Questions are welcome.

You do not need to know your diagnosis before contacting us. Private-pay clients do not need a referral, and most insurance plans allow you to contact a counselor directly. Some plans or programs require a referral or authorization, so we’ll help you identify what to confirm before your first appointment.

Start with the people you need support for, the concerns you want to address, and practical needs such as age range, session format and payment. Read the clinician’s introduction to get a sense of their approach. If several profiles fit, use Help Me Choose or call our office.

You can talk with your clinician or contact the office about what is not working for you. Ask whether another clinician’s approach, availability or experience might be a better fit. We can help you explore the available options without assuming that every clinician is interchangeable.

Your first conversation gives you space to explain what brought you in, ask questions, and discuss what you hope will change. Your clinician will explain how they work and review important practice information. You do not need a polished story or a list of goals to begin.

Yes. Call or send a brief inquiry to our office about clinician fit, scheduling or payment. You do not need to include your clinical history in ordinary email. Asking a practical question does not commit you to scheduling.

An online request is a starting point, not a confirmed appointment. The office reviews the request and helps confirm the clinician, time, format and payment arrangements. Follow the confirmation instructions you receive before attending.

The online portal shows only the appointment options made available there. Call the office if you cannot find a suitable time, need help choosing a clinician, or want to ask about availability. Do not assume an empty calendar means every clinician is unavailable.

Once the office gives you portal access, look for the welcome email and any requested intake forms. Complete and submit the assigned paperwork, confirm your appointment details, and ask about fees or benefits beforehand. If a form is confusing or difficult to access, contact the office for help.

Use the appointment options available in your Client Portal or contact the office. Review the cancellation policy provided with your intake paperwork, including any applicable notice requirement or fee. If the portal does not let you make a change, call rather than assuming the appointment has been canceled.

Open the profile of the clinician you are considering. Fees and listed networks are specific to that clinician. If information is missing, ask the office before scheduling; a blank field does not mean care is free or a plan is declined.

A network listing does not establish your exact cost. Ask about your plan’s benefits, deductible, copay or coinsurance, the service you are requesting, and any authorization requirements. The office can help identify what needs to be checked before the appointment.

Private pay means you pay the agreed session fee yourself rather than having the clinician bill an insurance plan for that session. Confirm the fee for your service before you begin. A private-pay fee is not the same as an insurance copay.

These options vary by clinician. Check the individual profile and ask the office about the arrangements that are actually available. A superbill can document services for a claim you submit to your plan, but it does not guarantee reimbursement. Reduced-fee options may have eligibility and availability limits.

Check each clinician’s listed session formats. Some offer in-person appointments, telehealth, or both. Tell the office which you prefer and where you will physically be for a virtual appointment so the clinician can confirm whether that arrangement is available and appropriate.

Confirm the appointment and connection instructions. Choose a private place, check your internet, camera and microphone, and have a way to contact the office if the connection fails. Let your clinician know where you will be joining from, especially if you are traveling.

Clear Skies Counseling is at 4400 Buffalo Gap Road, Suite 3975, Abilene, TX 79606. Confirm your appointment before visiting. Contact the office for directions to the suite or to discuss an access need before you arrive.

Use the link in your SimplePractice welcome email or the Client Portal button on this website. Once our office has enabled access, select the existing-client option, even before your first visit. Use the email address we have on file.

For email-link sign-in, you do not need a separate SimplePractice password. Enter the email address associated with your portal, select Send Link, and open the newest sign-in email. Follow its sign-in button to access your account. If offered, Google sign-in is a separate option using your Google account.

Yes. After the practice enables your portal access, download SimplePractice Client Portal from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android). Sign in using the email associated with your account and follow the emailed link. The features you can use depend on the access enabled by the practice.

Check spam, junk and other filtered folders. Make sure you entered the same email address the office has on file. Use the most recent sign-in message if you requested several links. If you are still stuck, call the office to confirm access and your email address; we can help with the appropriate invitation or sign-in step.