FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I go to Outreach? Whom do you accept?

As long as you are between the ages of twelve and twenty-one you are eligible to come to Outreach. You are also welcome to bring any family members and/or significant others to include in meetings and sessions. Outreach accepts anyone who is appropriate for outpatient services. If you are unsure if you fall under this category you are welcome to call and find out, and if not, Outreach will still try to help you find the right type of help for the issues you are dealing with.

What exactly is outpatient counseling?

There are times when you have problems in your life that you just can not talk about with your family and friends. Outpatient counseling offers you a way to talk about the things you are dealing with someone who will not judge you and will help you find solutions to your problems in a way your friends and family might not be able to. Counselors truly care about those they serve and about their problems and concerns.

How much does it cost?

Outreach attempts to make counseling affordable to everyone and therefore the cost will vary on the circumstances. For example, Mt. Lebanon residents' first two sessions are free because Mt. Lebanon Municipality helps fund Outreach. The next eight sessions are just $10 each. After ten sessions the fee is $35. Outreach uses a sliding scale based on an individuals ability to pay. Outreach also holds a major fund-raiser each year to make counseling more affordable.

How do I get started?

The best way to get started at Outreach is by calling the office at (412) 561-5405. A counselor will be contacted and the counselor will call the individual to make a date for the first appointment.  All calls are confidential.  After that first phone call it is very likely that counseling will begin as soon as that same week.

If I have questions, whom do I call?

If you have any questions about the process or Outreach itself the best way to get them answered is be calling the office at (412) 561-5405.

Will my parents know that I came? Will they find out what I said in my sessions?

Absolutely not! Outreach prides itself in the fact that everything you say is completely confidential and only between you and your counselor. There are some exceptions demanded by law. If a client is considered to be suicidal or homicidal, Outreach must violate confidentiality to save that life. The other exception is if there is suspicion of child abuse. Fortunately, these circumstances are rare. On the whole, what is discussed between you and your counselor will stay private.

How long can I expect to be coming to Outreach?

The main idea of counseling is not to be a lifelong commitment, but rather, a way to work through problems and gain skills to deal with those problems, and others, in the future. The amount of time that you might need to come to Outreach depends on the individual problems you are dealing with. Individual sessions are normally once a week, but sometimes more sessions a week are made. Sometimes a problem needs more attention, or different attention, than Outreach can give. In that case you may be referred to someone who can give you the help you need.

Can I quit? What is the commitment?

You have the say in how long you come to counseling and can stop at any time. There is no commitment to how long you must come. Counseling works best, however, if you follow through and make and honest effort to be open to the ideas your counselor offers you. Your counselor will help you to deal with what you are going through, but you must also be open to this help. It is usually a good idea to commit yourself to at least 6 sessions to determine if it is really working.

Can I come back?

It is common that counseling takes place in spurts of time. Some people feel that if they had stopped coming before that their counselor will be angry at them and not want them to come back. This couldn't be farther from the truth. Your counselor will not be angry at you and you will be more than welcome to come back. You will, however, have to be reevaluated before you do return to make sure it is for the right reasons. If you didn't leave with mutual agreement, with your counselor, it is worth talking about, so that the same mistakes can be avoided in in the future.