VIP is an IRS-approved, community nonprofit organization that provides one charitable service: access to private psychotherapy - almost always for no fee. Clients "pay for" their therapy by doing independent volunteer work for a charity, nonprofit or government program. VIP provides access to psychotherapy regardless of someone's ability to pay or insurance coverage. An alternative to insurance-covered psychotherapy, and problems encountered at public clinics, VIP preserves people's privacy to the maximum extent permitted by Connecticut State Law.
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Services Offered
VIP offers access to private "talk" psychotherapy only, with no other therapist involvement in clients' lives and no involvement of third parties. We don't speak to others about VIP clients, and won't provide reports or evaluations to third parties such as lawyers, courts, police, or employers. We maintain this framework so that our clients can honestly discuss and explore difficult and sensitive personal or family matters knowing that their privacy will be maintained.
VIP provides access to licensed psychotherapists who try to help clients understand complications, confusions and problems in their lives, as they get to know them. Clients maintain their independence, maintain control of their lives and remain responsible for their decisions and actions - like any other person. Though we have worked with people who are in difficult circumstances, we are not an emergency service. Psychotherapists associated with VIP do not promise to be available outside of regularly scheduled therapy appointments.
People may also choose family or marital therapy to address problems they believe involve family members. This approach requires the voluntary participation of other family members. If people meet conjointly in family or couples sessions, then all adults attending sessions can contribute to the volunteer work which earns those sessions.
Fees and Payment
Volunteer work is a way to contribute to the community and to therapy. However, a client may choose to pay for part of their therapy if that arrangement suits their circumstances. Currently people have four choices they can always choose from, to earn each session:
1) Do 4 hours of volunteer work 2) combine 3 hours of volunteer work with a $15 payment to VIP 3) combine 2 hours of volunteer work with a $30 payment to VIP 4) combine 1 hour of volunteer work with a $45 payment to VIP.
We don't pressure people toward a payment option. In over 13 years of service, VIP's clients have chosen to pay nothing (and have earned their sessions strictly through volunteer work) in over 95% of their sessions.
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Qualifying for assistance from Connecticut's program usually depends on the severity of your condition and financial circumstance. Read our full guide to Connecticut'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.