Membership Questions and Answers
Membership & Application Process
What do I get as an association member?
We are different from a traditional group or private practice. All of our members are independent private practice owners who contract with us for administrative support in starting a business, billing services, set up with insurance companies, group consultations both online and in-person with other counselors, and a supportive community of counselors. You will also meet quarterly with one of our Founders to check in about how the Association is supporting you. Our model is a stepping stone that guides therapists to start and develop their private practice on their own terms.
How do I apply to be a part of this association?
The first step is to fill out an application! Once we receive and review your application, we’ll reach out to schedule an interview.
What qualifications do I need to apply?
You must be a fully licensed mental health therapist who can legally practice with clients and is licensed in the state of Washington. You can apply to join when you are provisionally licensed and awaiting your license, but our services won’t be available until you are fully licensed. Additionally, you will have to go through an interview process so that we can assess fit and ensure that we can fulfill your needs.
If I'm an LMHCA, can I join?
Our association is for fully-licensed clinicians only, but we would be happy to chat with you about your interest to learn more about your licensure timeline! Feel free to send us an email so we can discuss next steps.
Business Structure
Is this a group practice?
No - we are not structured the same as a group practice. Clinicians in our Association are not employees - they manage their own practices, choose their own hours, choose how much they want to work, and manage their own overhead (office space, internet, etc).
There are a few other nuanced differences between our Association and group practices. We are happy to talk more with you about these details.
Once I join, am I considered an employee?
No. We provide guidance to you so that you can run your own business successfully. Coastline Counseling Association is just that - an association of independently licensed therapists.
Is this a long-term contract or time commitment?
No. We help you to set up your practice, establish all of the details so that you can get off the ground, and will start you off with credentialing, contracting, and billing.
Once you are set up and have completed a certain amount of client sessions, you can end your contract or choose to stay with the association. We begin with a 12-month contract but that is waived if people complete their client supported sessions before that.
Will you match me with clients?
We do not interact with potential clients in any way. If someone contacts us as a prospective client, we will automatically send them to our Team page so they can contact therapists directly. The only client contact within the Association is around billing. Our biller will contact your clients regarding insurance coverage, but she will be working with you and your clients directly.
Will you teach me to use electronic health records?
When you are a part of the Association, we require you to utilize Simple Practice as your EHR (this is to streamline billing services). We will offer general guidance on how to use this platform, combined with tutorials provided by Simple Practice that will walk you through their software. We will provide direct links to their tutorials on their website, including documentation, billing, telehealth, client communication, HIPAA-compliant client communication, and scheduling.
You will have your own account with Simple Practice for client documentation and all-things insurance billing (claim status, unpaid balances, analytic reports, etc.).
Do you look through my client files or progress notes?
Absolutely not. Our biller only has access to your account for billing purposes. If you would like support in setting up your account, we will assist you.
What insurance companies can I take after working with you?
Through our insurance contracting process, our biller will submit applications to any insurance company with which you have an interest in being contracted.
Can I do my own billing while I'm a part of your association?
Part of the services we offer in the association includes billing through our identified biller.
If you decide to leave the association and want to do your own billing, our biller offers education and training to learn all the steps in this process. If you have interest in this, our biller can talk with you about a timeline and fees.
If you prefer to do your own billing, our Association is not a good fit for your needs.
Can I stay on longer for the billing, community support, and consultation?
Yes. We would discuss this option with you and provide you with the option to add an addendum to your contract. This contract would look a bit different since you will no longer need help in building your practice and will be fully contracted and credentialed with insurance once you complete your initial contract!
Client-Related Questions
Will you match me with clients?
We do not interact with potential clients in any way. If someone contacts us as a prospective client, we will automatically send them to our Team page so they can contact therapists directly. The only client contact within the Association is around billing. Our biller will contact your clients regarding insurance coverage, but she will be working with you and your clients directly.
Do you look through my client files or progress notes?
Absolutely not. Our biller only has access to your account for billing purposes. If you would like support in setting up your account, we will assist you.
Administrative and Billing Support
Will you teach me to use electronic health records?
When you are a part of the Association, we require you to utilize Simple Practice as your EHR (this is to streamline billing services). We will offer general guidance on how to use this platform, combined with tutorials provided by Simple Practice that will walk you through their software. We will provide direct links to their tutorials on their website, including documentation, billing, telehealth, client communication, HIPAA-compliant client communication, and scheduling.
You will have your own account with Simple Practice for client documentation and all-things insurance billing (claim status, unpaid balances, analytic reports, etc.).
Can I do my own billing while I'm a part of your association?
Part of the services we offer in the association includes billing through our identified biller.
If you decide to leave the association and want to do your own billing, our biller offers education and training to learn all the steps in this process. If you have interest in this, our biller can talk with you about a timeline and fees.
If you prefer to do your own billing, our Association is not a good fit for your needs.
Can I stay on longer for the billing, community support, and consultation?
Yes. We would discuss this option with you and provide you with the option to add an addendum to your contract. This contract would look a bit different since you will no longer need help in building your practice and will be fully contracted and credentialed with insurance once you complete your initial contract!
Insurance and Compliance
What insurance companies can I take after working with you?
Through our insurance contracting process, our biller will submit applications to any insurance company with which you have an interest in being contracted.
Do You Have More Questions? Let's Talk.
Contact us to discuss the application process, membership benefits, fee structure, and more.