Frequently Asked Questions

There are several levels of therapist in serving in our office.  We have a psychologist and two licensed masters level counselors.  All of our providers are licensed by the state and experienced in multiple areas of treatment (see their personal bios for further information).  Ms. Rainey is a psychometrician and experienced in administering psychological tests for our clients.

 In Idaho, a psychologist must have a doctorate degree in psychology (or closely related doctoral degree). Psychologists are trained in the practice of psychotherapy or counseling. In addition, they are specialists in the scientific evaluation of clinical data. They are also trained to both use and understand specialized tests for psychological measurement and testing, such as I.Q. tests or personality inventories. Psychologists try to understand human behavior in an integrated, multi-dimensional fashion.  Social workers and licensed counselors are qualified to provide counseling and therapeutic treatment.  

Therapy and counseling are sought for numerous reasons: an immediate problem, mandate from a government agency, personal self-exploration, among others. Usually this question is asked when someone feels they already need some kind of help, but aren't sure if their problems are either normal, will go away, or are capable of self-solution. People often will live with a lot of pain before they seek help from someone. Going to see a therapist is a sign of personal strength and wisdom, a recognition of the importance you give to yourself and your well-being. The stigma of seeking psychological help is unfortunately part of what we are typically taught in this society, but in therapy you will find acceptance, as well as, hopefully, the help you desire. Of course, you can always try self-evaluation inventories found in numerous magazines or books. There a couple of self gaging quizzes on the Resource Page for Depression and Anxiety.  While these are not conclusive as to a diagnosis, they may be helpful if you are trying to decide whether or not you should seek therapy.  The bottom line is that if you bothered by problems with emotions or behaviors, if your ability (as Freud once noted) to love and/or work are being negatively affected, then you may need some kind of mental health intervention. Millions of people seek or have sought this kind of help, with very positive results.

Choosing a therapist is a very personal decision. Please check out the APA's brochure on this topic, "For a Healthy Mind and Body... Talk to a Psychologist". (You can download it by clicking on the link in the highlighted link.) A therapist should be professional, honest, easy to understand, non-judgmental, and non-punitive. There may be some special quality or characteristic you desire in a therapist. Try to give the new therapy relationship a little time before you make up your mind about whether it's for you or not. Give feedback to your therapist, and see how you feel about the dialogue that ensues. Listen to your feelings. Therapy can be challenging and even at times seem threatening. The quality of the feedback from the therapist, the safety he or she provides, will probably go a long way in helping you decide whether that therapist is right for you or not. (And, by the way, seeing multiple therapists at the same time is not a good way to make the best decision; it is confusing for both client and therapist(s), and interferes with producing the kind of atmosphere and relationship with a professional helper that is conducive to positive change.) 

Currently in the state of Idaho psychologists may not prescribe or manage medications.  If you need medication management you should consult your primary care provider or a licensed psychiatrist. 

Charges vary per the individual therapist (see the Provider Bios).  We do not offer "free" first sessions.  Most people get their maximum benefit from therapy in anything from three to six months of therapy. (See Consumer Reports (1995), "Mental health: Does therapy help?" pp. 734-739). Therapy at a low-fee clinic may be had for as little as $45-$65 an hour -- though often there is a waiting list, or the therapy is with trainees, and there is usually a time limit.  Depending on your needs we can usually see you within 1-3 weeks.
 

While we feel third-party payers, such as insurance companies, can potentially interfere with effective treatment and raise issues around confidentiality, we do accept most insurances for therapy services, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans, Tricare, UHC, Idaho Medicaid, and Medicare (we can take only a limited number of patients for Medicare and Medicaid - call for details), as well as some EAP programs. Different providers accept different insurances and most are preferred providers with the most popular insurance plans. Unfortunately we cannot promise that insurance or HMO policies will reimburse any fees or costs incurred in treatment.  Please read your insurance policy carefully or contact your insurance provider so you know what your benefits do and do not provide.   

We accept cash, check or credit card.  Payment is generally due at the time of your appointment, however we can also take payments over the phone or through the mail.  If you are struggling to make your payments, call our office and we will work with you to develop a payment plan that can fit your budget.  Automatic credit card debiting is available; please inquire.  For psychological testing, the bill must be paid in full prior to the release of the evaluation report. 

Several of our therapists regularly work with couples, both married and not, who are struggling with issues of intimacy, jealousy, commitment, anger, and trust.  Our therapists strive to increase understanding of the couple's relationship patterns, and decrease destructive (but all-too-human) tendencies to focus on blame and guilt and offer a safe, non-judgmental atmosphere.  There is no relationship that is not without its problems and we believe that counseling can positively affect the quality of the relationship.  But, there is no guarantee that couples therapy will heal old wounds or patch up a crumbling relationship. Expectations about the therapy are discussed at the outset. Participants can be expected to be treated as two adults, with respect for the life course and goals of each of the partners. Couples therapy can be very challenging, even an adventure in self-discovery. If you wish to discuss this more, please feel free to contact us. (Be advised, couples/marital counseling is usually not covered by insurance.) 

We provide counseling for a wide range of issues, including: stress management, depression/anxiety counseling, coping strategies, problem-solving skills, self-esteem enhancement, family and relationship counseling, child-adolescent adjustment, child custody evaluations, grief / post-trauma counseling, CBT and DBT, ADD testing, learning disability/IQ testing, autism testing, career planning, emotional regulation, men's/women's issues, medical pre-procedure, competency, and more.  

Call us directly at 208-743-4680 between 9:00 and 4:00 on Monday, Tuesday or Friday. If you leave a message, provide a phone number to reach you at, and a couple of good times you are available to talk (the better to avoid "phone tag"). We will return your call usually within a few hours, at minimum within 72 hours. We have appointment times available days, evenings and occasionally on weekends. 

Yes, we do. Fees for testing are generally higher than for therapy, as this work requires time outside of the testing hour (for scoring, evaluation, writing up results, etc.). Testing is usually done to evaluate mental and emotional functioning, memory, learning disabilities, and personality characteristics. Testing is often required to document certain kinds of disability (e.g. court-ordered evaluations, workers compensation, etc.). 

How much does psychological testing cost?Fees for psychological testing are $175 per hour, and most evaluations are between 6-10 hours.  If your insurance does not cover the cost of part or all of the evaluation, you will be asked to pay the remainder.   A $400 retainer fee is usually requested at the first appointment unless you are covered by Medicaid;  payment plan options are available.  Payment may be made by cash or card for evaluation services. Once all fees for testing have been paid, the report will be sent to the client and to any third-parties you have requested. 

                   **please note our current waitlist is long ~ about 9-12 months out**

Yes.  Before doing a custody evaluation we need a court order naming Dr. Kevin Kracke as the evaluator.  Custody evaluations are significantly longer as they require much more in-depth investigation.  The average custody evaluation would usually cost each parent about $3000-$5000, depending on the number of children and the complexity of the case.  The bill is based on the actual time devoted to the evaluation.  Once all information is received from both parties, evaluations can last two to nine months.  Please remember each case is individual and unique, and we do our best to accommodate every client.  Once the bill has been paid in full, the final report is sent to the individual attorneys and is submitted to the court; no copy is provided to the individuals litigants.