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Many more or our clients have internet access. As a result, we have decided to place our welcoming packet, staff information, educational materials and homework materials on our home pages.
If you have any questions, please contact us at 803-765-0700 or 800-459-6780.
Client Information Brochure
Introduction
Welcome to Post Trauma Resources. We appreciate you allowing us the opportunity to be of assistance to you and/or your family.
This brochure answers some questions clients often ask about our work and the services that they will receive. It is important that you know as much as you can so that you can be an active participant in counseling.
This brochure provides information on the following topics:
- History and description of Post Trauma Resources
- Information about counseling
- The goals of counseling and methods of treatment
- Length of time required for counseling
- Cost of services and how we handle fees
- Other information you will want to know
This brochure is for you to keep and refer to later. Please read it and jot down any questions you might have. Your counselor will discuss much of this information with you and answer any questions during the first few times you meet.
About Post Trauma Resources
Post Trauma Resources is a mental health practice that offers counseling and evaluation services to children, adults, couples and families as well as special services to survivors of personal, work and duty-related disasters.
In 1982, Dr. Larry Bergmann founded Post Trauma Resources when the Veterans' Administration awarded him a contract to provide mental health services to Vietnam veterans and their families. After 1985, the firm expanded its services to victims of crime, disaster and all those in need of mental health services.
At the present time, Post Trauma Resources provides services to those experiencing problems such as:
- Depression and anxiety
- Addictions and stress-related disorders
- Grief and loss
- Substance abuse (alcohol and other drugs)
- Problems associated with chronic illness and pain
- Women's issues
- Child, adolescent and family problems
- Relationship difficulties
Along with the main office in Columbia, Post Trauma Resources maintains satellite offices in Aiken, Camden, Florence and Sumter.
As our name indicates the staff has special experience and expertise in the treatment of those experiencing traumatic events and disasters including:
- Early childhood trauma
- Sexual assault
- Robbery/burglary
- Physical violence
- Industrial accident
- Kidnapping
- Natural disaster
Post Trauma Resources is often asked to work with communities, public safety agencies and companies who experience disasters. In fact, in 1998, we assisted more than 150 such groups. Last year, the Department of Justice honored us by making us the only private group in the U.S. mentioned its publication describing best practices for crime
victims. The staff of Post Trauma Resources includes seven mental health professionals representing the disciplines of medicine, psychology, social work and counseling. They work together in a multi-disciplinary team that allows each client to receive the best possible services. The clinical staff is supported by four support staff including a practice manager, officer manager and two administrative specialists.
About Counseling and Psychotherapy
Because you will be putting a good deal of time, money and energy into counseling, you should choose a therapist carefully.
Among the questions you may want to ask any prospective counselor include:
- Education and license status
- Experience with problems like yours
- Experience with children experiencing problems like yours
- Years in practice
- Methods that will be used in counseling
- Additional training in special areas
At Post Trauma Resources, the professional staff represents a diverse set of backgrounds and experience to assist you in every way possible. They include a psychiatrist (a medical doctor specializing in mental health issues), a psychologist, clinical social workers and counselors. Each brings with them a special set of skills. It is important that you talk with your counselor about their experience and background so that you can be confident that he or she has the particular skills to meet your needs.
Regardless of background, most therapists operate in the same basic ways:
– Assess the Problem
– Develop a Plan
– Implement Change Techniques
– Evaluate Progress
– Develop a Modified Plan and Continue Treatment
Benefits and Risks of Counseling
As with any powerful treatment, there are some risks as well as many benefits with counseling. You should think about both the benefits and risks when making any treatment decisions. For example, in counseling, there is a risk that clients will, for a time, have uncomfortable levels of sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, frustration, loneliness, helplessness or other negative feelings. Some clients may recall unpleasant memories. These feelings or memories may bother some people at work or at home. Some people may think that being in counseling means that they are weak or crazy and can't make it on their own. Also, clients in counseling may have problems with people important to them. Family secrets may be told. Counseling may strain or disrupt a marriage and may even lead to divorce. Sometimes, too, a client's problems may temporarily worsen after the beginning of treatment. Most of these risks are to be expected when people make important changes in their lives. Finally, even with our best efforts, there is a risk that therapy may not work out well and you may not significantly improve.
As you consider these risks, you should also realize that the benefits of counseling have been shown by scientists in hundreds of research studies. For example, people who are depressed may find their mood lifting. Others may no longer feel afraid, angry or anxious. Couples may begin to feel more compatible and family harmony may occur. Those experiencing stress-related disorders after trauma may be able to more effectively go on with their lives. In counseling, people have a chance to talk things out fully until their feelings are relieved or their problems are solved. Clients' relationships and coping skills can improve greatly. They may get more satisfaction out of social and family relationships. Their personal goals and values may become clearer. They may experience personal growth, more meaningful relationships, more productivity at work and school and have more energy for fun and recreation.
Consultation and Supervision
If you could benefit from a specific treatment or technique that your counselor cannot provide, they will help you find the right person to assist you. You have a right to ask about alternative treatments, their risks and benefits. Based on what we learn about your problems, a medical exam or use of medication may be recommended. The reasons for these recommendations will be fully discussed with you so that you can decide what is best. If you are treated by another professional, your counselor will coordinate services with them and your own medical doctor.
It is often helpful for your counselor to get input from another professional. At Post Trauma Resources, it is routine for counselors to receive clinical consultation from the director and to meet with other staff to improve their skills and increase the effectiveness of the services provided to you. Information shared in consultation and supervision is held to the same confidentiality rules as your counseling sessions.
If, for some reason, treatment is not going well, you counselor might suggest you see another counselor. As a responsible and ethical professional, he or she cannot continue to treat you if counseling is not working for you. If you wish for another professional's opinion at any time, or wish to talk to another therapist, your counselor will help you find a qualified person and will provide him or her with the information needed.
What to Expect from Your Relationship with Your Counselor
Ethical standards from our various professional organizations put limits on the relationship between a counselor and client. It is important to understand these limits so that you will understand how we will proceed and will not think they are personal responses to you.
First, each counselor at Post Trauma Resources is licensed to practice some form of mental health counseling – not law, medicine or any other profession. We are not able to give you good advice in these other professional areas.
Second, ethical standards and state laws require us to keep what you tell us confidential (private). You can trust your counselor not to tell anyone else what you talk about, except in certain limited situations. These special circumstances are explained later in this brochure.
We also work very hard not to reveal who are our clients. This is part of our effort to maintain your privacy. If you see your counselor on the street or socially, he or she may not say hello or talk to you very much. This behavior is not a personal reaction to you but a way to maintain the confidentiality of your counseling relationship.
Third, we can only be your counselor. We cannot have any other role in your life. We cannot now, or ever, be a close friend or socialize with any of our clients. We cannot be a therapist to someone who is already a friend. We can never have a sexual or romantic relationship with any client during, or after, the course the course of counseling. We cannot have a business relationship with any of our clients other than the therapy relationship.
About Confidentiality
All of the staff at Post Trauma Resources take privacy and confidentiality very seriously. Your counselor will take the greatest care of all the information shared during treatment. This is the reason that you are asked to sign a "release-of-information" before any information is provided to anyone else. In general, your counselor will tell no one what is said during counseling or that you are even receiving treatment.
In all but a few situations, your confidentiality is protected by state law and professional ethics. Here are the most common cases in which confidentiality is not protected.
- If you were sent to Post Trauma Resources by a court
for evaluation or treatment, i.e. Pre-Trial Intervention, the
court expects a report from us. If this is your situation, please talk with your counselor before you say anything you do not want the court to know.
- Are you suing someone or being sued? Are you charged with a crime? If so, and you tell the court that you are seeing one of us, we may be ordered to show the court our records. Please consult your attorney about these issues.
- If you make a serious threat to harm yourself or someone else, the law requires your counselor to try and protect you or that other person. In order to insure your own safety and/or that of someone else, your counselor may need to notify other people such as family members or people in authority.
- If your counselor believes that a child has been or will be abused or neglected, we are legally required to report this to the SC Department of Social Services.
- The laws regarding confidentiality of records for Workers' Compensation cases differ than those with other kinds of mental health treatment. Please read the attached "Notes on Workers' Compensation."
Except for these situations, the office staff and your counselor will always maintain your privacy. We also ask that you do not disclose the identity of any other client being seen in this office.
The office staff makes every effort to keep the names and records of clients private. They will try never to use your name on the telephone; other clients may be in the office and overhear it. All employees of Post Trauma Resources have been trained in how to keep records confidential.
If your records need to be seen by another professional, or anyone else, your counselor will discuss it with you. If you agree to share these records, you will need to sign a release form. This form states exactly what information is to be shared, with whom and why and it also sets time limits. You may read this form at any time.
It is the policy of Post Trauma Resources to retain all records for five years.
About Appointments
A counseling appointment is a commitment to work with your counselor to reach your treatment goals. You and your counselor agree to meet and to be on time. If your counselor is ever unable to start on time, we ask your understanding. You will receive your full counseling session. If you are late, we will probably be unable to meet for the full time because it is likely that another client is scheduled right after yours.
A canceled appointment delays your progress so please try not to cancel any counseling sessions. When you must cancel, please do so within 48 hours of your appointment time. Your appointment is reserved just for you and we can rarely fill a time without this notice. If you begin to miss sessions, your counselor will have to talk with you about charging you for the time lost. Your insurance will not cover these charges.
If you fail a counseling appointment, you will be charged for the session. Again, insurance will not cover these charges.
Rarely, your counselor must cancel your appointment on short notice to respond to a traumatic event. We know that this will inconvenience you and ask that you understand we do not take such action lightly. Your appointment will be canceled only if absolutely necessary – as a last resort.
Fees, Payment and Billing
Payment for services is important in any professional relationship. This is even more true in counseling; one treatment goal is to make relationships and the duties they involve clear. You are responsible for seeing that our services are paid for. Meeting this responsibility shows your commitment to treatment and allows us to continue to help others in need.
There is no charge for telephone calls or when you contact us for emergencies. The regular counseling fees apply for telephone sessions.
Post Trauma Resources does not charge for writing letters, completing paperwork for insurance companies or brief reports. Evaluations, or other complex reports are billed for the time it requires to complete. Your counselor will discuss this with you if such a situation occurs.
Other services such as home and hospital visits, court related
services (testimony, depositions, attendance at court hearings, etc.) are billed for the time involved. You should talk with your counselor if you need these services.
We realize that our fees involve a substantial commitment. For you to get the best value for your money, we must work hard and well.
If You Have Traditional Health Insurance Coverage
Many health insurance plans will help you pay for counseling and other services offered at Post Trauma Resources.
The clerical staff will assist you with your insurance claims in any way possible. However, please keep two things in mind. First, we have had no role in deciding what your insurance covers. Your employer has made the decision which mental health services are covered and how much will be paid. While we will assist you in understanding your benefits, your insurance contract is between you and your company. Second, you, not your insurance company or any other person, company or organization are responsible for paying your fees. If your insurance does not pay, then you are responsible for paying your fees.
If you ever have any questions about your insurance, please ask the clerical staff or your counselor.
If You Have a Managed Care Contract
If you belong to a health maintenance organization (HMO) or have another kind of health insurance with managed care, decisions about what kind of care you need and how much of it you can receive will be reviewed by the plan. The plan has rules, limits, and procedures that we should discuss.
We will provide information about you to your insurance company only with your informed and written consent. I may send this information by mail or fax. My office will try its best to maintain the privacy of your records but I ask you not to hold us responsible for accident or anything that happens as a result.
Please make sure and read, "Notes on Managed Care."
If You Were Referred by an Employee Assistance Program
Employee Assistance Programs (EAP's) are company and organizationally supported counseling and referral programs. Close to 80% of all the large companies in the U.S. have EAP's. These programs take many forms from having a local counselor available to large groups of mental health professionals who contract with corporations such as Merit, Human Affairs International and others. The benefits vary greatly and include as few as two assessment and referral sessions to short-term counseling lasting several months
You and your counselor may be asked to complete additional paperwork. This may include statements of understanding, problem assessments or treatment plans. Completion of this paperwork may be necessary in order for you to receive services here.
Some EAP's also have provisions for mandatory referrals in the case of substance abuse, violence and other work-related problems. If you have been referred here on a mandatory basis, there may be consequences if you do not actively participate in treatment and allow us to release information about your progress.
Please speak with your counselor is you have any concerns about this.
If You Need to Contact Your Counselor
Unfortunately, your counselor cannot always be available to you. Often they are seeing other clients or working in satellite locations. Also, counselors do not usually take telephone calls when they are with clients. You can always leave a message with the clerical staff and we will return your call as soon as possible, usually during that working day.
If you have an emergency or crisis, tell the receptionist when you call. If your counselor is not available, another counselor will assist you.
If you have an emergency after regular working hours, please call our 24 hour number, 765-0700 or 800-459-6780. The on-call counselor will call you back as soon as possible.
We have found that telephone counseling is not very effective and ask that you call your counselor only when you feel that you are experiencing a crisis or emergency.
If We Need to Contact Someone About You
If there is an emergency during a counseling session and your counselor becomes concerned about your personal safety, we are required by law and the rules of our professions to contact someone close to you -- perhaps a relative, spouse, or close friend. We are also required to contact this person or the authorities if your counselor becomes concerned about you harming someone else. The client intake form includes a space for your emergency contact.
Problems and Complaints
All of the professional staff abide by all of the rules of their professions and state licenses.
Problems can arise in a counseling relationship just as in any other relationship. If you are not satisfied with any area of your counseling, please let your counselor know at once. Your work will be slower and harder if your concerns with your counselor are not addressed immediately. You counselor will make every effort to hear any complaints you have and to seek solutions to them.
If you are not satisfied with your discussion with you counselor, please contact the director of Post Trauma Resources, Dr. Larry Bergmann so that he can assist you in resolving your concerns.
Finally, if you feel as if any of the staff has broken a professional rule and you have been unsuccessful in working this out with your counselor, you may contact the local licensing board for your counselor's profession.
Post Trauma Resources does not discriminate against clients because of any of these factors; race, religion, age, sex, marital/family status, sexual orientation, or criminal record unrelated to present dangerousness. This is our policy, the staff's personal commitment as well as being required by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. We will take steps to advance and support the values of equal opportunity, human dignity, and racial/ethnic/cultural diversity. If you believed that you have been discriminated against, please speak with your counselor or Dr. Bergmann.
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About Victims' Compensation
The purpose of Victims Compensation is to insure that crime victims receive medical and mental health services for injuries related to their victimization. It is the payer of "last resort" meaning that all other sources of payment must be exhausted before the State Office of Victim Assistance will reimburse providers for their services.
The staff of will assist you in every way possible to access all sources of financial support for the services you receive here. We will help you by completing insurance forms, getting authorizations and other tasks. We need your help as well. When you are asked to assist us, please cooperate by completing these tasks as soon as possible. We would also appreciate your bringing us anything you receive from the Division of Victim Assistance. Unfortunately, if we do not work together to comply with all of what is asked, you case will not be accepted and you will receive no benefits. In that case, you will be responsible for your fees.
You must exhaust all possible sources of payment before victims compensation will assist with your counseling expenses. If you have health insurance, you must follow the normal precertification and other requirements to obtain those benefits. This may include a physician referral. If your victimization occurred at work, you are required to submit a claim to your employers for workers' compensation benefits.
If your claim for victims compensation is denied, you have the right to an appeal. We will help you make your best case to the appeals committee.
We are committed to assisting victims of crime regardless of their financial means. If your application is denied by the State Office of Victim Assistance, Post Trauma Resources with work with you to set a fee that you can afford. If you require assistance after you have exhausted the benefits due to you, we will also work with you so that you can receive the services you require.
Please speak to your counselor or the business office if you have any questions or concerns.
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About Workers’ Compensation
You have been referred to Post Trauma Resources by your attorney, employer or workers' compensation carrier for symptoms resulting from a work-related injury.
The staff of Post Trauma Resources has extensive experience in evaluating and treating work-related injuries and is committed to providing you with the highest quality mental health services.
The workers' compensation system rules and regulations are controlled by the legislature and administered by the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission. If you have any questions, please consult the Commission or your attorney.
If you have been referred for evaluation services, the purpose of the evaluation is to assess the potential psychological impact of your injury and to offer recommendations for any needed treatment.
If you are here for treatment, the goal of services is to reduce or eliminate symptoms and assist you in returning to employment.
In South Carolina, the choice of providers and certain treatment decisions are made by the workers' compensation insurance carrier. For example, the carrier can deny certain types of treatment or tests. Under the workers' compensation procedures, you will be treated until you are symptom-free or reach "maximum medical improvement" (MMI). You reach MMI when your provider(s) believes that you have progressed as much as possible and it is unlikely that your condition will markedly improve from that point forward. If you have experienced a permanent disability as a result of your work-related injury, this information will be communicated to the insurance carrier and your attorney, if you have one.
Under law, confidentiality requirements for workers' compensation are different than for clients who receive services in other ways. Your counselor is required to provide written documentation concerning your treatment to the insurance company and others and may provide updates to case managers, adjusters and others.
Please speak to your counselor or the business office if you have any questions or concerns.
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Notes on Managed Care
Your health insurance may cover part of the costs of your therapy but these benefits cannot be paid until a "managed care organization" (MCO) says they can be. The MCO has been selected by your employer, not by you or Post Trauma Resources. The MCO sets some limits on you and us and it important that you understand how managed care operates.
If you use your health insurance to help pay for your treatment, you must allow us to inform the MCO of your difficulties, of the treatment being recommended and how you are doing. We are also required to supply the MCO with information on your progress during treatment. All of this information will become part of the MCO's records. All insurance companies must keep such information private and their are federal laws about its release. However, Post Trauma Resources does not control where this information is stored or how it is used. If you are concerned about this, it is important that you discuss this with your counselor or the business office before treatment begins and information is communicated to your MCO.
The MCO will review the information that is sent in and then will decide how much treatment can be provided to you. The MCO can refuse to allow us to treat you. It can refuse to pay for any of your treatment or may pay only a part of its cost. Finally, it can limit the types of treatment provided to you.
Even if it does give the "go-ahead" for treatment, the MCO may put limits on the number of times that you can be seen. Your insurance policy probably has a maximum number of appointments allowed for counseling but the MCO does not have to let you use all these appointments. Although your counselor may recommend or request further appointments, the MCO may not agree and can deny you treatment.
It is possible to appeal the MCO's decision on payment and number of sessions but this can only occur within the MCO's structure. There are no appeals to other professionals, your employer or through the courts without great effort.
You should also know that Post Trauma Resource's contract with your MCO may prevent us from taking actions against it if things go badly because of its decisions. Our contract may prevent us from discussing with you treatment choices for which the MCO will not pay. Your counselor will discuss with you any efforts the MCO makes to attempt to limit your care in any way.
Your MCO can change during the course of your treatment and some or all of the certification process might have to be repeated.
If you are concerned with these issues, it is your option to pay your fees directly and not use your health insurance. This will create no record outside of our internal filing system.
Please speak to your counselor or the business office if you have any questions or concerns.
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Client Bill of Rights
You have the right to:
- Get respectful treatment that will be helpful to you.
- Have a safe treatment setting, free from sexual, physical and emotional abuse.
- Report immoral and illegal behavior by a counselor.
- Ask for and receive information about a counselor's qualifications, including license, education, training, experience, membership in professional groups, special areas of practice and limits on practice.
- Have information, before entering therapy about fees, method of payment, insurance coverage, number of sessions therapist estimates will be needed, cancellation policies and other.
- Refuse audio or video recording of sessions (but you may ask for it if you wish).
- Refuse to answer any question or give any information choose not answer or give.
- Know if your counselor will discuss your case with others, i.e. supervisors, consultants, or students.
- Ask that the counselor will inform you of progress.
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For more information, contact Post Trauma Resources.
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