Scranton Counseling Center is a private, nonprofit organization incorporated in 1947. It is an integrated Behavioral Healthcare Delivery System providing services to people of all ages. We endorse the following National Consensus Statement on Mental Health Recovery: "Mental health recovery is a journey of healing and transformation enabling a person with a mental health problem to live a meaningful life in a community of his or her choice while striving to achieve his or her full potential."
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Services Offered
Adult Programs
Acute Services Offered: a full range of diagnostic and treatment services for persons age eighteen and older, who may be experiencing a variety of problems including, but not limited to anxiety, depression, family, or work related issues. Professional therapeutic assistance may include psychological testing, and/or psychiatric evaluation. Various therapeutic treatments are offered.
Long-term Services Offered: comprehensive mental health programs for adults with long-term or persistent mental illness. Services include diagnosis, treatment, outreach and case management and continuity of care for persons discharged from an inpatient unit or transferred from another community agency.
Child and Adolescent Services
Provides diagnostic and treatment services for children and adolescents up to age eighteen who have adjustment or emotional problems including depression, ADD, ADHD, school adjustment, parent/child conflict, eating disorders, fears, anxiety and loss of control. Evaluations include family assessment, psychological testing and psychiatric evaluations. Treatment includes, but is not limited to, individual, family, group and play therapy.
Family Based Mental Health Services Program
A team of trained therapists provide services to children at risk of needing placement out of the home due to serious mental health problems. The services are provided in the home and are family focused. Referrals to the program can be made by any child service agency as well as by the parents.
School-Based Case Management
Early indentification and intervention progam to strengthen educational, family and social network of elementary school children with adaptation problems in the school setting. Advocacy and supportive services are provided. Student Assistance Program (SAP) provides mental health consultation to SAP Teams in secondary schools. Program identifies and assesses students at-risk for drug & alcohol or emotional problems and refers them for appropriate services.
Fees and Payment
At the time of your first appointment, a liability specialist will determine your method of payment and if you are responsible for any out-of-pocket payments.
If you are covered by a participating health insurance plan, you must provide the information and any referral forms that are necessary for insurance reimbursement. Payment of insurance co-pays is expected at the time services are provided.
If you do not have insurance or are unable to pay the normal fees, the liability specialist will review your financial status and establish your fee based on a sliding scale. Payment of fees is expected at the time services are provided.
Your prompt payments will help ensure the continuation of quality care for everyone in our community.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens Children
Payment: Sliding Scale Medicare Medicaid
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Qualifying for assistance from Pennsylvania's program usually depends on the severity of your condition and financial circumstance. Read our full guide to Pennsylvania'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.
