Do I need pre-authorization?

• What are my out-of-network benefits?

Your insurance company may also ask for potential billing codes:

• 90791 – Initial Intake Assessment

• 90837 – Individual Therapy Session, 53-60 minutes

• 90847 – Family Therapy with Client Present

• 90846 - Family Therapy without Client Present

The code used will depend on the services you receive.

If your insurance company needs additional information about Fir Counseling or your therapist, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

Because every insurance plan is different, we encourage you to confirm your benefits directly with your insurance company before beginning services.