Frequently Asked Questions

If you do not see the answer to your question on this page, please contact us.

General Questions

• What typically happens at a therapy appointment?

Typical appointments generally last around 45 minutes to an hour. The flow of each appointment will depend largely on what kind of service you are enrolled in and what kind of goals you and your clinician have set, usually during your first appointment (or changing as your personal needs change). All treatment plans will be individualized to address your specific needs, obstacles, and techniques for progress and success.

• What is the difference between a psychiatrist, psychologist, and therapist; what does my clinician's professional title mean?

There are many different titles and terms within the mental health field that refer to certifications, qualifications, and specializations. Mental health services may be provided by an individual or a team within a variety of academic and professional backgrounds.

Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist is a medical doctor. Psychiatry practice combines knowledge of medical and physical conditions along with psychological factors. Psychiatrists conduct psychiatric evaluations, prescribe medications, and may also provide psychotherapy for a portion of the session. Psychiatrists collaborate with other medical providers for the best pharmacological management.

Psychologist: Psychologists generally hold a doctoral degree, such as a PhD or PsyD, in clinical or counseling psychology. They complete a predoctoral internship, followed by postdoctoral supervised training prior to being licensed. Psychologists are trained to diagnose and treat psychological disorders and disabilities. They are able to conduct psychological testing, which is used to clarify a diagnosis and/or assist in planning the best sort of care. Psychologists at Solutions also provide clinical supervision to the treatment teams and assist with program development.

Therapist or Counselor: While psychiatrists and psychologists may provide therapy, a therapist or counselor generally refers to a master's level mental health professional who is licensed to provide therapy or counseling. This includes professionals with advanced training in social work, counseling, or marriage and family therapy, along with supervised experience. Licensing boards have individual requirements for licensure. Therapists at Solutions are licensed and follow evidence-based practices, but the term can be used generally and does not always have a standard or specific definition. It is therefore important to familiarize yourself with a therapist's qualifications. Examples of the variety of master's level therapists are provided below:

LICSW: A Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) and has had the necessary supervised work experience to meet requirements of the state Board of Social Work. LICSWs are approved providers for Medicare. 

LPCC: A Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) holds a master's degree such as an MA, MS, or MEd along with required supervised experience to meet the requirements of the state board of Counseling.

LMFT: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) hold an MA, MS, or MEd and have specialized training and supervision in providing marriage and family therapy.

Clinical Trainees: Pre-license therapists practicing under supervision have a master's degree and are working to gain clinical experience under the oversight of a licensed provider. Solutions does have some therapist trainees who are working under the supervision of a licensed therapist to gain the experience required to become licensed.

• Will my enrollment with Solutions and what I talk about with my clinician be kept confidential?

Yes, unless there is a serious concern about the safety of yourself or others, or when required by federal, state, or local law. Solutions follows a strict privacy policy and complies with the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPAA"). Before you start services, we will have you read and sign our Notice of Privacy Practices. For more information on our privacy policy, please click here.

Service-Related Questions

• When is Solutions open, and are you open on weekends?

Our office hours depend on the location. Please check out our various clinics under the Location tab to find specific weekday hours, which may vary. All clinics have additional hours, including weekends, by appointment only depending on staff availability. Clinics are closed on holidays.

• How do I make an appointment?

Before an appointment is scheduled, you will need to provide the Intake Worker with some information pertaining to your personal identity, insurance situation, and if necessary, what kind of services you are seeking. We will need this information to schedule you with the most appropriate clinician, or help you with a referral if Solutions does not have the services you need.

You can contact the Intake Worker by either calling or visiting your nearest Solutions clinic. For more information, you can access our Making an Appointment page.

• What happens at my first appointment?

The first appointment is designed to help develop a collaborative relationship between the client, the therapist and Solutions, as well as fill out the paperwork and obtain additional information in order to proceed with treatment.

You will initially meet with our Client Care Coordinator, who will first review and update your information and discuss any questions you have. Then, he or she will assist you in completing necessary paperwork, such as organizing the financial relationship between you and Solutions, and also providing your consent to receive care at Solutions.

After that you will meet with the therapist. The purpose of this initial appointment is to get to know you, your concerns, and your mental health condition. This process is called a diagnostic assessment. At the end of the assessment, the therapist will review his or her findings with you and discuss recommendations for treatment. The decision to continue on with treatment is mutual, and will be based upon a collaborative direction for treatment.

• Can I arrange for an appointment in a non-English language?

We do not currently have clinicians who can offer service in languages other than English, however, Solutions will work with qualified interpreters. Please contact us for more information.

• How far in advance can I schedule an appointment?

Appointments are usually scheduled up to about a month in advance. Depending on the staff or service, scheduling further out may be possible or necessary.

Insurance and fees

• How much do services at Solutions cost?

Costs are dependent upon the service, and your personal situation. Typically, costs are covered partly or in full by insurance companies, and how much is covered depends on your specific insurance plan. Necessary services will not be denied based upon inability to pay. For a more specific idea of what services will cost you, please contact your insurance company for information about what your plan covers, or contact us for general information. Please note that many insurance policies may require a co-pay, and co-pays are due at your time of service at Solutions.

• What kinds of insurance do you accept?

Solutions can accept most major insurances. However, whether or not your insurance company provides mental health coverage may depend on your particular policy. For more information, about what kinds of services your policy covers, please contact your insurance company directly.

• Do you have a sliding fee scale?

In some cases, we can use a sliding fee scale. Please contact us for details.

• Do I need a referral to make an appointment?

No, you do not need a referral to access services at Solutions. However, please note that some insurance plans may require a referral for coverage.

Miscellaneous

• Do you have any open positions for job-seekers?

Please refer to our Employment page for current job openings. We typically have open positions in our various locations.

• Does Solutions offer any internships to students?

Solutions does have a variety of internship opportunities, available upon program needs and supervision availability. Please check out our Internships page for any current information or opportunities, or alternatively, call us at our Moorhead location for more information. We also offer job opportunities ideal for students or those seeking experience in the mental health field. Please see our Employment page for more details.