Many people seek coaching after or alongside therapy, as it builds upon the healing that can take place in the therapy process. Coaching and counseling are distinct approaches, each with its own focus and purpose.

Coaching centers on the present, fostering personal and professional growth through self-initiated change to help individuals shape a desired future through action-oriented strategies.

In contrast, counseling is insight-oriented, as it addresses the healing of past and present emotional pain, dysfunction, and conflict within an individual or relationships to enhance overall psychological functioning and promote more emotionally healthy ways of dealing with the present.

Though insights and strategy are parts of both counseling and coaching, they differ in emphasis. Typically, coaching emphasizes “how” to achieve personal and professional goals, while therapy focuses on the “why” of emotional and behavioral challenges.

If you are interested in scheduling a free 30 minute coaching consultation, please click here

Some of our therapists require to meet with just the parents during the first session. This session is an opportunity to discuss presenting concerns, goals for therapy, go over some family, social history and answer any additional questions you may have. We will also talk about how play therapy works. Depending on the needs, we will usually meet with the child individually for the next 3/4 sessions and then again have a parent meeting to discuss concerns, observations and future plans for therapy. BCS strongly believes in the parents’ participation in therapy and will encourage at least one meeting a month as well as family sessions. 

Our fees vary depending on how long the session is:

50 minute sessions – $225

Annual admin fee- $50/individual or family

*These fees are reviewed annually and an increase of $10 per year applies to our rates every January 1st.

All therapy is covered by insurance, coaching is not. For Therapy, we accept all Carefirst Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. We will check your benefits and let you know before our first session. For other insurances, you would pay the full fee at the time of service and we are happy to submit the claims to your insurance or provide you with an invoice that you can submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement. Services may be covered in full or in part by your health insurance. Please check your coverage carefully by asking the following questions:

• Do I have mental health insurance benefits?
• What is my deductible and has it been met?
• How many sessions per year does my health insurance cover?
• What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
• Is approval required from my primary care physician?

Couples and family therapy sessions are typically billed using a relational diagnosis. Many insurance plans do not cover services billed under relational diagnoses, and coverage varies by plan.

As a courtesy, Bethesda Counseling Services will submit claims for couples or family therapy sessions to your insurance carrier when applicable. Submission of a claim does not guarantee reimbursement, and insurance carriers may deny coverage based on diagnosis, plan limitations, or medical necessity criteria.

By participating in couples or family therapy services, you acknowledge and agree that:

• Your insurance may deny coverage for couples or family therapy sessions.

• If your insurance carrier denies payment for any reason, you agree to be financially responsible for the full self-pay fee of $225 per session.

• If insurance reimburses at a rate lower than the practice’s fee, you are responsible for the remaining balance.

• Any unpaid balance will be charged to the payment method on file once insurance processing is completed.

You understand that insurance benefit determinations are made solely by your insurance carrier and are not controlled by Bethesda Counseling Services.

We have morning, afternoon and evening appointments available. We are open from 9 am-9 pm Monday-Friday. We also offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays 

To make an appointment please email us at admin@bethesdacounselingservices.com or fill out our Intake Form (Appointment Request) and Michelle our intake coordinator will contact you within 48 hours. 

You can always call your therapist to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Our office policy is that all cancellations and reschedules must be 24 hours before the scheduled appointment to avoid a fee. Late cancellations and no shows have a $150 fee that is charged to the client. Insurance cannot be charged for this fee. 

Yes! We're currently offering reduced fees for all couples sessions. Reach out to our team to learn more. 

Our psychiatric nurse practitioner (PMHNP) provides evaluations, prescriptions, and follow-up care. They work closely with your therapist and other healthcare providers to ensure your treatment plan is coordinated and personalized. 

At BCS, we believe the best outcomes come from combining therapy with medication when appropriate. Medication alone is rarely enough—our providers will collaborate with your therapist to support both your emotional and biological needs. 

The initial psychiatric evaluation typically lasts 60 minutes. During this time, your provider will review your medical history, current concerns, past treatment, and goals. They may recommend starting, continuing, or adjusting medication, and will also discuss non-medication options. 

Follow-ups are usually 20 minutes. These sessions focus on monitoring how you are responding to medication, adjusting dosages if needed, and addressing any side effects. 

Yes. We offer medication management services across the lifespan. Our provider is experienced in working with children, adolescents, and adults and tailor treatment to each age group. 

We commonly prescribe and monitor medication for:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• ADHD
• Mood disorders
• Trauma/PTSD
• Sleep difficulties
• Other psychiatric concerns as clinically appropriate

Yes, when clinically indicated and appropriate. Controlled substances require closer monitoring and may involve additional paperwork, prescription refill limits, and compliance with federal/state regulations. 

Yes. With your written consent, we strongly encourage collaboration between your prescriber, therapist, and any other healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive care. 

Yes, we accept Carefirst BCBS. Coverage varies by provider and plan, so we encourage you to confirm with your insurance company. Our billing team can also help you understand your benefits. 

This depends on your needs and response to medication. Typically, new prescriptions require follow-ups every 2–4 weeks until stabilized. Once stable, appointments may occur every 1–3 months. 

We encourage you to contact your prescriber as soon as possible. Many side effects improve over time or can be addressed with dosage adjustments or medication changes. 

You can email us at contact@bethesdacounselingservices.com or fill out our intake. Our intake team will help you set up an initial evaluation. 

For children, parents or guardians are involved throughout the process. For adults, the individual being evaluated participates directly. We may also ask teachers or other providers to complete questionnaires when relevant. 

Our evaluation process is thorough and occurs in several steps: 

1. Intake Appointment (Typically Virtual – 1 hour) 

We meet with a parent/guardian or the adult client to gather background information, understand concerns, and determine the most appropriate testing plan.

2. Rating Forms (~1 week, depending on completion)

Parents, clients, and/or teachers complete questionnaires. Testing results and report writing cannot begin until all forms are returned. 

3. Testing Sessions (In Person – 2 to 6 hours total) 

The individual being evaluated completes a series of tasks assessing areas such as: 

• Cognitive abilities 
• Academic skills 
• Attention and executive functioning 
• Memory
• Emotional functioning 

Sessions may be split depending on age: 

• Ages 5–12: typically 1–2 hours per session 
• Ages 12+: typically 2–3 hours per session 

4. Scoring & Interpretation 

The psychologist scores and analyzes all data, integrates findings, and develops a diagnostic understanding. 

n some cases, brief follow-up testing may be needed if results are unclear. 

5. Report Writing (Up to 2 weeks) 

Once all testing and forms are complete, the psychologist prepares a comprehensive report that includes: 

• Results and findings 
• Diagnoses (if applicable) 
• Personalized recommendations

6. Feedback Session (Typically Virtual – 1 hour) 

We review the results with you, explain any diagnoses, and discuss next steps. You will receive the full report through the client portal or secure email.

The full process typically takes 2–4 weeks, depending on how quickly forms are completed and scheduling availability. 

Psychological testing can help clarify: 

• ADHD and attention concerns 
• Learning differences (reading, writing, math) 
• Executive functioning challenges 
• Anxiety and mood concerns 
• Behavioral or emotional difficulties

Not always. Some evaluations result in a clear diagnosis, while others may identify strengths, challenges, or patterns that do not meet criteria for a formal diagnosis. 

You will receive:

• A detailed written report 
• Clear explanations of results 
• Practical recommendations for home, school, or work
• Guidance on next steps (therapy, school supports, accommodations, etc.)

Sometimes, but not always. Testing is often broken into shorter sessions to ensure accuracy and reduce fatigue—especially for children. 

In some cases, the psychologist may recommend a brief follow-up session if initial results are inconclusive. 

With your consent, we can coordinate with schools, therapists, or other providers to support implementation of recommendations. 

Yes, we are in-network with CareFirst/BCBS. We will submit claims to your insurance on your behalf. 

Not always. Insurance companies determine coverage based on medical necessity and diagnosis. Even when we are in-network, coverage is not guaranteed. 

Coverage depends on several factors, including: 

• Your specific insurance plan 
• The reason for the evaluation 
• Whether the testing is considered medically necessar
• Whether a diagnosable condition is identified

If the evaluation does not result in a diagnosable condition, your insurance may deny coverage, and you would be responsible for the cost of the evaluation. 

If your insurance does not cover part or all of the testing, the remaining balance becomes your financial responsibility. 

We can help verify your benefits and provide an estimate, but this is not a guarantee of payment. Final coverage decisions are made by your insurance company after the claim is processed. 

Common reasons include: 

• The evaluation is considered educational rather than medical
• Lack of sufficient medical necessity 
• No qualifying diagnosis 
• Plan-specific exclusions

Depending on your plan, you may be responsible for: 

• Deductible 
• Co-insurance 
• Any non-covered services

Yes. If you prefer not to use insurance or if services are not covered, we can provide a self-pay rate for testing. 

Yes. Regardless of insurance coverage, you will receive a comprehensive report and feedback session. 

For many families, the answer is yes.

Psychological testing provides a comprehensive understanding of how a child or adult thinks, learns, and experiences the world—something that brief screenings or therapy alone often cannot fully capture.

Even when insurance does not cover the evaluation, families often find it valuable because it can:

Clarify what’s really going on 
(e.g., ADHD vs. anxiety vs. learning differences)

Provide clear direction for treatment 
Helping therapists, psychiatrists, and schools know exactly how to support you or your child 

Support school accommodations 
Such as IEPs or 504 Plans, when appropriate 

Reduce trial-and-error 
Saving time, frustration, and potentially the cost of ineffective interventions 

Offer peace of mind 
Whether a diagnosis is identified or not, families leave with a clearer roadmap

Psychological testing is an investment in understanding, not just a diagnosis.It helps answer the “why” behind challenges—and more importantly, what to do next.

At Bethesda Counseling Services, our goal is to provide clear, practical, and meaningful recommendations that you can actually use in everyday life—at home, at school, and in treatment.