EP Group - Employee FAQ

What kind of Counseling?

EP Group covers 2 sessions a month with your counselor. If you would like to do more sessions a month, you may inquire with them about paying them directly for those sessions. Your counselor will work with you to develop a plan to fit your needs. You can address whatever is going on in your life and feel like it would be helpful to talk about. Because of the way we’re set up, we are not able to offer crisis counseling, sessions more than twice a month on a regular basis, medication, or any kind of residential care. However, if you feel your needs are more than what we are available to meet, we want to help connect you with some great resources. Schedule an appointment and we can help assess what would be best for you and help you get connected.

Who is eligible? 

You (the EP Group team member)! As consistent with your benefits, if you are married then you may schedule relationship counseling with your spouse. You will need to be present for the couples counseling, in other words your spouse cannot schedule sessions for himself/herself individually. At this time we are not able to offer counseling to minors. 

What does it cost?

EP Group is covering 100% of the cost of sessions provided - meaning it’s completely FREE to you! EP Group will not be covering sessions that are missed or canceled at the last minute. You will be responsible for paying for sessions you schedule but do not attend or sessions that you do not cancel ahead of time. Please look closely at the paperwork your counselor provides you during your first session and ask any questions you have about their policy. You will be responsible for the fees associated with missed appointments or late cancellations.

What’s the survey about?

We will be sending you a link to a survey at the beginning of your sessions, after the 5th session, and at the end of your sessions. While you are not required to participate, it does help us monitor the helpfulness of the program and the experience with your counselor. These surveys are confidential and your data will be maintained at GROW. EP Group and your Counselor will not have access to your individual answers. The results will be used to provide big picture feedback to EP Group about the impact of providing counseling services to the staff. We would appreciate your honest feedback!

What if I have an emergency?

While we hope the counseling services are beneficial to you, you understand, agree and acknowledge that they may not be the appropriate solution for everyone’s needs and that they may not be appropriate for every particular situation and/or may not be a complete substitute for a face-to-face examination and/or care in every particular situation.

If you are thinking about harming yourself or anyone else, or considering suicide you must call 911 or go to an emergency room immediately. The counselors provided in this program are not available for acute emergencies. These counselors will not be providing or prescribing medication. Additionally, this counseling is not intended to provide psychiatric or psychological evaluations or diagnosis. 

Here are some organizations that are available to provide help immediately if you are in a crisis situation:

  • Emergency: 911

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1- 800-799-7233

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

  • National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433)

  • Lifeline Crisis Chat (Online live messaging): https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/

  • National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency Hope Line: 1-800-622-2255

  • National Crisis Line - Anorexia and Bulimia: 1-800-233-4357

  • GLBT Hotline: 1-888-843-4564

  • TREVOR Crisis Hotline: 1-866-488-7386

  • TransLifeline: https://www.translifeline.org - 877-565-8860

Can you prescribe medication?

Our counselors will not be prescribing medication. You may consult with them about their recommendations on a medical professional who can do that as well as advice on how the process works. You may also consider reaching out to your health insurance provider to find out which providers are in-network with your plan.

What happens if I miss my appointment or have to cancel at the last minute?

Please be aware that EP Group through GROW Counseling Network will only be paying for sessions provided. You will be responsible for paying directly to the Counselor if you miss or cancel/reschedule a session without proper notification. Please pay close attention to the paperwork you complete with the counselor that will outline their policies and procedures regarding late cancellations or missed appointments.

What’s GROW Counseling Network’s role?

All of your counselor’s paperwork will apply to you, make sure you read it carefully. GROW Counseling Network provides referrals to counselors, handles billing, and program administration. GROW Counseling Network is not responsible for the counseling that you receive. If you would like to switch counselors at any time, please let us know at info@growcounselingnetwork.com. You might want to review the document Client Bill of Rights you were provided with when you registered so that you are aware of what to expect. The counselors are independent contractors and not employees of GROW Counseling Network.

Will I be notified about billing?

Every 5 sessions, we will send you an anonymous survey to complete. This is to verify that you have attended 5 sessions with your counselor and can provide some feedback for the program. If you get a survey and have not had these sessions, please let us know ASAP. For billing purposes, you will be assigned a number and that number will be used in the billing process. EP Group will not be provided with your name or any information about you.

What if I want to change counselors?

We’ve got several counselors in your area. If you’re not happy with the counselor you have been matched with or are seeing, you can request a change at: https://www.growcounselingnetwork.com/epgroup. You can always reach out to us at info@GROWCounselingNetwork.com for any assistance!

How do we verify the counselors?

We have an extensive application process before counselors are approved for the GROW Counseling Network. Every counselor is required to be licensed, insured, and in good standing. We have required them to submit proof of identity, submit to a background check, and engage in an interview process via video.  

Is it confidential?

We take your confidentiality very seriously. Everything you tell your counselor is completely confidential. GROW has developed its infrastructure and operations with the goal of protecting your privacy and safeguarding your information. You may share whatever you like about your counseling session but we will not be sharing anything with anyone.Should you want us to talk to someone else (i.e. a psychiatrist or parter), you may fill out a release that specifies who, what, and how much you would like for your counselor to share. GROW Counseling Network will not have access to any of your confidential information regarding the content of sessions.

How fast should I respond to my counselor to schedule? 

When you hear from your counselor please respond to schedule with them within 3 business days. If they do not hear from you, we will place you back on the waiting list and assign another client to them. You can always be assigned to someone else.