FAQ
Where are you located?
We are located at 361 First St. N. Charlottesville, VA 22901. We see clients in our offices or online, depending on client preference and clinician availability. Street parking is available in the area, and clients may also park in the Christ Episcopal Church parking lot on the corner of 1st St. N. and E. Jefferson St.
How much does therapy cost? Do you take insurance? Is there a reduced rate offered?
Our therapists charge the market rate for services ($145 for a 50 minute session). One of our clinicians accepts insurance through a third party, Headway. Our other clinicians are able to provide an invoice or “superbill” to file with your insurance company for out-of-network reimbursement. We reserve 20% of our caseload for clients who may need a reduced rate. Please contact us at info@downtowncounselingcenter.org for more information or to express interest in qualifying for a reduced rate.
What’s your specialty? Do you have a model of therapy?
We see clients for a variety of issues, including but not limited to anxiety and stress, depression and loneliness, trauma, marital and family conflict, grief and other painful life transitions, and more.
Our therapy model is first and foremost relationship-based. Our focus in sessions, both in content and through the therapy experience itself, is in developing a relationship with clients that feels honest, compassionate, and committed. Because of this focus, our therapists are experienced in working with attachment issues, relational trauma, and family dynamics.
How long will therapy last?
Because our clinical model emphasizes relationships rather than solutions, we believe in the significance of establishing a trusting relationship with your therapist. This makes for lasting change, but it takes time. We find that it generally takes at least six months and often longer to address in depth any issue you might be facing. Of course, along the way, we will check in with you to get your sense of the process, and it is ultimately up to you to measure the success of therapy.
I see you’re connected to a church. Is this Christian counseling?
The Downtown Counseling Center stems from the mission of Christ Episcopal Church to love people, aligning with the church’s understanding that “we love because God first loved us.”
That being said, this is not “Christian counseling.” Our therapists may be coming from a Christian framework, but they are also professional clinicians approved by the Commonwealth of Virginia to provide mental health services. They understand that everyone has a spiritual life worthy of respect, and they do not push Christian doctrine in therapy, nor prescribe unsolicited spiritual advice.
We welcome anyone who reaches out for help, regardless of their relationship to church and/or faith.
How do I get started?
Fill out the form on our contact page (link below), and we will be in touch with you to set up a time for a brief intake call with one of our clinicians. From there, we’ll be able to point you in the right direction, whether that’s setting you up with a therapist here or a resource elsewhere.