The CPC is a free-standing training clinic, staffed by doctoral students in Clinical Psychology, that serves the Missoula community. All services are provided under the direct supervision of senior clinicians from the clinical faculty and the community. The Clinic facilities include private counseling rooms, observation rooms, a group therapy room, and seminar rooms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is a relationship between a therapist and a client.  In this relationship the two agree to work together toward goals that they’ve decided on together.  If symptoms are thought of as a solution to a problem (present day or in the past), the question becomes: What is that problem and what other solutions are possible.  The therapist is there to listen without judgment to you/your child and help come up with your/your child’s own solutions to problems faced in the past and present.  The struggle for self understanding can be painful and at times make the client feel worse before they can feel better.  The therapist is not there to provide you/your child with all the answers, they are merely a tool that can be used to better understand one’s self.

What will my first appointment be like?

During your/your child’s “Intake” appointment, you will be asked to fill out some paperwork.  You/your child will also be interviewed by a clinician and asked to take a brief computerized assessment.  The appointment should take 60-90 minutes, and you will be charged $5 for the visit.

What happens after my intake appointment?

Your clinician will then write a brief report that will be used to summarize the intake session for your therapist.  Sometimes, your intake clinician and therapist will be the same person, and sometimes someone else will be assigned to you.  Within 7-10 days, your therapist will call you to set up your/your child’s initial therapy appointment.  Once established, your/your child’s therapy sessions will run for approximately 45-50 minutes.

Who will be my therapist at the CPC?

The CPC is a training, research and service unit of the Department of Psychology’s doctoral training program in Clinical Psychology.  At the CPC, clients are treated by closely-supervised student therapists who are graduate students with at least one full year of clinical training and experience.  CPC trainees receive regular, intensive supervision either from clinical faulty members of the University of Montana, Department of Psychology, or from licensed clinicians from the community who are affiliated with the Department. »Please note: Because we are a training clinic, your clinician will discuss your/your child’s treatment with a supervisor and a clinical team of 4-6 other students.  Your clinician will share with you a list of names of his/her clinical team members and clinical supervisor.  In addition, your/your child’s sessions will be recorded via DVD, videotape, or audiotape, and some sessions may be observed live through a one-way mirror. Any recordings made of sessions will be destroyed after they have been reviewed with a supervisor, unless a student receives your written permission to preserve them.

I understand that my therapist is a student.  What happens when they graduate?

Our student therapists generally work at the CPC from 1-2 years before moving on.  If your therapist plans to “graduate” from the CPC, you may either work together toward termination or consider transferring to a new therapist.  In this event, you will be notified of a likely termination or transfer far in advance, so that you can discuss and prepare for it together.

How much is therapy at the CPC going to cost me? Is my insurance accepted here?

In an effort to make our services affordable, we provide psychotherapy on a sliding fee scale.  This scale is based upon your household income and the number of individuals in your home.  We do our best to set client fees in a consistent, straightforward, and fair manner.  Your clinician will ask you to fill out an information sheet about your household income in order to set your fee.  Please understand that we cannot finalize your fee until we have this information.  Rest assured that your financial information will be protected, along with the rest of your/your child’s personal health information.

We do not bill insurance companies or Medicare for the services we provide. 

What if I can’t afford the sliding scale set fee?

Under extraordinary circumstances, you may also be able to apply for a reduced fee, provided that you are willing to provide additional information about your household expenses and debts. 

When will I be expected to pay for my treatment sessions?

At the CPC, we understand that many of our clients have limited resources, and that payment may be difficult at times.  Nonetheless, we ask that you make your/your child’s treatment a priority and pay promptly and in full for the services that you receive.  Your cooperation with this policy helps us to maintain our low fees and to keep the clinic operating.  If you are having trouble paying your bill, please discuss this with your clinician as soon as it becomes apparent.  We appreciate your understanding.

How long will I be seen at the CPC?

The length of your/your child’s treatment (i.e. the number of sessions received) will depend upon your/your child’s problems, symptoms, and issues, and your/your child’s progress, and the type of treatment provided.

What is the CPC’s Confidentiality policy?

At the CPC, protection of your/your child’s privacy is one of our greatest priorities.  All CPC staff members sign a confidentiality agreement stating that they will respect the privacy of CPC clients.  Your clinical case file is kept in a locked filing cabinet in a locked room when the CPC is closed, and its contents are safeguarded during office hours.  Limits to your/your child’s confidentiality are explained in detail on the Informed Consent form.  Your CPC clinician will gladly discuss these exceptions with you during your/your child’s appointment.

Is the CPC involved in any Research? How does that apply to me?

The CPC is a research facility in addition to a mental health clinic.  Occasionally, we analyze archival data from our client files, provided that all identifying information has been removed.  New studies require approval by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) to ensure adequate attention to the rights of research participants.  At some time during your/your child’s treatment at the CPC, your therapist may ask if you/your child would like to participate in a research study.  Refusal to participate would not in any way affect your/your child’s ability to receive services at the CPC.

What if I’m coming to the CPC for just a Psychological Assessment?

If you/your child are coming to the CPC expressly for psychological assessment, this will include an interview prior to testing and a follow-up consultation regarding the results.

Where can I park when I have an appointment at the CPC?

There are four reserved parking spots right out front of the CPC for clients.  Please check-in with the receptionist when you first arrive and she will give you a parking pass.  Please return the pass at the end of each session.

What if I have a problem with the way I have been treated at the CPC?

The CPC has a client grievance policy, in the event that you ever feel that your rights have been violated or that you have not received adequate, appropriate, or ethical treatment at the CPC.  If you are not satisfied with an informal resolution of your complaint with your therapist, you are also free to file a Client Grievance Form and to discuss your concerns with the Director, Jennifer S. Robohm, Ph.D. (406.243.6890)