What are The Summit’s hours of operation? When is The Summit open?

As a counseling center, The Summit maintains regular hours of operation from 8:30 AM until 7:00 PM Monday through Thursday, and 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM on Fridays. However, please keep in mind that therapist schedules are based on their own scheduling and are variable. Some therapists see clients as early as 7:30 AM. Other therapists may see clients as late as a beginning time of 7:00 PM. These exceptions to the schedule are made by appointment and are subject to therapist availability. These times may not be available every day or on a regular basis.

What is the procedure for scheduling an appointment?

To schedule a confidential appointment, simply contact our friendly, front office staff at (678)893-5300 during normal business hours* to schedule an appointment. Our office staff will take down some basic information (name, contact numbers, type of issue you would like to discuss with a counselor) and will help you to schedule an initial appointment. * “Normal business hours” for The Summit are 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM on Monday through Thursday, and 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM on Fridays.

How long does each appointment last?

Our typical appointment lasts for 50 minutes. We are able to see people for a longer amount of time if the therapist agrees the time is needed. We typically do not schedule for a shorter period of time than 50 minutes (unless you are scheduling a progress check-in with the college counselor, Leigh Anne Spraetz).

What are your standard rates for therapy?

Our standard rate for therapy is $120 for a 50-minute session, payable at the time of service. If you would like to file your insurance, The Summit provides all necessary paperwork to file for out of network benefits with your insurance company. We have Client Assistance Funds available to assist with the cost of therapy for those who may not be able to afford the entire cost of therapy out-of-pocket. Click here to learn more about our Client Assistance Funds. * There is an additional “one time” $20 administrative charge for a first appointment. ** Other specialized services may be provided at specialized rates rather than the standard rate. Our front office staff will gladly answer any questions you may have about specialized services and rates.

Does The Summit offer reduced rates or assistance with the cost of therapy?

Yes, through the efforts of our Board and the generosity of our donors, The Summit maintains the Client Assistance Fund (CAF). CAF funds are available to clients who are willing to provide proof of their limited income (via paycheck stubs, W-2s or tax returns). Clients who provide this information can qualify for a subsidy which will reduce their out-of-pocket fee to between $40 and $95, based on their annual family income.  Click here to learn more about our Client Assistance Fund.

Does The Summit accept my insurance or file insurance on my behalf?

As a rule, The Summit does not accept any insurance. We are not on any Managed Care plans, despite what your plan may tell you. We do not file any insurance. However, the services provided at The Summit are often covered by insurance. Your insurance plan may reimburse you for our services if your plan allows for “out of network” coverage of mental health, behavioral health, or substance abuse services. To qualify for reimbursement, you must pay the full private fee rate and you will be provided with a complete statement of services and charges for each session to submit to your insurance company. The Summit cannot guarantee that any insurance company will or will not cover our services.

Can I schedule an appointment for a friend, family member, or co-worker?

No. Our office staff will be glad to discuss any concerns regarding your friend, family member, or co-worker, including their needs or appointment times available. However, the person you are concerned about will have to call in and make his or her own appointment.

Can I bring my child/children to my appointment?

The presence of a child or children in therapy sessions

We have found that the presence of a child during a therapy session (when the child is not a client) is very distracting for you and your therapist. Also, it may be disturbing for young children to hear not only the content of what you are saying, but it may also be disturbing for your child to be exposed to your unedited feelings. For these reasons, we recommend not bringing your children to your appointment. However, it is not unusual for people to bring infants and try to manage them in the session.

An unattended child or children in The Summit waiting area

It is against Summit policy for adults to leave a child or children unattended in the waiting room while their parent attends a therapy session. Children who are 12 years old or older may attend to a younger sibling in the waiting room IF the children are well-behaved and do not disturb others. However, if children disturb others, their parent will be contacted in session and asked to attend to them. ** Thank you so much for your help with these issues! These policies are formulated with the best interests of BOTH parents and children in mind!

Can I bring my child/children if they stay in the waiting area?

No. We do not have the staff or facilities to care for unattended children in the waiting area. You may see children briefly unattended in the waiting area if their parent is speaking to a therapist alone for a portion of a child or family session. However, children are not to be left in the waiting area unattended. Children may remain in the waiting area if an older child (12+) or an adult will remain with them and assume responsibility for their care. If the child or children are not well-behaved or if they disturb other clients or our office staff, their parent will be contacted in session and asked to resume responsibility for their care.

Are The Summit’s services available to the entire community?

Yes. While The Summit Counseling Center is a community ministry affiliated with Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church, our services are provided for the entire community. The majority of our clients have no affiliation with Mount Pisgah.

Does The Summit have a confidentiality policy?

Yes.  Confidentiality is extremely important for our work. The majority of our referrals come from satisfied clients who appreciate our commitment to their privacy. Each of our staff or volunteers signs a confidentiality agreement and receives training in maintaining confidentiality. Each of our therapists is bound to maintain confidentiality by their own ethics as well as the requirements of their professional organizations, federal law (including HIPAA), and the laws of the State of Georgia. Our hard copy or paper based records are maintained in areas that have no less than 3 levels of security. Our scheduling and financial software runs on a secure software with multiple levels of password protected security. Confidentiality is a significant value at The Summit and we are proud of our significant efforts to protect the confidentiality and the confidence of our clients.

What forms of payment does The Summit accept?

The Summit requests payment at the time of service. We accept personal or business checks or major credit cards (VISA, MC, AMEX). While we accept cash, we do not maintain cash on the premises and cannot provide change.

Do I need to bring anything with me to my appointment?

• You will save time if you download and complete our first appointment forms to bring with you.
• If you will be requesting Client Assistance Funds, you need to bring proof of income (paycheck stub, W-2, or tax returns).
• If you are on medication of any kind, you should bring a list of the medications with dosage and frequency amounts as well as the prescribing physician’s name and phone number (or bring the bottles).

What are the therapist’s qualifications/credentials?

Each of our therapists has one or more masters or doctoral degrees in a mental health-related discipline and maintains a current license with the State of Georgia. Each therapist also maintains active membership in one or more national profesisional associations representing their discipline. Our therapists are also required to complete substantial continuing education each year to maintain these state and national credentials.

Do you use tools and techniques that are standard within the mental health community?

Yes, we follow recognized standards for treatment within our respective mental health disciplines while integrating a Christian faith perspective.

Which therapist should I schedule my appointment with?

Our office staff can advise you about this since they have received clear instructions from each therapist regarding interests and areas of expertise. The office staff consults with the Executive Director and with each of the therapists in making this decision. You may request a contact from a clinical staff member to help make this decision, however, this will delay scheduling your appointment. We do not “pencil in” appointments or hold appointments.

Do I have to be a member of Mount Pisgah (or any other church for that matter) to come for counseling?

No. While we see a significant number of Mount Pisgah members, the majority of our clients have no affiliation with our primary partnering congregation– Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church.  While we see people affiliated with other churches all over North Metro Atlanta, many of our clients have no formal church affiliation and are not necessarily “people of faith.”  They choose the Summit because of the quality and reputation of our services, and because they seek a respectful, dialogical therapist.

Is there anyone at The Summit who can prescribe medication?

No. Our therapists frequently work to refer clients to a physician if a medication evaluation is needed and we work in conjunction with the physician to monitor the effects of medication. Typically, our clients who may use medication also attend therapy since research has shown that clients who use therapy in addition to any medication have a greater chance of a successful treatment outcome.

Do you see children? How young?

Yes. We do see children for therapy.  Typically, we begin working with children who are verbal (2-4 years of age).  However, we may see an infant with their primary caregiver to assist with parenting or developmental issues.

Does The Summit do premarital counseling? Do I have to get married at Mount Pisgah?

One of the unique services offered by The Summit is premarital counseling. This counseling is required for couples being married at Mount Pisgah. It is also available for couples from the community or from other churches.

Couples can complete premarital counseling in several ways:
Attend a Premarital Education Workshop at The Summit Counseling Center.  This is a one day, six hour workshop offered on a periodic basis by a Summit Therapist.  To find out more about upcoming scheduled dates and costs, contact The Summit.  Couples who complete the workshop receive a certificate of completion that qualifies the couple to receive a discount on their Fulton County marriage license. Couples who are unable to attend the one day workshop may also elect to schedule customized appointments with a Summit Therapist to receive the same information. This is a more expensive option, but it may be more helpful to couples who have difficulty scheduling the workshop.  Couples may also wish to complete a two hour “Prepare and Enrich” questionnaire with a Summit Therapist for added preparation IN ADDITION to the Becoming One Flesh Workshop for more comprehensive marital preparation.

I’m ready!!  How do I schedule an appointment?

Simply contact our helpful, front office staff to be guided through the process!  You can reach them at (678)893-5300.
Thank you for allowing us to serve you!