Initial Paperwork

Please download and fill out the 3 necessary forms and bring them with you to your first session.

1. The Professional Disclosure must be signed by each client (for family, couples, and marriage counseling all signatures may be on one form). Download Professional Disclosure Form.
2. Each client needs to fill out the appropriate Intake Form.  The Intake Form for Minors is for all clients under the age of 18 and is to be filled out by parents with input from children when appropriate.
3. The Notice of Privacy Practices must be signed by each adult client or by the parent of minors.  This form refers to our Notice of Privacy Practices which is in a blue binder in our waiting room that you can read when you first get to the office so that you can turn in a signed form.

If you have problems downloading the forms, you may choose to arrive at your appointment 20 minutes early to fill out your initial paperwork in the waiting room.  If you have any questions regarding the forms, do not hesitate to contact Brittany, or feel free to leave something blank and discuss it at your appointment.

Insurance Verification – Download Form

If you have insurance through Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, or Humana and want to use your insurance for your counseling sessions, then please download the Insurance Verification Form.  Fill out the top part of the form and email it to brittany@planocounseling.org.   If you have access to a scanner, you can also include a copy of the front and back of your insurance card; otherwise, it is completely fine to just bring your card with you to your first appointment.  If you are unable to email the actual form, then just email the applicable information.  After receiving your form, Brittany will check on your insurance benefits and then contact you with the details.

How do I schedule an appointment?

How much do sessions cost?

How long is a session?

How many sessions will I need?

How frequently do I need to come in to counseling?

What is Christian Counseling?

Do I have to be a Christian to receive counseling from you?

Why should I choose Christian Counseling?

Will you force your values and beliefs on me?

Does counseling work?

What happens during a counseling session?

What is your counseling approach?

What is the counseling process?

Are our sessions confidential?

If my spouse or child is unwilling to come to counseling what should I do?

Where is your office and at what times do you see people?

Do you take insurance?

Can marriage counseling really help?

Are you a counselor that just sits there and listens?

How do I schedule an appointment?
You can request information by clicking here, email me, or contact me at my confidential phone # at 214-491-0481. Often times I am in a session, so please leave a message letting me know when it is a good time to contact you, and I will return your call at my earliest convenience.

How much do sessions cost?
For clients paying out-of-pocket, I work on a sliding scale, so please contact me for fee information specific to your individual needs.  You may also call to schedule a complimentary 10-minute phone consultation.  For clients covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, or Humana, your session fees are based on your behavioral health benefits, which I am happy to check on for you.

How long is a session?
Counseling visits are offered in 50-minute sessions.  Double sessions can be scheduled for 100 minutes for out-of-town clients or those needing more intensive counseling.

How many sessions will I need?
Your treatment program will be created to fit your individual needs. Your counselor will work with you to determine the number of sessions recommended, however your total investment is often not known at the onset of counseling.  Sometimes as we proceed in the counseling relationship other issues will become apparent or it may take longer to work through issues.  Often times it takes 6 weeks for you to achieve lasting change in your life, depending on what issues and problems you bring to counseling.  However, counseling can last from 6 weeks to more than 6 months, depending on the complexity of your concerns and the level of dedication you have to making real changes in your life.  Since my philosophy is to get to the underlying issues and help you experience true, long term freedom and healing, I encourage clients to personally commit to at least six weeks.  Ultimately, though, the length of counseling is your decision.  Clients will never sign any contract regarding the number of sessions that they will attend.  You are welcome to come to your initial session and then determine if you want to come back.  My goal is to help you achieve the lasting results you want as quickly as possible.   As your counselor, I will listen objectively and be completely focused on helping you.

How frequently do I need to come in to counseling?
You and your counselor will decide at your initial session what the best plan is for how often you need to come in. Most clients come in on a weekly basis, but if all you can do is once a month or every other week then we will work around your schedule. I like to meet my clients where they are at and know that time and finances can be an issue.

What is Christian Counseling?
Christian Counseling is distinctive in that its foundation is the Word of God.  It signifies that the counselor comes from a Biblical perspective and all counsel will be in line with Scripture and Christian theology.  Furthermore, sessions will not implement non-traditional forms of counseling techniques.  The Bible gives us wisdom about who we are, who God is, and how we are designed to relate to God, each other and creation. It also gives us insight into the core problems of the human soul.

Do I have to be a Christian to receive counseling from you?
No!  While I am a Christian and my counsel comes from a distinctly Biblical worldview I am very experienced in counseling people from a variety of religious and non-religious backgrounds, and I enjoy the diversity.  Furthermore, I hold a license granted by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, so I am qualified to help with a full range of issues as outlined by the state.

Why should I choose Christian Counseling?
In addition to psychological principles, Christian Counseling offers the power and hope that are rooted in God’s Word.  It provides a Biblical perspective to the challenges of daily life that at times appear too unbearable to face alone.

Will you force your values and beliefs on me?
While my faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior is an integral part my life and therefore my counsel, I will never force my values and beliefs on any client.  Furthermore, I believe that coming to God is a personal choice that rests between you and your Creator, so I could not impose any beliefs on anyone.

Does counseling work?
Counseling begins with you and your willingness to work on the issue at hand.  Counseling is hard work and often emotionally draining. However, if you commit to investing yourself, Brittany will be completely on your team and in the journey to healing with you.

What happens during a counseling session?
I utilize traditional talk therapy in session. We work together as a team to understand the issues, establish goals and confront the issues so that you experience true healing and freedom in an abundant life that God intended you to have.

What is your counseling approach?
I have a very holistic view of man, so my approach to counseling takes into account the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of a person.

What is the counseling process?
The counseling process progresses through various stages.  You can expect that you will initially be talking about the problem that brought you to counseling as well as your background.  The next step is to set reasonable and manageable goals followed by actively working on them.  When you are at a point where you have met those goals and are functioning more independently and healthily, then termination is the next step.  Ideally, termination will occur when both you and I think it is the right time.  Sometimes it may be necessary to revisit these stages as counseling unfolds.

Are our sessions confidential?
All sessions are kept confidential from any third party unless state law dictates otherwise. During the first session the limits of confidentiality will be clearly explained.

If my spouse or child is unwilling to come to counseling what should I do?
Come anyway. While one party may be hesitant or uninterested in counseling, there are many issues we can work on together which will benefit the relationship. Hopefully the growth that they see in you will intrigue them so that they will join us.

Where is your office and at what times do you see people?
My office is located in Plano at the northeast corner of Custer Road and Plano Pkwy just one block north of George Bush.  You can find the physical address and directions by clicking here.  I see clients by appointment Monday-Friday during the day and have a limited amount of evening appointment times available for those in need.

Do you take insurance?
I do take insurance and file claims for my clients with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and Humana. Please email me to request an Insurance Verification form so I can check on your benefits for you. While I am unfortunately unable to submit claims to other insurance companies, I provide medically coded receipts for clients who wish to file for reimbursement themselves. I apologize for this inconvenience, but please check with your insurance carrier for details about your specific coverage for out of network providers.

When should we come for marriage counseling, and is it ever too late?
Most couples could benefit from improving their communication skills, working through unresolved issues, or gaining a better understanding of each other.  Although the earlier they come in the better, I believe it is never too late for struggling couples to come to counseling if they are willing to do the hard work of really working through their issues.  Marriage counseling is not an immediate fix, though.  It is a process that takes time and effort if you really want to re-establish your relationship and intimacy, but I would love to join you in the process.

Can marriage counseling really help?
Yes!  Marriage counseling can provide an avenue of change for your relationship.   Relying on God’s power and having a professional counselor involved in your relationship will greatly change your dynamics if you are willing to do the work.

Are you a counselor that just sits there and listens?
While listening and truly hearing the client and getting to the underlying issue is very important, I also take a direct role in counseling.  I am there to listen and provide direction, reflection, and wisdom.  I will always give you a chance to share what is on your heart, but I will also be an active participant in your sessions.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, Brittany offers Biblical hope and solutions to individuals, couples, youth, and families.  At Hope & Wellness Counseling, we desire to be a valuable resource and refuge for our entire community.  Confidential counseling is provided to anyone seeking counseling for emotional, relational, or situational issues.

We offer the following professional counseling services:

Individual Counseling	Marriage Counseling
Youth Counseling	Family Counseling
Pre-Martial Counseling	Christian Counseling

Brittany brings a depth of expertise in helping people with a wide variety of issues, including:

Depressions	Premarital Counseling
Anxiety	Identity/sense of self issues
Bipolar Disorder	Codependency
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder	Eating/body image disorders
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder	Anger/stress management
Grief and loss	Panic attacks
Marriage/relationship issues	Phobias
Parenting issues	Women’s issues
Child/adolescent issues	Blended family issues
Sexual/physical abuse	Divorce adjustment
Substance/behavioral addiction	Spiritual issues
Behavior/adjustment issues with children/adolescents	Low Self-Esteem
Family therapy	Physical & Emotional Abuse
Work-related Stress	Divorce Recovery