Frequently Asked Questions
You do not need to understand counseling, know exactly what you want to work on, or be certain that therapy is right for you before reaching out.
This page answers some of the most common questions people ask about counseling with Timmy Marrinan Counseling PLLC.
At a glance
Individual counseling: Adults
Session fee: $100
Location: Chandler, Arizona
Online/Telehealth: Available throughout Arizona
Consultation: Free 15-minute phone call
Payment: Private pay; insurance is not accepted
Primary focus: Anxiety, stress, life transitions, motivation, relationships, men’s issues, and feeling stuck
General Counseling Questions
-
You do not have to prove that your problem is serious enough.
You may simply be noticing that the same issue keeps returning, that your usual ways of handling it are not working, or that you would benefit from talking with someone outside your everyday life.
-
Individual sessions generally last approximately 55 minutes.
-
We will decide together rather than assuming one schedule works for everyone.
Many clients begin with weekly sessions because meeting regularly helps us understand patterns, maintain momentum, and practice new responses.
Depending on your needs, progress, schedule, and finances, we may later discuss meeting every other week or at another appropriate frequency.
-
We will regularly discuss what has improved, what has stayed the same, and whether anything has become more difficult.
I also use brief assessments to help us track change over time. One of the primary measures I use is the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation–Outcome Measure (CORE-OM). It looks at several areas of your experience, including overall well-being, emotional distress, daily functioning, relationships, and safety concerns.
You will be asked to complete the CORE-OM near the beginning of counseling and again every other session during our work together. Comparing the results can help us identify meaningful improvements, possible setbacks, and areas that may need more attention.
The scores provide a source of information that we can review together. We will use both the data and your own experience to guide decisions about your goals, treatment plan, and whether our approach needs to change.
If the results suggest that you are not improving or that something is worsening we will discuss what may be contributing to that and decide together how to adjust our work.
-
That is common.
You do not need to arrive with a complete explanation or a list of goals. We can begin with what caused you to consider counseling now.
Sometimes that is a recent event. Sometimes it is a pattern that has been building for months or years. Sometimes the starting point is simply, “I am not sure what is wrong, but I do not feel like myself.”
Part of my job is helping you make the concern more specific.
-
Tell me.
You will not offend me by saying that a question, exercise, or direction does not feel useful. That feedback helps us understand what you need and adjust the work accordingly.
We can try a different approach, clarify the goal, or discuss whether another counselor may be a better fit.
Getting Started
-
The free consultation is a brief, approximately 15-minute phone conversation.
You can tell me a little about what is bringing you to counseling and ask questions about my approach, fees, scheduling, location, or anything else that affects your decision.
I may ask a few questions to determine whether my practice is appropriate for your needs.
The consultation is not a counseling session, and there is no obligation to schedule afterward. Its purpose is to help both of us decide whether moving forward makes sense.
-
The first session (Also known as the intake session) gives us time to understand what has been happening, how it has been affecting you, and what you hope will change.
We may discuss:
What led you to reach out
What has been difficult recently
How the concern affects work, school, relationships, sleep, motivation, or daily life
What you have already tried
Important life experiences or relationships
Previous counseling experiences
Relevant health, safety, or substance-use concerns
What you would like counseling to help you accomplish
The aim is to develop a useful starting picture without making the session feel like an interrogation.
Fees, Insurance & Payment
-
Individual counseling sessions are $100.
I have intentionally tried to keep my session fee accessible compared with many private-pay counseling rates in the local area.
Although the fee may appear to cover only the time we spend together, each appointment also involves work outside the session. This may include reviewing previous notes and assessments, preparing for our conversation, updating your treatment plan, completing documentation, tracking progress, and identifying resources or approaches that may support our work.
That preparation is included in the session fee. You are paying not only for the scheduled appointment, but for the professional care and attention that goes into supporting counseling before, during, and after we meet.
-
No. Currently Timmy Marrinan Counseling PLLC does not accept or bill insurance.
Remaining private pay keeps billing straightforward and allows counseling decisions to be based primarily on your goals and clinical needs rather than insurance requirements.
-
A limited number of reduced-fee openings may be available for clients experiencing financial barriers.
These openings are limited and may not always be available. You are welcome to ask about current availability during the consultation.
-
Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards can generally be processed through the practice payment system.
Because individual plans have different rules, you should verify eligibility with your HSA or FSA administrator.
Privacy, Safety & Professional Status
-
Counseling is private, with specific legal and ethical exceptions.
Exceptions may apply in circumstances involving immediate safety risks, suspected abuse or neglect, certain court orders, or other disclosures required by law.
Confidentiality and its limits are explained in greater detail in the informed consent paperwork before counseling begins. You are encouraged to ask questions about anything that is unclear.
-
Clinical supervisors may review clinical documentation and discuss cases as part of supervision and quality oversight.
Supervisors are also required to protect client confidentiality. More information about supervision and the handling of client information is included in the informed-consent documents.
-
No. Timmy Marrinan Counseling PLLC is an outpatient counseling practice and does not provide emergency or crisis-response services.
Do not use email, text, voicemail, the client portal, or the website contact form during an emergency.
When immediate help is needed, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For suicide, mental-health, or emotional-distress support, call 988, text 988, or use the 988 online chat.
Counseling with Me
-
I provide individual counseling for adults.
My practice has a particular focus on men and young adults, but you do not need to fall into either group to reach out. I welcome adults from different backgrounds, identities, stages of life, and levels of experience with counseling.
-
People come to counseling for many different reasons. Some have a specific problem they want to address. Others only know that something feels off, overwhelming, or unsustainable.
Common concerns include:
Anxiety and overthinking
Stress and burnout
Depression and discouragement
Motivation and procrastination
Perfectionism and self-criticism
Work, school, or career pressure
Life transitions
Relationship concerns
Communication and boundaries
Identity and purpose
Self-esteem
Men’s mental health
Feeling behind or uncertain about life direction
Difficulty making decisions
Feeling emotionally disconnected or stuck
-
My practice currently provides individual counseling for adults.
Relationship concerns can still be discussed in individual counseling.
I do not currently provide couples or family sessions.
My Counseling Style
-
No.
Emotions may be relevant, but counseling can also focus on situations, behaviors, decisions, relationships, expectations, habits, and practical next steps.
You do not have to describe your experience using words such as “healing,” “growth,” or “self-care” if those words do not feel natural to you. We can speak plainly about what is happening and what you would like to be different.
-
It means that we work together rather than assuming I automatically know what is best for you.
I try to be transparent about the counseling process, including what we are focusing on, why I may suggest a particular approach, and how we will evaluate whether the work is helping.
Beginning in the first session, we will work together to identify the goals that will guide counseling. You will also take an active role in creating your treatment plan, because you are the expert on your own life, experiences, priorities, and circumstances.
-
Both.
Listening carefully is important, but I will not only sit quietly and nod. I may ask questions, point out a pattern, offer another perspective, help you practice a skill, or suggest something to try between sessions.
My goal is to be actively involved without taking over the conversation or telling you how to live your life.
-
I prepare carefully for each session, but one thing I learned early in my counseling career is that every session follows its own path, often differently than either of us might have anticipated.
All that to say: sessions have some structure, but they are not scripted.
The structure helps us stay connected to your treatment goals, but there is also room to follow what emerges in the moment. Sometimes the most useful part of a session is not what either of us expected to discuss when it began.
-
It is a common misconception that counselors are primarily in the business of giving advice.
Most clients come to counseling with situations that do not have a clear-cut right or wrong response.
I may offer information, observations, possible options, or another way of looking at the situation. I may also make a practical recommendation when it is appropriate. However, I generally will not tell you what decision you should make.
The goal is not for you to become dependent on my answers. It is to help you understand the situation more clearly and make decisions you can take ownership of.
-
My work is grounded in person-centered counseling. Respect, honesty, collaboration, and your right to make your own decisions are central to the process.
Depending on your needs, I may also draw from:
Psychoeducation and practical coping skills
Location & Telehealth
-
My office is located at:
Timmy Marrinan Counseling PLLC
6909 West Ray Road
Chandler, Arizona 85226The office is near Ray Road and Priest Drive and is accessible from Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, and other East Valley communities.
-
Yes. Secure telehealth appointments are available throughout Arizona.
You will need a private location, a reliable internet connection, and a device with a camera and microphone.
Note: You must be physically located in Arizona at the time of a telehealth appointment. This applies even when you normally live in Arizona but are temporarily traveling in another state.
-
Telehealth is a completely appropriate option when it is more practical or convenient. Many clients are able to participate meaningfully and make progress through online counseling.
With that being said - All initial intake sessions are conducted in person at my Chandler office.
After the intake, I strongly recommend that at least the next several sessions also take place in person whenever reasonably possible. These early appointments are often important for building rapport, developing your treatment plan, and establishing momentum toward your goals.
I have found that meeting face to face provides the strongest foundation for this early work.
Scheduling & Communication
-
Appointments should be canceled or rescheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
Late cancellations and missed appointments may be charged according to the financial agreement provided before your first session.
Emergencies and unusual circumstances can be discussed individually, but contacting me as soon as possible is important.
-
Email and text can be useful for scheduling and brief administrative communication, but they may not be appropriate for detailed or highly sensitive clinical information.
The secure client portal is generally the better option for confidential practice communication.
Email, text messages, website forms, and voicemail should not be used for urgent or emergency situations.
When immediate help is needed, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For suicide, mental-health, or emotional-distress support, call 988, text 988, or use the 988 online chat.
-
I respond to routine messages during normal business operations as reasonably as possible.
Because this is not a crisis-response practice, messages are not continuously monitored, and an immediate response cannot be guaranteed.
When immediate help is needed, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For suicide, mental-health, or emotional-distress support, call 988, text 988, or use the 988 online chat.
Frequently Asked Questions
You do not need to understand counseling, know exactly what you want to work on, or be certain that therapy is right for you before reaching out.
This page answers some of the most common questions people ask about counseling with Timmy Marrinan Counseling PLLC.
At a glance
Individual counseling: Adults
Session fee: $100
Location: Chandler, Arizona
Online/Telehealth: Available throughout Arizona
Consultation: Free 15-minute phone call
Payment: Private pay; insurance is not accepted
Primary focus: Anxiety, stress, life transitions, motivation, relationships, men’s issues, and feeling stuck
General Counseling Questions
-
You do not have to prove that your problem is serious enough.
You may simply be noticing that the same issue keeps returning, that your usual ways of handling it are not working, or that you would benefit from talking with someone outside your everyday life.
-
Individual sessions generally last approximately 55 minutes.
-
We will decide together rather than assuming one schedule works for everyone.
Many clients begin with weekly sessions because meeting regularly helps us understand patterns, maintain momentum, and practice new responses.
Depending on your needs, progress, schedule, and finances, we may later discuss meeting every other week or at another appropriate frequency.
-
We will regularly discuss what has improved, what has stayed the same, and whether anything has become more difficult.
I also use brief assessments to help us track change over time. One of the primary measures I use is the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation–Outcome Measure (CORE-OM). It looks at several areas of your experience, including overall well-being, emotional distress, daily functioning, relationships, and safety concerns.
You will be asked to complete the CORE-OM near the beginning of counseling and again every other session during our work together. Comparing the results can help us identify meaningful improvements, possible setbacks, and areas that may need more attention.
The scores provide a source of information that we can review together. We will use both the data and your own experience to guide decisions about your goals, treatment plan, and whether our approach needs to change.
If the results suggest that you are not improving or that something is worsening we will discuss what may be contributing to that and decide together how to adjust our work.
-
That is common.
You do not need to arrive with a complete explanation or a list of goals. We can begin with what caused you to consider counseling now.
Sometimes that is a recent event. Sometimes it is a pattern that has been building for months or years. Sometimes the starting point is simply, “I am not sure what is wrong, but I do not feel like myself.”
Part of my job is helping you make the concern more specific.
-
Tell me.
You will not offend me by saying that a question, exercise, or direction does not feel useful. That feedback helps us understand what you need and adjust the work accordingly.
We can try a different approach, clarify the goal, or discuss whether another counselor may be a better fit.
Counseling with Me
-
I provide individual counseling for adults.
My practice has a particular focus on men and young adults, but you do not need to fall into either group to reach out. I welcome adults from different backgrounds, identities, stages of life, and levels of experience with counseling.
-
People come to counseling for many different reasons. Some have a specific problem they want to address. Others only know that something feels off, overwhelming, or unsustainable.
Common concerns include:
Anxiety and overthinking
Stress and burnout
Depression and discouragement
Motivation and procrastination
Perfectionism and self-criticism
Work, school, or career pressure
Life transitions
Relationship concerns
Communication and boundaries
Identity and purpose
Self-esteem
Men’s mental health
Feeling behind or uncertain about life direction
Difficulty making decisions
Feeling emotionally disconnected or stuck
-
My practice currently provides individual counseling for adults.
Relationship concerns can still be discussed in individual counseling.
I do not currently provide couples or family sessions.
My Counseling Style
-
No.
Emotions may be relevant, but counseling can also focus on situations, behaviors, decisions, relationships, expectations, habits, and practical next steps.
You do not have to describe your experience using words such as “healing,” “growth,” or “self-care” if those words do not feel natural to you. We can speak plainly about what is happening and what you would like to be different.
-
It means that we work together rather than assuming I automatically know what is best for you.
I try to be transparent about the counseling process, including what we are focusing on, why I may suggest a particular approach, and how we will evaluate whether the work is helping.
Beginning in the first session, we will work together to identify the goals that will guide counseling. You will also take an active role in creating your treatment plan, because you are the expert on your own life, experiences, priorities, and circumstances.
-
Both.
Listening carefully is important, but I will not only sit quietly and nod. I may ask questions, point out a pattern, offer another perspective, help you practice a skill, or suggest something to try between sessions.
My goal is to be actively involved without taking over the conversation or telling you how to live your life.
-
I prepare carefully for each session, but one thing I learned early in my counseling career is that every session follows its own path, often differently than either of us might have anticipated.
All that to say: sessions have some structure, but they are not scripted.
The structure helps us stay connected to your treatment goals, but there is also room to follow what emerges in the moment. Sometimes the most useful part of a session is not what either of us expected to discuss when it began.
-
It is a common misconception that counselors are primarily in the business of giving advice.
Most clients come to counseling with situations that do not have a clear-cut right or wrong response.
I may offer information, observations, possible options, or another way of looking at the situation. I may also make a practical recommendation when it is appropriate. However, I generally will not tell you what decision you should make.
The goal is not for you to become dependent on my answers. It is to help you understand the situation more clearly and make decisions you can take ownership of.
-
My work is grounded in person-centered counseling. Respect, honesty, collaboration, and your right to make your own decisions are central to the process.
Depending on your needs, I may also draw from:
Psychoeducation and practical coping skills
Getting Started
-
The free consultation is a brief, approximately 15-minute phone conversation.
You can tell me a little about what is bringing you to counseling and ask questions about my approach, fees, scheduling, location, or anything else that affects your decision.
I may ask a few questions to determine whether my practice is appropriate for your needs.
The consultation is not a counseling session, and there is no obligation to schedule afterward. Its purpose is to help both of us decide whether moving forward makes sense.
-
The first session (Also known as the intake session) gives us time to understand what has been happening, how it has been affecting you, and what you hope will change.
We may discuss:
What led you to reach out
What has been difficult recently
How the concern affects work, school, relationships, sleep, motivation, or daily life
What you have already tried
Important life experiences or relationships
Previous counseling experiences
Relevant health, safety, or substance-use concerns
What you would like counseling to help you accomplish
The aim is to develop a useful starting picture without making the session feel like an interrogation.
Location & Telehealth
-
My office is located at:
Timmy Marrinan Counseling PLLC
6909 West Ray Road
Chandler, Arizona 85226The office is near Ray Road and Priest Drive and is accessible from Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, and other East Valley communities.
-
Yes. Secure telehealth appointments are available throughout Arizona.
You will need a private location, a reliable internet connection, and a device with a camera and microphone.
Note: You must be physically located in Arizona at the time of a telehealth appointment. This applies even when you normally live in Arizona but are temporarily traveling in another state.
-
Telehealth is a completely appropriate option when it is more practical or convenient. Many clients are able to participate meaningfully and make progress through online counseling.
With that being said - All initial intake sessions are conducted in person at my Chandler office.
After the intake, I strongly recommend that at least the next several sessions also take place in person whenever reasonably possible. These early appointments are often important for building rapport, developing your treatment plan, and establishing momentum toward your goals.
I have found that meeting face to face provides the strongest foundation for this early work.
-
Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards can generally be processed through the practice payment system.
Because individual plans have different rules, you should verify eligibility with your HSA or FSA administrator.
Privacy, Safety & Professional Status
-
Counseling is private, with specific legal and ethical exceptions.
Exceptions may apply in circumstances involving immediate safety risks, suspected abuse or neglect, certain court orders, or other disclosures required by law.
Confidentiality and its limits are explained in greater detail in the informed-consent paperwork before counseling begins. You are encouraged to ask questions about anything that is unclear.
-
Clinical supervisors may review clinical documentation and discuss cases as part of supervision and quality oversight.
Supervisors are also required to protect client confidentiality. More information about supervision and the handling of client information is included in the informed-consent documents.
If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. I do not provide crisis services.
-
No. Timmy Marrinan Counseling PLLC is an outpatient counseling practice and does not provide emergency or crisis-response services.
Do not use email, text, voicemail, the client portal, or the website contact form during an emergency.
When immediate help is needed, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For suicide, mental-health, or emotional-distress support, call 988, text 988, or use the 988 online chat.
Fees, Insurance & Payment
-
Individual counseling sessions are $100.
I have intentionally tried to keep my session fee accessible compared with many private-pay counseling rates in the local area.
Although the fee may appear to cover only the time we spend together, each appointment also involves work outside the session. This may include reviewing previous notes and assessments, preparing for our conversation, updating your treatment plan, completing documentation, tracking progress, and identifying resources or approaches that may support our work.
That preparation is included in the session fee. You are paying not only for the scheduled appointment, but for the professional care and attention that goes into supporting counseling before, during, and after we meet.
-
No. Currently Timmy Marrinan Counseling PLLC does not accept or bill insurance.
Remaining private pay keeps billing straightforward and allows counseling decisions to be based primarily on your goals and clinical needs rather than insurance requirements.
-
A limited number of reduced-fee openings may be available for clients experiencing financial barriers.
These openings are limited and may not always be available. You are welcome to ask about current availability during the consultation.
-
Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards can generally be processed through the practice payment system.
Because individual plans have different rules, you should verify eligibility with your HSA or FSA administrator.
Scheduling & Communication
-
Appointments should be canceled or rescheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
Late cancellations and missed appointments may be charged according to the financial agreement provided before your first session.
Emergencies and unusual circumstances can be discussed individually, but contacting me as soon as possible is important.
-
Email and text can be useful for scheduling and brief administrative communication, but they may not be appropriate for detailed or highly sensitive clinical information.
The secure client portal is generally the better option for confidential practice communication.
Email, text messages, website forms, and voicemail should not be used for urgent or emergency situations.
When immediate help is needed, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For suicide, mental-health, or emotional-distress support, call 988, text 988, or use the 988 online chat.
-
I respond to routine messages during normal business operations as reasonably as possible.
Because this is not a crisis-response practice, messages are not continuously monitored, and an immediate response cannot be guaranteed.
When immediate help is needed, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For suicide, mental-health, or emotional-distress support, call 988, text 988, or use the 988 online chat.