Frequently Asked Questions

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Elu: Counseling, Consulting, and Coaching is a counseling service that provides mental health support to individuals, couples, families, and organizations in need of support.

You can book an appointment with Elu: Counseling, Consulting, and Coaching by calling our office or by filling out an online booking form on our website. 

Elu: Counseling, Consulting, and Coaching offers a variety of counseling services, including individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, play therapy, and group therapy.

 You do not have to be in crisis to benefit from counseling. Many people seek therapy to improve relationships, manage stress, navigate life transitions, strengthen coping skills, process grief, increase self-awareness, or simply improve their overall emotional well-being. If something is affecting your quality of life, counseling may be a helpful place to begin. 

 Your first session is an opportunity to get to know your clinician and share what brings you to counseling. Together you will review your history, current concerns, goals for treatment, and any questions you may have. You and your clinician will begin developing a plan that fits your unique needs.

 The length of counseling varies for every individual. Some clients meet for only a few sessions to address a specific concern, while others benefit from longer-term therapy for ongoing personal growth or more complex issues. Your clinician will regularly review your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed. 

 Most clients begin with weekly sessions to build momentum and establish progress towards therapy goals. Appointments may decrease in frequency as goals are met. 

 That is perfectly normal. Your therapist will guide the conversation by asking questions, helping you identify concerns, and exploring what is most important to you. There is no expectation that you arrive with everything figured out.

 Telehealth counseling allows you to meet with a clinician using secure video technology instead of traveling to an office. Research has consistently shown that telehealth can be an effective way to receive counseling for many common behavioral health concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, relationship concerns, grief, and many other mental health conditions. 

 Yes. We take your privacy seriously and make every effort to ensure that appointments between you and your therapist are secure and confidential.  Our telehealth platform is designed to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). 

Our telehealth platform:

• Uses encrypted audio and video communication.
• Meets HIPAA security standards.
• Protects the privacy of your health information.
• Requires secure access for both patients and clinicians.

While no technology can guarantee absolute security, we use industry-standard safeguards to protect your personal health information.

 Many insurance plans cover behavioral health telehealth visits.

However, benefits can vary depending on:

• Your insurance company & your individual health plan
• State regulations

We recommend contacting your insurance company before your appointment to verify:

• Whether telehealth counseling is covered and any limits
• Your copay or coinsurance
• Whether prior authorization is required

 You will need:

• A computer, tablet, or smartphone.
• A camera and microphone.
• A reliable internet connection.
• A quiet, private location where you can speak freely.

Using headphones can further improve privacy and reduce background noise.

Note: Many clients complete sessions from:

• Their home
• Their office (during a private break)
• Their parked vehicle (not while driving)
• Another confidential location

Please do not participate while driving or operating machinery.

 Technology occasionally experiences interruptions.

If your video connection is lost:

1. Try reconnecting using the same appointment link.
2. Restart your browser or device if necessary.
3. Your therapist may call you using the phone number on file, if appropriate.
4. If the problem cannot be resolved, your appointment may be rescheduled or completed by telephone, if clinically appropriate and permitted by your insurance.

If you will be traveling, please notify our office before your appointment so we can determine whether services may legally continue while you are away. Clinicians generally must be licensed to practice in the state where the patient is physically located during the appointment time.

 Whether in-office or telehealth, you can take a few steps to prepare for your appointment. 

For Telehealth:

• Log in about 5 minutes early. Test your camera and microphone.
• Silence notifications on your device to minimize interruptions. 
• Complete any requested paperwork beforehand.
• Keep water, tissues, or a notebook nearby if desired.
• Think about topics you want to discuss or questions you have.

For In-Office:

• Arrive about 5 minutes before the appointment time. 
• Silence notifications on your device to minimize interruptions. 
• Complete any requested paperwork beforehand.
• Bring water, tissues, or a notebook if desired.
• Think about topics you want to discuss or questions you have.