Frequently Asked Questions

Counseling is a type of therapy that involves talking with a trained professional about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Counseling aims to help you understand yourself better, explore your emotions, and develop strategies to cope with difficult situations. It can be helpful for a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety, relationship problems, and more. Counseling can take place in a one-on-one setting or a group and typically involves regular sessions over some time.

Life is full of ups and downs, and sometimes, facing challenges that seem impossible can be overwhelming. Emotional distress, strained relationships, and a feeling of hopelessness can all take a toll on the mind and body. That's where counseling comes in - we offer compassionate and professional support to help you navigate these difficult times. Our experienced counselor is here to provide guidance and practical solutions to help you cope with life's challenges and find a path forward. With our help, you can regain your balance and start living your life to the fullest.

We understand that seeking help can be daunting, so we strive to create a warm and welcoming environment for our clients. During your initial session, we will take the time to get to know you and your unique situation. We'll discuss your relevant history, current challenges, and goals. Once we have a clear understanding of your needs, we'll develop a personalized plan to guide your counseling sessions and help you achieve your objectives. At our practice, we're committed to fostering your personal growth and providing a non-judgmental, supportive space where you can feel comfortable exploring complex issues.

Generally, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and counselor. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client. However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:

• Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse. The counselor is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person, the therapist is required to notify the police.
• Suppose a client intends to harm themselves. The counselor will try to work with the individual to ensure their safety. 

The length of time a client spends in counseling depends upon several factors:

• The nature and severity of the presenting issues and concerns will impact the duration of therapy.
• The client's perception, insight, and understanding of the counseling process will play a role.
• The client's availability and willingness to do the work outside of the therapy office and make necessary changes are critical factors that influence the duration of counseling.

A typical therapy session lasts 40 to 50 minutes. The duration of your counseling session will depend on the type of mental health services you are receiving. Your mental health counselor will inform you beforehand about the length of your counseling session.

When you book an hour for individual counseling, please note that the session will take place during a "therapy hour" or "therapeutic hour." Usually, this segment lasts for 40 to 50 minutes. The mental health counselor uses the remaining time to take notes about your session, tidy up their office for the next client, and take a break.

We are not licensed medical doctors and, therefore, cannot prescribe psychotropic medication. However, we understand that some clients may prefer to take medication to alleviate their symptoms and support the therapy process. In such cases, we can provide referrals to qualified medical practitioners or alternative therapists as needed.

Our counseling sessions cost $125 each, but we offer a sliding scale for eligible clients.

We accept cash and all major credit and debit cards. Payment is required at the end of each session. If your counseling is funded by the Victim Compensation Fund or the Second Wind Fund, you do not need to worry about payment, as your counselor will bill for your sessions through the appropriate means.

We accept Medicaid only through our independent contract work with Mindsolutions, LLC. If you want to use your Medicaid insurance, contact Mindsolutions, LLC, and request an intake appointment with Brenda Blanco. However, please remember that this is contract work. Brenda has the right to end her affiliation with Mindsolutions, LLC, at any time, which may affect your therapy relationship and progress. 

Espérance Counseling is proud to be a provider for the Second Wind Fund, an organization dedicated to improving access to mental health counseling. Their program is designed to help families with children and youth at risk for suicide by removing barriers that could otherwise prevent them from receiving the care they need. They offer 12-20 cost-free counseling sessions to ensure the youth who require support can access the necessary counseling services. If you need additional details, kindly click on the link below: 

WELCOME - Second Wind Fund (thesecondwindfund.org)

If you or your family have been victims of a violent crime in Colorado, you may be eligible to receive compensation for the loss. Additionally, suppose you are a resident of Colorado and have been victimized in a state or country without any victim compensation program or where such a program will not cover your loss. In that case, you may still be eligible for compensation.

To be eligible for victim compensation in Colorado, you must meet specific criteria from the Crime Victim Compensation Statute:

• The victim sustains mental or bodily injury, dies, or suffers property damage to locks, windows, or doors to residential property as a result of the crime.
• The victim cooperates with law enforcement officials.
• The police were notified within 72 hours after the crime occurred.
• The injury or death of the victim was not the result of the victim's wrongdoing or substantial provocation.
• The victimization occurred on or after July 1, 1982.
• The application for compensation was submitted within one year from the date of the crime or within six months for property damage claims.

The local victim compensation board may waive some of these requirements for good cause or in the interest of justice. This includes application deadlines. Please click on the link below to learn more.

Crime Victim Compensation | Division of Criminal Justice (colorado.gov)