Out of the Woods

216 North McDonough Street Jonesboro, Georgia 30236  571-447-2539

Frequently Asked Questions


What can I expect when I sign up for counseling?

In advance of your appointment, we will take care of all of the legal paperwork and background information. That we we can jump in and get started as soon as you walk in the door. Individual sessions are approximately 50-55 minutes. Group sessions vary can last between 60 minutes and 120 minutes. Your first session may feel more like an interview than a traditional counseling session. This is because it is very important to understand the nature of your concerns and the background before creating a plan of action. 

For additional information about what to expect from during the first session, please an article Cyndy wrote a while back. Click here

Where is the office? No really where is it?
The office is located at 216 North McDonough Street in Jonesboro Georgia 30236.  It is brown building with a brown door. There is no sign out front, but when you come into the lobby you will see a sign letting you know you are in the right place.  The office is short drive from Stockbridge, Morrow, Riverdale, Hampton, and Lovejoy.  UPDATE FOR 2020 DUE TO COVID-19, THE PHYSICAL OFFICE IS CLOSED, BUT SESSION CONTINUE THROUGH DOXY.ME AND ONLINE VIDEO CHAT SERVICE.

Do you take my insurance?
Currently Blue Cross, Aetna, and Cigna (except Cigna 360) are accepted with plans for additional insurance companies in the future so check back. If you have Out of Network benefits, the proper paperwork can be supplied; however Out of the Woods cannot guarantee an insurance company will reimburse. 

How much does cost if I don't have insurance?
Individual and family therapy are $110. If this is not affordable for you, please ask about our sliding scale.

How long are the sessions?
Unless otherwise noted, sessions are 50 to 55 minutes. This allows a few minutes in between sessions for the counselor to manage logistics and prepare for the next client. This also means that client arriving late will only be seen during their scheduled time. This prevents backups that would be very inconvenient for the last person on the daily calendar. 

What if I am running late?

We do have some options if you are running late. Please call immediately to discuss options. We may be able to do the session online so that you are able to have the benefit of your full session. There is a $25 fee for missed appointments. Please plan ahead.

 

What is life coaching?

Life coaching is encouragement, guidance, and accountability designed to assist the coachee in identifying and completing goals. A good life coach trains you and helps you design a game plan so you can win whatever battle you face.  This is done by adjusting thought patterns, sparking creativity, and powerful problem solving techniques.  

Biblical life coaching focuses on assisting the believer in living a life that is dependent on Christ and in line with God's Word and His way of creating life-long change.

What can I expect when I sign up for life coaching?
Preparation for your session will occur well in advance of your session.  You will have homework assignments or exercises to complete and your coach will pray for you and prepare materials if needed before the session.  Your phone session will begin with prayer.  This is very important because we want the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide the session.  A review of homework is next.  The results of the homework will likely highlight what needs to happen next.  You will also be asked what you would like to cover during the session.  Your coach will ask you questions to challenge, inspire, and motivate you.  Life coaching is very action oriented.  Expect to have a laundry list of things to do between sessions. Together, the potential obstacles will be examined and crushed.  The session will conclude with a review of progress and establishing accountability for the agreed upon homework.

Email sessions run slightly differently.  To get started, you will be provided a form to complete that will help you specifically identify what you would like to accomplish and what has prevented you from accomplishing what you wanted in the past.  Each session will include personally written questions, suggestions, and exercises to guide you closer to your goals.

I heard you will not coach other coaches, why not?
You did hear correctly -- sort of.  I do not coach other coaches on their coaching practices.  There seems to be a trend in the life coaching community where life coaches focus their practice on creating, certifying, and credentialing life coaches. Quite frankly, that doesn't inspire me.  It seems like they are just making an endless circle of life coaches.  I enjoy working with people who have unique dreams, no dreams, and outlandish dreams.  I am motivated by those trying to create something new or overcome something major.  If a life coach wants to overcome their fear of public speaking or improve their relationship with their grandchildren, I'd be happy to work with him or her. 

Why is it important to work with a biblical life coach?
This is a great question.  The bible is the perfect book to serve as a foundation for life change.  Isn't life change what the bible is all about?  There are lots of human made techniques designed to change  a person's life, but the bible is by far the most reliable tool.  Further, there are some techniques used in secular life coaching that violate principles of scripture.

What is the difference between a coach and a counselor?
Coaches and counselors are very different even though many of the skills are the same.  A coach works with those who are emotionally healthy and need assistance with moving forward.  A counselor can additionally work with those who are emotionally unhealthy and need assistance coping with their past.  A counselor can coach, but a coach should not counsel.  Coaching sessions and counseling sessions also look very different. Coaching is fast paced and action oriented.  Counseling moves at a slower pace and is often feeling or process oriented. Coaches are more likely to challenge and stretch clients.  Counselors are more likely to comfort and reassure clients.  If you are not certain which service is right for you, just ask.  It's a common question.

I'm still not certain. Should I request counseling or coaching services?
No problem. Just shoot an email to info@getoutofthewoods.com describing what you would like to accomplish through services. We'll take it from there. 

Do you write letters for support animals?
Sorry no. The use of support animals is a new phenomena and we do not have long-term research to support their use. We do have long-term research to support a wide range of other methods and I am focused there.