Associates In Mental Health SC FAQ

Although our business office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., some appointments may be scheduled as early as 8:00 a.m. Evening hours and Saturday morning appointments are also available on a limited basis.

We do have one therapist, Christopher Holly, MSW, LCSW who is fluent in Spanish.

All of our psychiatrists are certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

A psychiatrist is a licensed physician who has completed medical school just like a family doctor, surgeon, or another medical doctor. In addition, a psychiatrist completes four years of specialized training after medical school focusing on psychiatry but also including other medical disciplines such as neurology and internal medicine. A psychiatrist also receives extensive training in psychotherapy during residency training. As a physician with a special expertise in the use of medications that can affect mood and other mental health issues, a psychiatrist can write prescriptions while other types of mental health providers cannot.

A Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is a licensed individual authorized in the State of Illinois to practice independently and provide evaluation, treatment, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders. Training for an LCSW involves completion of a Master’s level degree in Social Work from an accredited program that consists of knowledge in theoretical structures including but not limited to psycho social development, behavior, psychopathology, unconscious motivation, interpersonal relationships and environmental stress. In addition, all LCSW’s have passed the Illinois licensing exam as well as 3000 hours of clinical work with individuals, families, couples, and groups under the direct supervision of another LCSW. Services provided by LCSWs are reimbursed by Medicare and managed healthcare networks. LCSWs are not eligible for reimbursement through the State of Illinois Medicaid program. Additionally, LCSWs are not eligible to prescribe medications.

A Licensed Clinical Professional Therapist is a licensed individual authorized in the State of Illinois to practice independently and provide evaluation, treatment, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders. Training includes completion of four years of college to attain their Bachelor’s degree followed by two more years to attain a Master’s Level Degree. Their training focuses on abnormal psychology, psychotherapy techniques and interventions, advanced statistics, and assessment and diagnosis. Upon completion of the coursework, a 400-hour internship that is directly supervised by a Ph.D. is required in an area of specialization. Upon graduation from the master’s program, an LCPC is to complete two years post-master’s full-time employment within the field of psychology again under the direct supervision of a licensed practitioner prior to being eligible to sit for the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination. Upon successfully completing the exam, the individual is eligible for an LCPC license. Although current legislation does not allow reimbursement to an LCPC under the Medicare or Medicaid programs, it is currently being reviewed. LCPCs are covered within most managed healthcare provider networks. Additionally, LCCs are not eligible to prescribe medications.

You can make an appointment with any of our providers by calling our office at 309-637-4266 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Our office staff will require some basic information and will assist you with scheduling an appointment.

Please arrive 15 minutes early for your first appointment. At that time you will be asked to complete the initial paperwork. This paperwork may be found on this website so that you may complete it prior to your arrival. You will also need to bring your insurance card and a picture ID to the first appointment. During your first appointment, the provider will complete an initial evaluation and make treatment recommendations. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have about the recommended course of treatment.

• To set and keep appointments with your provider.
• To provide your psychiatrist or therapist with honest, appropriate, and accurate information that is necessary to deliver quality mental health services.
• To assume responsibility for yourself in the therapy process, and to work in a cooperative manner to accomplish goals.
• To ask questions and be willing to consider new options for behavior.
• To keep your psychiatrist or therapist informed about changes or progress that
• may have an impact on your mental health care.

The information you disclose to your psychiatrist or therapist is protected by confidentiality laws. This means your provider is legally prohibited from revealing any information to outside individuals or agencies (including the fact that you are in therapy) except in exceptional circumstances where the law mandates otherwise. An example of this would be an immediate issue of safety to yourself or others. To ensure your privacy, we maintain confidentiality in accordance with the Illinois Mental Health Code, and the Federal HIPPA laws. If you have questions, please contact your therapist. If disclosure of the information is clinically necessary, you will be asked to sign a disclosure form prior to the release of any information. For more information on office confidentiality, please refer to our HIPPA Privacy Policy

If the call is not of an urgent nature, please call our office number (309) 637-4266 during regular business hours. If the need is urgent, please go to the nearest Emergency Department.

Please call our office as soon as possible to report your cancellation and to reschedule your appointment. You may be charged a full office fee for any late-notice cancellation or missed appointments.

Please check your medications regularly. When you need a prescription refill, please contact your pharmacy and have them fax the refill request to 309-637-9836. Please note that in certain circumstances an appointment may be required prior to refilling your prescription. Prescriptions will not be filled on weekends except in extraordinary circumstances.

Yes, we accept and as a courtesy will bill your insurance. Although we participate as a provider in many managed care plans, please contact your managed care company for verification of our participation in your particular plan. You are welcome to contact our office at 309-637-4266 to inquire. Payment of any deductible or copay amount is expected at the time of service. We accept cash, check, debit or credit card payments.

Yes, we do.

If you do not have healthcare insurance, payment is expected prior to or at the time of service. We do accept cash, check, debit or credit card for payment.

Unfortunately, some people drop out of therapy prematurely and do not receive the full benefit of treatment. If you are considering dropping out of therapy, we recommend you make one more appointment to discuss your concerns with your therapist. This may be your moment of greatest personal growth, and your therapist can assist in getting you back on track.

Yes, we offer HIPAA compliant telehealth appointments.