Frequently Asked Questions
Therapy can be helpful for anyone experiencing emotional, behavioral, or relational challenges, or for those simply seeking personal growth and support. If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, depressed, struggling with relationships, or navigating life transitions, therapy can provide a safe space to explore your thoughts and develop coping strategies. Even if you’re unsure, reviewing the various sections of our website or scheduling an initial session can help you determine whether therapy is a good fit for your needs.
Our central office staff is happy to answer your questions, help you find a therapist who meets your needs, schedule upcoming appointments, and assist with insurance and billing questions. Give us a call today or complete our contact form.
To learn more about our team of clinical mental health professionals, click the Meet our Therapists button below to browse each therapist’s profile.
Our team of therapists is uniquely gifted and well-trained. Choosing the right therapist is a personal process, and it is important to find a clinical mental health professional that you feel comfortable with and can trust.
We encourage you to browse our therapist profiles to learn more about each therapist and search for practitioners based on location and/or areas of focus. If you have questions or need help, our central office team is ready to assist you.
Telemental health allows you to receive high-quality, confidential care from the comfort of your home. It increases access to care for individuals in rural or underserved areas, improves accessibility for those with physical limitations, and allows sessions to continue when in-person visits are not possible.
Telemental health provides flexibility and convenience for many clients. If you schedule a telemental health session, you will receive the same level of care through our HIPAA-compliant platform as you do in person.
Fill Out Forms
Before your first appointment, you’ll need to complete some intake forms to help your therapist understand your history, needs, and goals. Completing these forms ahead of time ensures your session can focus on care rather than paperwork. You can fill out these forms in the Client Portal.
Review Payment Info
If you are using insurance, we encourage you to contact your insurance company to confirm your mental health benefits, including your deductible, copayment, coinsurance, and any applicable requirements. We also encourage you to confirm whether your therapist participates in your insurance plan’s network. If not using insurance, you may contact us to discuss self-pay options. Addressing these details helps prevent surprises and ensures a smooth start to your care.
Come Prepared
To make the most of your session, come prepared with any questions, concerns, or goals you’d like to discuss. If applicable, bring relevant documents, previous assessments, or notes that can help your therapist better understand your needs. Being prepared ensures that you get the most out of your time.
Initial sessions are scheduled for 60 minutes. Follow-up sessions are typically 45 to 60 minutes in length. You can talk with your therapist about a plan for your continued care.
The cost of therapy varies depending on session type, length, and insurance coverage. Clients using insurance or Medicare to pay for care are responsible for any applicable co-pays, co-insurance, or deductibles under your plan. Our central office team can help address any insurance-related questions you may have.
For clients not using insurance to pay for their care, we offer self-pay options. We have sliding-fee options available to help ensure that no one is turned away due to an inability to pay. Those who are uninsured or underinsured will pay a fee for each session. Please contact our central office team for details.
Fees for group and family sessions, testing and assessments, or court-related work may differ and are available upon request.
We’re here to help and answer any questions you may have. Whether you’re looking to schedule an appointment, learn more about our services, or need guidance on insurance and payment, our team is ready to assist you. Reach out by phone, email, or through our online form, and we’ll respond promptly to support your mental health needs.
Sioux Falls Psychological Services
Augustana Student Counseling
(605) 334-2696
[email protected]
Stronghold Counseling Services
in Sioux Falls and Yankton, SD
Augustana Student Counseling
(605) 334-7713
[email protected]
Please bring an insurance card and registration paperwork with you if you have not completed the online check-in. If your paperwork is not complete, please arrive 15 minutes early for your in-person appointment.
For Telemental Health sessions, all paperwork must be done online.
To fill out your paperwork online, please visit the Client Portal.
The number of sessions needed varies depending on your goals and needs. Your therapist will work with you to create a plan that fits your needs and meets your goals.
We understand that life can be unpredictable. To honor our commitment to all clients and maintain appointment availability, we ask that you notify us at least 24 hours in advance if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment.
Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice, as well as missed appointments (no-shows), may incur a $50 fee. This policy allows us enough time to offer the appointment to another individual who may be waiting for services.
Please contact us with questions on cancellations:
Sioux Falls Psychological Services
Augustana Student Counseling Locations
(605) 334-2696
[email protected]
Stronghold Counseling Services
Sioux Falls and Stronghold Yankton Locations
(605) 334-7713
[email protected]
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, contact 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), call 911, or go to your nearest emergency room.