Whether this is your first time in therapy or your first time with us at By Your Side Counseling Services, LLC you will be welcomed with open arms and an open mind. Our first meeting will be about getting to know your needs and what brought you here, your goals for therapy, and expectations from us. We will design a plan that fits your needs. Each person is uniquely different, and therefore therapy is never a one size fits all!

Please contact us for a free 15 minute consultation to see if we are a good therapeutic match for your counseling needs. We want each client to have the best care possible. If our therapeutic approach and expertise does not align with your needs, we will help refer you to a therapist who does!

Finding the right therapist for yourself can be overwhelming so let us first start by saying, we are proud of you for taking the first step of researching your options. Here are a few starter questions that could indicate that By Your Side Counseling Services, LLC may have the right provider for you. Do you answer "yes" to any of the following:

-I am feeling burned out at work, home, or in personal relationships.

-I am going through a big/major life transition or change of some kind.

-My mind and thoughts are racing/making it difficult to focus.

-I am having difficulty sleeping or concerns with my sleep.

-I feel doubtful or lack confidence in myself/abilities.

-I am lacking interest in things I used to enjoy/look forward to.

-I find myself constantly thinking of the worst-case-scenario or what-if scenarios.

-I have low or no motivation.

-I would like to have better ways to cope with life’s stressors.

-I am having a hard time connecting or communicating in relationships.

-I am feeling irritable, short-tempered, or having a hard time being patient/caring toward others.

-I have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event.

-I struggle with negative thoughts about myself, others, or the world.

-I wish I had someone in my life who just “gets" me and is there to listen.

If so, you are not alone, and therapy could be a major benefit in your life. Let us be by your side. Let’s talk about counseling options to fit your needs!

These terms are often interchangeable and can be easily misunderstood! Here at By Your Side Counseling Services, LLC, our current providers are masters-level licensed clinical professional counselors (LCPC) who specialize in unique niche areas.

During your initial phone consult or initial evaluation, you and your provider can determine whether telehealth or in-person sessions are a better fit! For telehealth sessions, your counselor will help you with instructions on how to access our secure HIPAA compliant platform. For in-person sessions, our office is located in Frederick, Maryland

We offer a free 15 minute consultation to determine if By Your Side Counseling Services, LLC will be a good therapeutic match for you! We will provide additional resources if we believe you would be better matched with a different provider.

This answer will be unique for each client! Your counselor at By Your Side Counseling Services, LLC will provide feedback and recommendations for treatment modality and frequency after your initial evaluation. Feel free to contact us for a free 15 minute consultation to discuss further!

Confidentiality is an important aspect of counseling. This means that under normal circumstances no one outside By Your Side Counseling Services, LLC is given any information — even the fact that you have been here — without your expressed written consent. Our primary goal is to provide you with a safe environment in which you feel comfortable to discuss your concerns.

By Your Side Counseling Services, LLC staff members follow the professional, legal and ethical guidelines of the American Psychological Association and the state of Maryland. As a part of our service provision, we are required to maintain confidential records of all counseling sessions.

Please be aware that there are certain circumstances in which therapists are required to breach confidentiality without a client's permission. Therapists are mandated to report certain information in which there is the possibility of harm to a client or to another person, in cases of child or elder abuse, or under court order. Your therapist will explain these situations to you in your first meeting.

Your counselor wants you to see safe and heard. Your counselor may explore difficulties with communication during the initial evaluation and continue to build rapport. Ultimately, what you discuss in your sessions is up to you as the client!

During your initial phone consult or initial evaluation, you and your provider can determine whether telehealth or in-person sessions are a better fit! For telehealth sessions, your counselor will help you with instructions on how to access our secure HIPAA compliant platform.

By Your Side Counseling Services, LLC is currently an out-of-network, fee-for-service practice. This means that you as the client will pay upfront for your therapy session and if you choose to seek reimbursement from your insurance company, we will provide a monthly Superbill for you to submit to your insurance company.

We recommend checking with your insurance company first regarding your benefits for an out-of-network provider. Check out our “Fees” page for more information on the advantages of self-pay!

We’re an out-of-network, fee-for-service practice, so here’s how you check if you’re eligible for insurance reimbursement.

1. Contact Your Insurance Company – Find their phone number on your insurance card.

2. Find Out If You Have Out-Of-Network Benefits – Ask if your plan includes out-of-network benefits for mental health care.

3. Find Out If You Have a Deductible Before Coverage Starts – Ask what your out-of-network mental health services deductible is and what amount you’ll have to pay out of pocket before your policy starts to reimburse you.

4. Find Out How Much Your Plan Will Reimburse – Ask your policy’s maximum allowed amount for the mental health service code 90837 and what percentage your policy pays. Ask them for that percentage for a psychologist and master level therapist (social worker, professional counselor, etc.).

5. Use This Information To Understand What Therapy Will Cost You – The percent of the maximum allowed is what you’d receive as a reimbursement after you have met your deductible for the year.

PLEASE NOTE THAT HMO, TRICARE, MEDICARE, AND MEDICAID COVERAGE DO NOT REIMBURSE FOR OUT-OF-NETWORK MENTAL HEALTH COSTS.

By Your Side Counseling Services, LLC is currently open to new clients! (Children, teens, adults, families, couples). There is no current wait list! Send us an inquiry on our “Contact” page today!

At By Your Side Counseling Services, LLC, we provide outpatient mental health care. Our providers are not available for crisis care or after-hours emergencies.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis and you need help, you can contact any of the following crisis hotlines. If you or another person is in immediate danger, you should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Visit our Crisis Resources tab for additional local and nationwide resources.

Our no-show policy is as follows: If you cancel your appointment with less than 48 hours notice, you will be charged the full rate of the session to the credit card on file.