West Georgia Counseling & Assessment Services

The philosophy of our program is that we seek to provide a qualified, understanding person to work with clients and families to provide an improved quality of life. The program uses traditional counseling services to help reach those goals. Examples of some of the services provided are mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, relapse prevention, parenting, domestic violence counseling, anger management, play therapy, couples and family counseling. We encourage support from family members or others in the community, as appropriate, in working toward achieving individualized goals. Our Outpatient Treatment program works jointly with clients to maximize their functioning and manage the symptoms of their current situation.

The primary goal of Outpatient Treatment is to assist consumers in developing the skills to effectively manage current circumstances while concurrently developing the tools to minimize the opportunity for similar future occurrences. Every year the agency establishes goals for this program that address our efficiency and effectiveness in achieving ends that are important to clients. Among these goals are maintenance of family unity and seeing clients quickly after we receive a referral.

All outpatient treatment services are provided by qualified and credentialed staff. WGCAS ensures that all therapists working for the agency have training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  The program does not insist on the professional using specific treatment modalities outside of TF-CBT. However the agency provides supportive information on models of treatment. Staff who provide services are licensed and qualified under state of Georgia criteria to provide treatment.  In addition, the administrative staff at WGCAS closely considers each case, reviews the initial service needs sent by the case manager, and assigns staff based upon the therapeutic specialization of each therapist.  Some of the treatment modalities used at WGCAS are the Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Matrix Model for substance abuse, and the Brain Change for domestic violence.

Outpatient Treatment provides the following services in order to assess the therapeutic needs of a client:

All services are documented in the client’s chart to ensure that each consumer understands their treatment, how their service will be provided to them and how each consumer responds individually.

The agency’s typical business hours are Monday-Friday from 9 am-5 pm.  However, we are also available for crisis issues. After hours contact Information can be found at the agency’s website at: www.westgeorgiacounseling.com or by calling 706-837-0045.

Program services are provided in community settings where resources can be used to address the needs of special populations. The agency is operated at a barrier free location and arrangements for other special needs are available for the persons served as required. The agency has a reputation of being able to provide services in locations outside the office to include services at a client home or DFACS office. The program provides training for staff to assure that it is co-occurring capable and equipped to adjust or make referrals for individuals needing concurrent services. All consumers admitted for services are screened for co-occurring disabilities. Services to consumers with co-occurring medical, psychiatric, addiction or developmental disabilities will be individualized according to consumer needs and preferences and will be coordinated with program components or external services relevant to the co-occurring disability. The agency does not discriminate against consumers who maybe children or adolescents, aging or older adults, pregnant women, those with HIV/AIDS or DUI or substance abuse offenders.

All services provided are paid for by DFCS. There are no fees for consumers admitted to the program. Funding for those programs are provided by the Georgia Department of Human Services. The agency monitors itself on an on-going basis to ensure that adequate facilities, space, materials, and staffing are available to provide the proper amount of care for the proper length of time based on the needs of the client. Outpatient Services are provided under supervision of a licensed professional counselor who serves in the role of clinical supervisor. The agency always provides services directly and are not referred out to others or subcontracted out for another agency to operate.

To be part of the program a person must have children that are in foster care or have open cases with DFCS. Program requirements would also include being referred through Troup County Juvenile Court or Troup County’s Family Treatment Court.

Transition planning occurs within the first 30 days of service or when a client is no longer needing our services or it has been identified that they are in need of a different or other supportive service. Transitions are completed with the input of the client in order to assure that proper treatment planning occurs.

Discharge criteria for services include, but are not limited to, the following:

Professional Counseling Staff: these are licensed professionals and are also independent contractors for the agency. They are eligible to perform counseling duties and to provide assessments for others such as domestic violence, substance abuse, trauma and parenting assessments. The minimum credentials for a staff person to conduct outpatient services is at minimum a master’s degree in the area of social work or mental health and a provisional license or full licensure. Contractual agreements require a person have at minimum 1 year of experience in the social work/mental health field.

The Clinical Supervisor: the clinical supervisor is the one staff member who is licensed and is responsible for the overseeing of the clinical services provided by the agency. This staff person provides clinical supervision to direct service staff on an on-going basis and is part of the agency’s Quality Improvement team.

Administrative support staff: this is one full-time employee who is responsible for clerical support of the CEO and others as directed.

Parent Aid staff: these staff members have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in the social work/human services field.  Many of WGCAS staff have master’s degrees as well.  We use a standard, evidenced based parenting curriculum in which training is completed in house Corporate Compliance Officer: this master’s level person assures conformance with CARF standards, HIPAA regulations, and quality record reviews and completes assessments under the supervision of licensed personnel.”

Leadership for the organization is comprised of an owner who is the sole proprietor of the organization. The owner of the agency is the Chief Executive Officer and is ultimately responsible for all activities and management of the organization.

Your Rights and Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills

Under the “No Surprise Act of 2022,” when you receive care by an out-of-network provider, are uninsured, or decide to pay for service out-of-pocket, you are protected from surprise billing.  In these cases, you should not be charged more than the good faith estimate provided for your service.

“Surprise billing” is an unexpected bill for services provided.  You have the right to an estimate of what your care could cost you and this is called aa “Good Faith Estimate.” West Georgia Counseling and Assessment Services will offer a good faith estimate for your intake and continued care. This “Good Faith Estimate” must be completed before you begin services. You have the right to refuse the “Good Faith Estimate” and obtaining the estimate does not constitute agreement for services.

This Good Faith Estimate shows the costs of items and services that are reasonably expected for your health care needs for an item or service. The estimate is based on information known at the time the estimate was created.  The Good Faith Estimate does not include any unknown or unexpected costs that may arise during treatment. You could be charged more if complications or special circumstances occur. If this happens, federal law allows you to dispute (appeal) the bill.  If you are billed for more than this Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the bill. You may contact the health care provider or facility listed to let them know the billed charges are higher than the Good Faith Estimate. You can ask them to update the bill to match the Good Faith Estimate, ask to negotiate the bill, or ask if there is financial assistance available.  You may also start a dispute resolution process with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). If you choose to use the dispute resolution process, you must start the dispute process within 120 calendar days (about 4 months) of the date on the original bill.  There is a $25 fee to use the dispute process. If the agency reviewing your dispute agrees with you, you will have to pay the price on this Good Faith Estimate. If the agency disagrees with you and agrees with the health care provider or facility, you will have to pay the higher amount.  To learn more and get a form to start the process, go to www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-985-3059.  For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate or the dispute process, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-985-3059. Keep a copy of the Good Faith Estimate in a safe place or take pictures of it. You may need it if you are billed a higher amount.