Steps to Preparing for an Initial Appointment

Congratulations! You are ready to take the crucial steps to improve the quality of your life. Give yourself much deserved credit for the courage it requires to take these important steps. Many people never get to this stage which speaks volumes of your commitment to making change. 

In order to be fully prepared, the following items are required at the initial session. Here is a simple checklist to ensure you will be fully ready for our first meeting. More detailed information is provided below. Feel free to call in case you have questions.

  • Intake Paperwork (fully completed)
  • Insurance Card and Information (if using insurance)
  • Session Payment (cash or check are acceptable)
  • Directions to the Office

Here are some of the logistics to getting started

(1)        Call 678-677-4851 so we can speak briefly about what you want from therapy. I want to be sure we are a good match for one another based on your goals, hopes, and schedule. Note that I will want to hear from both members of a couple prior to beginning counseling. However, it is fine to schedule an initial couples/marital appointment with one person.

(2)        Be sure to have your schedule available so we can set an appointment.

(3)        You will need to complete Intake Paperwork prior to our first session. Paperwork is available below and should take 20-30 minutes to complete. This paperwork includes information on polices concerning confidentiality, privacy, cancellations, and fee collection. This information will be reviewed at your initial session and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

 

Initial Session Paperwork

Review the sets of paperwork below to ensure you are completing the proper forms:

Option 1: Individual Counseling Using Insurance

Option 2:  Individual Counseling Self Pay (No Insurance)

Option 3: Individual Counseling (Clients Under 18)

Option 4: Couples/Marital Counseling (Note: each individual must complete paperwork)

Option 5: Pre-Marital Counseling (Note: each individual must complete paperwork)

(These forms are in PDF format. You must have Adobe Reader 6.0 or higher in order to view and print. Download Adobe Reader.) 

 

Optional Clinical Form

If you would like me to communicate with other individuals, family, or health care providers (referring therapists, previous therapists, psychiatrists, etc.) in support of our therapy together, I will need your written permission to contact them. Please complete the form below for any individuals that are essential to your mental health care. If you have any questions or concerns, we can discuss them at our initial session prior to you completing this form. This is not a required form to begin therapy.

 

Release of Information Form

 

Initial Session Expectations

(1)        Sessions last 55 minutes unless otherwise specified. Sometimes an initial appointment will go a few minutes longer to ensure the needed information is discussed. Do your very best to arrive early to ensure we can use all of the time.

(2)        Our initial session will be focused on orienting you to therapy. During this session we will be (1) reviewing therapy roles, goals, policies, and structure, (2) examining responses on your completed paperwork, (3) gathering more in depth information about the problem(s) that led you to therapy, (4) gathering historical information (family, past relationships, previous therapy, etc.) and (5) identifying some potentially helpful directions for meeting your therapy goals.

 

Fees and Insurance

(1)        Fees

Cash or check (not credit cards or other electronic methods of payment) are accepted methods of payment and are collected at the beginning of sessions. Make checks out to "Dr. Andy Case". For individuals using insurance, fees vary based on insurance carrier and policy type. Some require meeting deductibles while others require a copayment. Contact your insurance carrier to ensure proper understanding of your policy and the exact fees required at time of our initial appointment. If you have made payments on your deductible, proof of these payments are required at the beginning of your initial session.

(2)        Insurance 

At this time, I accept the following insurance:

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance
  • UGA Graduate Student Insurance

If you have a different carrier, contact them to see if they will reimburse you for paying me as an out-of network provider.  In this setup, I will provide you with receipts for payment of my fee. I will also provide you with the specific paperwork that you can file with your insurance company to get reimbursed.

Here are the questions to ask your insurance provider:

  • Do I have mental health benefits?
  • What is my deductible?
  • How much of my deductible has been met?
  • Do I have a copay that is expected at time of session? 
  • How many sessions per calendar year does my plan cover?
  • How much do you reimburse for out-of-network providers?
  • Is this amount the same for each session (initial session vs. follow up sessions)?
  • Is there a time when the amount of reimbursement changes (session 10, 20, etc.)?
  • Do you reimburse for couples/marital counseling?

 

Directions, Parking, Waiting Room and Accessibility 

(1)       Directions

My office address is 105A Cedar Rock Trace, Athens GA 30605. This is just off of Barnett Shoals Road on the east side of Athens. Below you will find directions from the following areas:

  

* University of Georgia

* West Athens and Commerce

* Watkinsville and Madison

* Lawrenceville

* Elberton 

 

From the University of Georgia (Travel Time 5-7 minutes):

  • Get on College Station Road heading south.
  • Stay on College Station Road for approximately 2 miles, passing under the 78/10 loop
  • College Station Road dead ends into Barnett Shoals Road. Turn right at the stoplight.
  • Travel approximately .5 miles on Barnett Shoals Rd., passing a fire station on your right at the half way point.
  • Look for a brick sign on your right that says "Pinecrest". Turn right at the sign onto Cedar Rock Trace Rd.
  • The first building on your left says "Chiropractor". My office is in the 2nd building on your left. The door to the waiting room is on the side of the 2nd building facing the Chiropractor's office. Look for the maroon sign with my name and 105A on the door.
    •

 

For West Athens and Commerce-Starting at the Intersection of 441 and 78/10 Loop (Travel Time 12-15 minutes)  

  • Get on the 78/10 loop at 441 traveling south and east. Travel on the loop for 3 miles.
  • Take exit #10C: WATKINSVILLE/ATHENS PERIMETER HWY. Travel on the loop for approximately 3 miles.
  • Take exit #7: COLLEGE STATION RD/UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
  • Turn left on COLLEGE STATION RD. Stay on College Station Road for 2 miles.
  • College Station Road dead ends into Barnett Shoals Road. Turn right at the stoplight.
  • Travel approximately .5 miles on Barnett Shoals Rd., passing a fire station on your right at the half way point.
  • Look for a brick sign on your right that says "Pinecrest". Turn right at the sign onto Cedar Rock Trace Rd.
  • The first building on your left says "Chiropractor". My office is in the 2nd building on your left. The door to the waiting room is on the side of the 2nd building facing the Chiropractor's office. Look for the maroon sign with my name and 105A on the door.
    •  

 

For Watkinsville and Madison-Starting at South Main Street in Watkinsville (Travel Time 8-10 minutes)  

  • Turn Right on Simonton Bridge Road.
  • Simonton Bridge Road turns into Whitehall Road after approximately 3 miles.
  • Continue going straight on Whitehall Road for approximately 2.5 miles.
  • At your first and only stoplight continue going straight. Whitehall Rd. turns into Barnett Shoals Rd. at this stoplight.
  • Just after the stoplight look for a brick sign on your left that says "Pinecrest". Turn left at the sign on Cedar Rock Trace Rd.
  • The first building on your left says "Chiropractor". My office is in the 2nd building on your left. The door to the waiting room is on the side of the 2nd building facing the Chiropractor's office. Look for the maroon sign with my name and 105A on the door.

 

For Lawrenceville-Starting at the intersection of 316 and the 78/10 Loop (Travel Time 8-10 minutes)  

  • Take the 78/10 loop towards the University of Georgia for approximately 5 miles.
  • Take exit 6 Milledge Avenue. Turn right at the stoplight, traveling towards the Botanical Gardens. You will trevel on Milledge Avenue for approximately 2 miles.
  • Milledge Avenue dead ends into Whitehall Road. Turn left onto Whitehall Road
  • Travel 1.5 miles on Whitehall Road
  • At the only stoplight continue going straight. Whitehall Rd. turns into Barnett Shoals Rd.
  • Just after the stoplight look for a brick sign on your left that says "Pinecrest". Turn left at the sign on Cedar Rock Trace Rd.
  • The first building on your left says "Chiropractor". My office is in the 2nd building on your left. The door to the waiting room is on the side of the 2nd building facing the Chiropractor's office. Look for the maroon sign with my name and 105A on the door.  

 

For Elberton starting at Highway 29 (Travel Time 7-9 minutes)  

  • Travel on Highway 29 south towards the 78/10 loop and the University of Georgia. Stay on Highway 29 for approximately 3.5 miles.
  • Take exit #7: COLLEGE STATION RD/UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
  • Turn left on COLLEGE STATION RD. Stay on College Station Road for 2 miles.
  • College Station Road dead ends into Barnett Shoals Road. Turn right at the stoplight.
  • Travel approximately .5 miles on Barnett Shoals Rd., passing a fire station on your right at the half way point.
  • Look for a brick sign on your right that says "Pinecrest". Turn right at the sign onto Cedar Rock Trace Rd.
  • The first building on your left says "Chiropractor". My office is in the 2nd building on your left. The door to the waiting room is on the side of the 2nd building facing the Chiropractor's office. Look for the maroon sign with my name and 105A on the door.
    •

 

(2)        Parking

General Parking  
Multiple parking spaces are available just past the front door on your left or right. 
 
Special Parking

For individuals or couples coping with any form of physical disability or mobility impairment, feel free to use 1 of the 2 spaces by the front door. To get to these spaces, turn left just after the building with the sign that says "Chiropractor" and then make a quick right to get to the 2 spaces by the front door. Note that one space is a handicapped space while the other is not.  

 

(3)        Waiting Room  

  • Once parked, enter the front door and have a seat. I will come and get you from the waiting room when it is time for our session.
  • Restrooms are located in the hallway attached to the waiting room. Feel free to open the door to the hallway, finding the restrooms straight ahead.
  • Please keep the waiting room door closed at all times to keep noise levels to a minimum.
  • Please respect the need for quiet in the waiting room while therapists are working.
  • Cell phone calls can be made outside the waiting room.

 

(4)           Accessibility

  • My office is located entirely on the ground floor. No stairs or elevators are required.
  • Feel free to use handicapped parking as needed.
  • Restrooms are equipped with handrails as needed.
  • My office provides wide doors and space in each room for individuals in wheelchairs to make turns as needed. 

 

 

You have the initial information to get started. We look forward to working with you to make meaningful change and increase the quality and happiness of your life.