The appointment

When you call Catholic Charities for a counseling appointment:

1.     You will first speak with an intake therapist.

2.     This staff member will ask for information, including the reason for your call, along with basic items such as your address and phone number and insurance coverage.

3.     The intake therapist will discuss our sliding fee scale.

4.     The intake therapist will complete the intake form based on the information you provide and forward it to the director of counseling services.

5.     The director will review the intake information and decide which therapist will work with you.

6.     Assignment to a therapist will usually occur within 24 hours of your initial call.

7.     The assigned therapist will call you to set up an initial appointment.

8.     Every attempt will be made to schedule appointments at mutually convenient times.

9.  Appointments can be scheduled at our office in Greensburg or at our offices in Belle Vernon, Indiana, Kittanning, New Kensington or Uniontown.

The first meeting and goal plan

When you meet your therapist for the first time, you will have the opportunity to discuss your situation and what brings you into counseling. The therapist will ask further questions to help complete the picture of the problems or situations that concern you.

The outcome of this assessment will be a treatment plan. You and your therapist will work together on the development of this written plan. It will describe what you want to be different in your life as a result of counseling. It will also detail the steps that each person will take to achieve the goals. The plan may be revised as some goals are met, or as new needs emerge.

The goal of counseling is to support your growth and development in ways that promote your interests and welfare and the interests and welfare of those you care about. Counseling work involves collaboration between you and the therapist in order to enhance your growth and well-being.

It is important that you participate to the best of your ability in the counseling relationship together with your therapist. Counseling work is based on honest communication and a sincere desire to make the decisions that will improve your life. The therapist’s role is to assist and facilitate the growth and decision-making in your life.  Your role is to communicate your distress, your ideas, your fears and hopes and plans honestly and with courage.

The counseling relationship is a safe place to explore different ideas about your life, to try out new behavior, to experience a depth of feeling about your situation, and to develop the hope in the future that contributes to a healthier and happier life.