FAQ
Where are you located?
Our offices are a few blocks north of downtown Conroe and about a mile east of Interstate 45, at the corners of Thompson and Nugent Streets, at 702 N. Thompson Street, Suite 120, Conroe, TX. Buildings at 702 and 704 North Thompson share a porch and are collectively called “The Thompson,” which you will see in large letters on the side of the building.
Are your offices handicapped-accessible?
Yes, our building facilities and offices are. People with disabilities-accessible parking is in the lot east of 704 North Thompson. The sidewalk next to the car park will take you between 704 and 702. Turn to your left when you get on the porch, and you’ll see the doors to 702.
How long is a typical session?
Typical counseling sessions are 45-50 minutes long with your counselor.
The last 10 minutes of the hour are reserved for a little extra time to get a client ready to go home, for the counselor to finish notes from the session, for preparing for the next session, and for practicing basic self-care to refresh for the next client.
Do you offer a free initial consultation?
Yes, we call it a “Getting To Know You” session. It’s 20-30 minutes for you to ask any questions you may have to help you determine if you and I “connect” and share enough about your concerns for me to see if I can best help you.
We are not experts in everything, but we know what we are very good at, what we can competently help with, and what we can’t. We believe you deserve the best help, and even if it is not us, we will help you find it.
How can I pay for the help I need?
Don’t let money keep you from getting the help you want. “How much do you charge?” isthe first question many ask when they call.
Unfortunately, that reveals a mindset that counseling is a commodity, like a pair of shoes or an oil change for your car. Effective counseling is NOT a commodity.
You may find what you seek by comparing prices and looking for the cheapest counseling. If you want to be free of what burdens you or want your relationship to be healed, you don’t want to get the most affordable person. You want to get the person who can help you achieve your goals and has the verifiable training and experience to do that. For instance, would you want the best or the cheapest heart surgeon if you need open-heart surgery?
You and your relationships are worth investing in!
The standard rate for 45-50-minute counseling sessions with Dr. John VanderKaay is $200.
Grace2Rebuild (G2R) Marriage intensives are one-day investments of $2,600, two-day investments of $4,800, and three-day investments of $6,200. For Group Fees, the standard rate for our group sessions is $35.
Do you accept insurance?
The short answer is “yes, but for very few weekly sessions.” The full answer is below.
Insurance companies pay counselors a fraction of what they could charge for self-pay, and even less, or don’t cover couples’ sessions.
A therapist has to diagnose someone to get reimbursed. The insurer dictates your care, and your records are not fully protected. Therefore, the insurer, rather than the therapist, determines the treatment and the length of time for therapy. As a result, individuals needing urgent care receive less care than needed, which can create difficulties, especially for those with mental health issues that could lead to personal harm.
For more information about why insurance is not the best option, see the article “Why I left the network.”
Learn more here: https://projects.propublica.org/why-i-left-the-network/
I’m not a Christian; can I still get counseling from you?
Absolutely! We do not require any client to have a relationship with Jesus Christ to get help from us. Although the exact percentage varies occasionally, about half our clients do not profess to be Christians.
I’m not a Christian, will you be “preaching” to me if I get counseling from you?
All our staff members are unashamedly Christian. That fact primarily concerns how we act and treat you and our commitment to offering our best to every client. We are committed to sharing the truth, as best we understand it, and offering the best counsel to you.
A fundamental belief we hold is that every human is made in the Image of God and is worthy of Honor and Respect just for that fact. We strive for every Christian and non-Christian client to feel honored and respected in every interaction with our staff, especially our counselors. We will honor your wishes and ask you to share what your wishes are in your consent documents before beginning counseling.
I’d have difficulty finding a babysitter for me to come to counseling. Can you help?
We sure can! We believe children are a blessing from the Lord. Sometimes, they are also challenging, even getting the help you need and want.
Although we do not provide childcare, we have partnered with Care.com to allow you to select a Care.com babysitter and have them watch your child/children at home while you come or babysit them in our offices!
We have “baby-proofed” a room in our suite where the babysitter can watch your children. The room is right next to Dr. John’s office. We also have a security camera in the room and can provide a tablet with the camera feed while you’re in your session.
You can find out more details about Care.com.
Have your counselors ever been to counseling themselves?
Absolutely, and a whole lot of it! We “practice what we preach.” Like every other human, counselors sometimes get stuck and need outside help. We don’t ask our clients to do anything we haven’t done.
Do you enjoy being a counselor? If so, what are your favorite parts?
Exactly who first said it is uncertain, but “If you do what you love, you won’t work a day in your life.” It’s something we get to live out. Our staff feel called by God to be a part of this ministry and consider it an honor to come alongside people in their seasons of greatest need.
Dr. John’s favorite parts are seeing a client come in during the first session with brokenness and fear and leave the final session with hope and healing, especially seeing couples sit at opposite ends of couches during the first session and right next to each other holding hands by the last session.
Do you have a therapy dog in your office?
Yes, we certainly do! Cocoa is our Certified Therapy Dog and is available if clients want her to join their sessions. Everyone has a choice of whether she is in a session or not. You can read more about Cocoa on our About Our Team page.
How can I help you help others, and get a tax deduction for doing it?
Prayer Support – We need people to pray for us and God’s ministry here. “Unless the Lord builds a house, the builders labor in vain.” (Psalm 127:1) We desperately want and need God’s guidance. Our prayer partners are critical to all that we do! Would you commit to regularly praying for Dr. John and the CMMF family? If so, please sign up for our prayer team by clicking the link below.
Financial Investment – Do you believe in the importance of God’s design for marriage and for strengthening relationships according to His standards? Whether individually, as a family, or through your business, we could not do what we do without our Financial Partners.
Want to give to a specific ministry part or program? Call us or submit the contact form, and we’ll contact you!
Volunteering – Here are a few of our current needs for volunteers.
- Someone to set up the technology for our groups and troubleshoot any tech problems that may arise for the group.
- Someone to serve on-call for technical support for tech issues in the offices.
- A gifted marketer to help us tell our story.
Can you recommend some helpful resource pages on the web?
Our ministry store provides valuable resources – https://mightymarriages.square.site/s/shop
Mental Health Links – Alcoholics Anonymous (https://www.aa.org/); Center for Online Addiction (https://netaddiction.com/); Answers to Your Questions About Panic Disorder (https://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety/panic-disorder); National Center for PTSD (https://www.ptsd.va.gov/); Questions and Answers about Memories of Childhood Abuse (https://www.apa.org/topics/trauma/memories); The National Domestic Violence Hotline Website (https://www.thehotline.org/); Depression and How Therapy Can Help (https://www.apa.org/topics/depression/recover); Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (https://www.eatright.org/); SAMHSA’s Suicide Prevention (https://www.samhsa.gov/technical-assistance/tribal-ttac/resources/suicide-prevention); Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (https://www.save.org/); Internet Mental Health (https://www.mentalhealth.com/)