Frequently Asked Questions

45 to 60 minute sessions are a standard time frames to provide adequate therapy or life coaching to a client.  My methodology and approach is pretty straight forward.  Below, I'm going to share my "secret sauce approach" to having an effective time-efficient therapy session (hint: it obviously wont be a secret after I share this information right now... but it technically was before I wrote this on this website).

Having an efficient session includes: 

• 1st - (beginning of session) - query/filter - updates on progress over the past week
• 2nd - (beginning of session) - query/filter - address any "fires" from the past week
• 3rd - (beginning of session) - query/filter - is there anything outside of treatment goals or life coaching goals that the client wants to discuss.  
• 4th - (middle of session) - discuss / review any homework assignments
• 5th - (middle of session) - discuss / review treatment objectives, symptoms of diagnosis, or life coaching goals  
• 6th - (middle of session) - introduce clients to therapy/life tools and techniques!
• 7th - (end of session) - summarize session content if applicable
• 8th - (end of session) - provide homework if applicable
• 9th - (end of session) - ask client how session went, or ways to improve/add/change in session going forward... (yes, I too am improving and growing with you to cater to your needs!)
• 10th - (end of session) - confirm next meeting time if needed

At the discretion of the life coach and the client, there is sometimes a need to go beyond the time in the session.  In these circumstances the life coach may recommend or suggest: 

• Extend the session if time is available (billing will adjust depending on the extended time frame).
• Request to meet with the client more frequently in the same week (for example, meeting twice during the week instead of once).   

Larry's thoughts... "I know your time and actives are important... so are mine!   I When I schedule a session with you I am reserving that time block for you.  My schedule is meticulously mapped out in 15 minutes increment throughout the weekday.   My schedule is also mapped out a week in advance.  Because i like to constantly move forward very quickly.  For any cancellations, we will plan to meet the next upcoming session if planned, or I will schedule you in for the next time to meet.  It is important to call me 24 hours in advance to cancel the session without getting charged.  Doing so allows me to better align my day with business and personal priorities."

If the therapist/coach is canceling the session in less than 24 hours...

You will NOT be billed for the session.  We will attempt to re-schedule during the same week, otherwise we will meet next week.  

If the client is canceling the session in less than 24 hours...

You will be billed for the session.  The therapist/coach will no longer re-schedule sessions during the week. 

Larry's thoughts... "If I haven't gotten in session yet, it usually means I'm still in session with another client.  The good news is if we end up entering the session late, it is still enough time to have an efficient 45 therapy / coaching session."  

If you leave a Life Coaching session within that 15 minute grace period, you will be billed for the full session.  Please be patient!  Likewise, we will also wait on every client at least 15 minutes before we exit the video session.    

For Mental Health clients, we will also provide a 15 minute grace period.  We cannot provide services after that 15 minutes.  The session will be billed as a missed session or late cancellation.  

It is important to call us 24 hours in advance to cancel the session.  

Larry's thoughts... "You and the therapist/coach are responsible for making sure techonlogy is working."  

If the therapist coach is having technology issues, you wont be billed.  If you are having technology issues and cannot connect to the therapy session successfully within 15 minutes, the session will be canceled you will be billed for the full session.  The session will be identified as a missed session or late cancellation. 

For Life Coaching clients, we can talk via Video or over the phone.  If we talk via video, you will be billed under Life Coaching.  If we talk via phone you will be billed under phone coaching.   Similar to the statement above, If you can't enter successfully into a session via video or phone within the first 15 minutes the session will be cancelled and you will be billed for the full session.

For Mental Health clients, we are Only able to have Video sessions.  Insurance does not cover phone therapy.   Similar to the statement above, If you can't enter successfully into a session via video within the first 15 minutes the session will be cancelled and you will be billed for the full session.  

What do I do if I'm having constant technology issues?

Make sure you have more than one way of entering into your video session ahead of time.  You can do this by: 

• Having 2 or more internet devices is always available to access the video therapy link via your phone, your laptop, or ipad device.
• Having 2 or more ways of accessing the internet via wireless home internet, or using cell phone internet.
• Making sure your devices are working and have enough battery life before the session begins.  (Note: Make sure your audio and video is working and compatible with video technology requirements ahead of time). 
• Making sure both internet options are working and have strong signals. 

Again it is your responsibility to make sure that your devices are working and the internet signal is strong enough to conduct a successful video session.  

If you are consistently unable to resolve technology issues, meeting for therapy or coaching online may not be the best solution for you.   It may be best to find a therapist or coach that is able to meet with you in person.  J4BG Family is unable to provide any in-person therapy or life coaching at this time.   

Making it to sessions is important for a couple of reasons: 

1. It keeps momentum needed for growth in overall quality of therapy.
2. It is time blocked and reserved for specifically you, 
3. Not attending takes away time from therapist.  That time could otherwise be used to provide therapy in that time slot to other needy clients or redirected towards personal activities that provide balance for the therapist.

If you cancel a session, you will get a response email that looks similar to the one below...

"Dear (client), thank you for reaching out to me regarding cancellation of your appointment.  Do you have any time this week to re-schedule your appointment so that we can continue our progress?" 

If you have 2 cancellations within a two month period, the therapist/coach will call you to discuss how to adjust the appointment schedule to match the pattern of commitment.

Larry's Thoughts... "What value would you place on dramatically changing your life, your spouse's life, or your child's life?"   

The skills that you learn from therapy improve your social, emotional, and mental productivity in life.  It not only helps you become a better listener/communicator at home, but also on the job, and in your community.  As therapists and coaches, we are literally transmitting all of our energy, our essence, our knowledge, and our life skills into the client. 

The healthier we are as Therapist/Coaches/Healers (financially, emotionally, physically), the better service we can provide for our clients. 

Through years and years of training we help clients improve their social and emotional challenges.  Although it may seem like we were just talking, it has taken us years and years of training to know what to ask and how to ask it, to help clients get the most out of our sessions.

The cost of therapy covers the fees associated with: 

• Maintaining business structure: which includes paying employees and contractors to help provide better services to clients
• Rental of office space
• Building insurance
• Maintaining Website
• Maintaining and upgrading electronic equipment to provide service efficiently
• Office equipment
• Maintaining mental health Licensure
• Maintaining insurance for Licensure
• Training fees 
• Cost of living that we provide for our supportive families
• Overall comfort of life as it relates to creating balance

One of my favorite commentaries regarding Value as it relates to Time is this... (see below): 

Client petitions services from the guru... 

The guru proceeds to tell the client, "I can do things three ways: I can do things Fast, I can do things Cheap, and I can do things Good... you can have any of those TWO that you want, pick which ones you want..."

The client replies "fast and good" ... guru: "well then it wont be Cheap..."

Client replies again " ok, then I want it Cheap and Good" ... guru: "well then it wont be Fast..."

Client replies again "ok well I want it fast and cheap".... guru: "well then it wont be Good..."

What are looking for?  Are you looking for something with value?  Are you something that will solve your problems?  Or are you looking for something Fast and Cheap? 

For Life Coaching Services, clients are billed every morning between approximately 5am and 6am.  You will get an email or mobile text regarding the receipt of the transaction from J4BG Family Services.  If in doubt, always call or bring it to our attention in session. 

For Mental Health Services, J4BG Family contracts through a provider to bill insurance services.  The provider will reach out to you initially to get intake paperwork as well as your insurance and credit card information for general billing and co-pay amounts due.  Anticipate paying a copay amount at every session. 

If you have any questions contact J4BG Family, contact our provider, or directly contact your insurance company.

Larry's thoughts... "Take as long as you need, it'll be obvious when it's time to move on..."

"Chris Rock has revealed that he increased his therapy sessions to 7 hours a week when the pandemic began, while opening about what he has learned about himself through the visits..." ~ Independent.co.uk

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/chris-rock-therapy-pandemic-nonverbal-learning-disorder-b1780988.html

For minor life challenges or diagnoses, therapy can last 3 to 6 months.

For mild life challenges or diagnoses, therapy can last 6 months to a year.

For severe life challenges or diagnoses, therapy or life coaching can last as long as you need it.   

The wonderful thing about therapy is that it usually gets better, and its not uncommon for people to leave therapy and then come back to therapy when they need it.

Most people will enter into the therapy meeting weekly for the first 8 to 16 weeks (always initially recommended), and then, after things start to get better, spread out therapy to every  other week, then once a month, once every 3 months, and if needed once every 6 months.

There is nothing wrong with staying in therapy as long as you need.  We all need help, and sometimes at certain moments in our lives, we may need more assistance and guidance with life challenges.  DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP!  We will try to give you as much time as possible, within proper recommended meeting patterns. 

We as life coaches and therapist can help the client measure how often therapy or life coaching is needed through recommendation.  But at the end of the day, (and this is just Larry's philosophy), the client is the ultimate barometer on how often they need therapy.

Larry's thoughts... "When in doubt, break the glass to put the fire out."

If you enter therapy, and therapy is not working... either find a new therapist, or consider that you may need additional help beyond therapy which may include getting assessed to identify social or emotional needs that can be best managed with medication.  

Medication does not necessarily have to be a long term thing.  Depending on the diagnosis, taking medication can be used as a tool to help you balance out until you can find ways to gain back control without the use of medications.  

In some circumstances clients may go on and off medication throughout the course of their lifetime, with the goal of eventually developing enough healthy coping and adaptation skills to be completely off mediation.  

These coping tools (in my opinion) must be complimented by healthy stress management, appropriate social/relationship boundaries, a healthy diet, and weekly fitness routine.  

Larry's thoughts... "Because I take your privacy seriously, if I see you in public, I will NOT acknowledge you, BUT you have permission to acknowledge me, AND I prefer how we identify our connection/relationship with one another to remain private"

If you see me in public and you feel like you would like to say "hello", just pretend that I'm a long distance friend, or associate... I'll go along with any story, as long as its true to a degree without me breaching your privacy.  I wont lie about anything, BUT I also wont say anything if you choose to lie (to each his own).

My only EXCEPTION to this rule is if there is no one around, there is visible anonymity in public space, AND you give me the verbal and non-verbal green light that it ok to say "hi"... I might say "hi".  

I personally think it can be a wonderful thing to see a client in public space, it makes everything more human, authentic, and relatable. 

Per HIPPA laws, and for the sake of protecting your privacy, a therapist or coach is required to maintain anonymity with client.  

YOU have absolute control over how much about your life you want to share with others. The Therapist/Coach does not have permission to disclose or share your information, not unless it falls under four permissible reasons: 

1. Intent to commit harm to self, 
2. Intent to harm others, 
3. Legal sobpoena to disclose information, or
4. Written permission by client to share information with others (via ROI form)

Depending  on what my schedule looks like it could take up to 30 days to get your request fulfilled. 

The primary difference in therapy versus life coaching is in the documented clinical diagnoses, and treatment.  (will edit information this section later... after October 17th, 2022)