KLF Counseling and Consulting, PA        

KLF Counseling and Consulting, PA provides individual, family, couple, and group services to residents of the Coastal areas of South Carolina.  Located conveniently off of By-Pass 17, Murrells Inlet, SC, the office is private, confidential, with easy access for clients and their families.

Additionally, KLF Counseling & Consulting, PA provides EAP services through several contracted companies, such as Magellan, CIGNA, United Behavioral Health, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and others. 

Assessment services are available to clients and/or physicians should there be need for knowledge regarding what disorders may be affecting their clients and/or to determine the severity of issues impacting the day to day lives of their patient. 

Patients of local physicians may contact the therapist for same day services, should there be need for prompt assessment.  Clients are seen by appointment during day and/or evening hours. 

Other services, new to the Coastal area, will be announced July-August, 2009; return to this site often to learn more!

For more information about the Licensed Professional Counselor, see the resources from AMHCA:

WHAT IS A MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR (FROM AMHCA)

FACTS:

• According to the report, "Mental Health, United States, 2004" published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), more than 96,000 professional counselors are licensed or certified for independent practice in the United States.
• The majority of national behavioral health managed care companies reimburse mental health counselors for services they provide.
• The median cost per session for mental health counselors is $63, compared to a median cost of $100 for psychologists, and $65 for clinical social workers and marriage and family therapists, according to the January 2006 issue of Psychotherapy Finances.
• Forty-nine states and the District of Columbia license or certify mental health counselors for private practice.
• Mental health counselors adhere to a rigorous code of ethics.

Mental health counseling is a distinct profession with national standards for education, training and clinical practice. The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) is the professional membership organization that represents the mental health counseling profession. Clinical membership in AMHCA requires a master's degree in counseling or a closely related mental health field and adherence to AMHCA's National Standards for Clinical Practice.

Graduate education and clinical training prepare mental health counselors to provide a full range of services for individuals, couples, families, adolescents and children. The core areas of mental health programs approved by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs include:

• Diagnosis and psychopathology
• Psychotherapy
• Psychological testing and assessment
• Professional orientation
• Research and program evaluation
• Group counseling
• Human growth and development
• Counseling theory
• Social and cultural foundations
• Lifestyle and career development
• Supervised practicum and internship

Licensure requirements for mental health counselors are equivalent to those for clinical social workers and marriage and family therapists - two other disciplines that require a master's degree for independent status.

A licensed mental health counselor has met or exceeded the following professional qualifications:

• Earned a master's degree in counseling or a closely related mental health discipline;
• Completed a minimum of two years post master's clinical work under the supervision of a licensed or certified mental health professional; and
• Passed a state-developed or national licensure or certification examination.

Mental health counselors practice in a variety of settings, including independent practice, community agencies, managed behavioral health care organizations, integrated delivery systems, hospitals, employee assistance programs and substance abuse treatment centers. Mental health counselors are highly skilled professionals who provide a full range of services including:

• Assessment and diagnosis
• Psychotherapy
• Treatment planning and utilization review
• Brief and solution-focused therapy
• Alcoholism and substance abuse treatment
• Psychoeducational and prevention programs
• Crisis management

In today's managed care environment, mental health counselors are uniquely qualified to meet the challenges of providing high quality care in a cost-effective manner. Mental health counselors provide flexible, consumer-oriented therapy. They combine traditional psychotherapy with a practical problem solving approach that creates a dynamic and efficient path for change and problem resolution.

Why Use A Mental Health Counselor; Code of Ethics

KLF Counseling and Consulting, PA provides individual, group, training, seminars, and referral services to patients, clients, medical/mental health/legal/education professionals, and other business desiring assistance with employees or employee related issues.

Mental health services are provided by contracting with an insurance provider, personal payment, or credit/debit charge accounts. 

Consultant and/or training rates are provided on an hourly, agreed to and contracted rate set by KLF Counseling and Consulting, PA.

Triple P Group and Individual Parenting Education Experiences are contracted through referral sources with the possibility of payment being made by the individual's health/mental health insurance benefit plan.  If payment is not available by insurance, then personal payment is required.

KLF Counseling and Consulting, PA has a set fee schedule, yet if an individual's insurance plan is billed for services rendered, the necessary adjustments will be made to meet the requirements of the contracted rate.  If our practice does not contract with a certain insurance plan, then the client will be provided the opportunity to have their claim form given to them for their own biling purposes.

Recent clients have reported they are seen on time in the practice; have easy access to the office; and believe they and/or their families have received quality services in a confidential, private setting.

Clients have also reported being seen within a very short time of their call, yet in a crisis situation, have been seen on a same day request.  Certain insurance providers, for which Ms. Fortner is contracted, have same day appointments for crisis situation.