Founded in 1967, VIPCare is an interfaith, not-for profit counseling and educational institute, and one of the oldest and leading pastoral counseling centers in the nation.
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Services Offered
Pastoral Counseling Services
Our counseling process begins with several sessions devoted to understanding your problem and its role in your life. In this process, you and your counselor determine what you would like to achieve and what approach to take to fulfill those goals.
Individual Counseling provides the opportunity for an individual to work with a counselor to resolve issues of vital concern to that individual. This can be done on a short-term or long-term basis.
Couple Counseling provides the opportunity for a couple to work with a counselor on relational issues and dynamics, as well as disruptive communication patterns in an effort to improve the quality of the relationship.
Family Counseling provides the opportunity for an entire family to work with a counselor on the family's stress points and disruptive behaviors and communication patterns in an effort to help family members find news ways to help one another.
Group Counseling provides the opportunity for an individual to work with other individuals and a counselor on relational concerns and personal dynamics. Substance Abuse Counseling and Assessment provides consultation to clients, family or anyone concerned about themselves or a loved-one.
Vocational Counseling provides the opportunity for an individual to work with a counselor during a time of vocational transition. A variety of assessments instruments are available to aid in that process.
Executive & Life Counseling is for persons who are in demanding and complex occupations can be helped to have regularly scheduled meetings with an objective coach, who can help them assess work strategies and realize their leadership potential.
Spiritual Direction is for persons wanting to explore and grow in their faith and who are not in crisis, may chose to contract with one of our staff for spiritual direction. This is an opportunity to reflect on one's life and activities intentionally through the eyes and resources of one's faith perspective and to be guided in that process by a spiritual director.
Fees and Payment
Fees at VIPCare are determined in consultation with your counselor during your first appointment, using a sliding fee scale that takes into account gross family income.
If you have outpatient mental health insurance benefits for which the VIPCare staff person you see is covered, insurance claims may be filed through the institute, although reimbursement cannot be guaranteed. You will be responsible for your deductible and co-payments.
Payment in full is expected at each session, including the initial interview. Acceptable forms of payment include: Cash Personal Check VISA MasterCard American Express Discover Debit Card In cases of need, financial aid may be available
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens Children
Special Groups: Faith-Based
Payment: Sliding Scale Medicare Medicaid
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Qualifying for assistance from Virginia's program usually depends on the severity of your condition and financial circumstance. Read our full guide to Virginia's program.
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.