Frequently Asked Questions
For your convenience, most client questions are answered right here.
Not finding what you want? Reach out directly through our Contact Us page.
Q: Where are you located? Is there more than one location?
A: Snellville, GA. Directly east of Atlanta between Stone Mountain and Grayson in Gwinnett County off of Hwy 78. Click here for map and driving directions. Other locations based on therapist availability: Clairmont Road; Greensboro, GA.
Q: What times are available?
A: The therapists each provide their own scheduling. There is a range of options from day, evening, to Saturday appointments.
Q: What types of issues would I see a counselor for?
A: Though you may want to check the SERVICES page for the general answer, here are a few scenarios that would fit: changing careers; transitioning kids into a new life after divorce; parents finding out their adult child was physically or sexually abused years ago; managing work stress, including social and political aspects; first occurrence of mental illness during 1st or 2nd year of college (manic episode, psychotic behavior, etc.); clergy struggling with an addiction; post partum depression or “empty nest” grief for mother and/or father.
Q: Can you prescribe medication?
A: No, there are no psychiatrists on staff. [To prescribe medication the person must be a Medical Doctor (M.D.)]. HOWEVER, our consulting psychiatrist (M.D.) is located in Lawrenceville next to Summit Ridge Behavioral Hospital, works with adults, and is listed on numerous insurance panels. Talk to a counselor about how medication and therapy can work together.
Q: Do you provide marriage counseling?
A: Yes, most of the counselors provide couples and/or marriage counseling.
Q: What if I prefer a male/female counselor, specifically?
A: We will make every effort to meet this request.
Q: What do these letters, credentials, mean? What is the difference?
A: Counselors and therapists have a range of degrees and credentials. Dr. Kerry Duncan is trained in pastoral counseling and is ordained within his denominational affiliation. An LPC is a (state) Licensed Professional Counselor, with an LAPC being the associate license. During your initial appointment or phone call with the counselor, feel free to ask them how their credentials relate to counseling. Also, it may be helpful to know that an LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a psychologist has a Ph.D. designation. The work of all of these people can be very similar. Psychologists tend to do more assessments, evaluations, and court related documentation.
Q: What is the difference between counseling and therapy?
A: Though within the profession, these terms are used interchangeably, there are a few helpful points of clarification. Namely, counseling tends to be a supportive environment where a specific problem is presented. The counselor would be more likely to provide resources, guidance, and concrete suggestions to address the “symptoms” of the problem. On the other hand, therapy is a process that focuses on the healing of underlying pain, grief, anger, trauma, etc. It is a transformational process where you engage with another person/therapist in a relationship where healing and transformation can occur. Though this is typically a longer process in terms of time, it can result in the elimination of symptoms since the core problem is addressed. An analogy would be going to your family doctor and asking for medication to treat each symptom (headache, indigestion, leg cramps) or asking them to treat the problem that caused the symptoms. The choice of focus is up to you.
Q: Does Covenant Counseling take into account my religious beliefs as part of the counseling provided?
A: It is our policy to respect the belief system of every person. No attempt is made to impose religious or theological beliefs onto clients who come to the Center. A few of our therapists are ordained pastors, while all of our therapists are Christians who seek to honor the range of faith-based belief structures. You are welcome to request Judeo-Christian principles be included into the therapeutic process, but this will not be assumed and is never required.
Q: Can I meet with a counselor once to see how this works?
A: Of course. You are welcome to make an initial appointment where you can find out the specifics of location, details of policies/confidentiality and other business aspects of the process, as well as determine if you make a good fit with the counselor. At the conclusion, you may either decide to continue with that person, request another therapist, or determine any other next steps.
Q: Do therapists at Covenant have a particular theoretical orientation to counseling?
A: Each staff member operates out of his/her own theoretical modality, which they will be glad to explain in the first interview. Generally speaking, the primary theoretical basis for our treatment is psychodynamic with strong emphasis on family systems theory.
**For all insurance and financial questions, please refer to the FEES page**