Frequently Asked Questions
policies
WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION POLICY?
All appointments for counseling must be cancelled at least 24 hours in advance. You may cancel by calling the front office and speaking to a staff member or leaving voicemail. You will incur a charge for appointments not cancelled 24 hours in advance unless there is an emergency or illness. Monday appointments must be cancelled on the previous Friday, please. Cancellations by email are not accepted.
PAYMENT FOR THERAPY
Daystar accepts cash, check, or credit card. You may: 1) Leave a check made payable to “Daystar Counseling Ministries” in the check box located in the lobby, 2) Call the next business day to pay over the phone or 3) Place a credit card on file & receive a mailed receipt at the end of each month. Credit Card charges are run on the last day of the month, and you receive a statement 3-4 days prior.
DOES DAYSTAR ACCEPT INSURANCE?
We do not file insurance claims, and we are not paneled by any insurers. All families are responsible for paying Daystar directly for services rendered. If a family’s insurance provider or another third party will be covering costs of counseling, then arrangements will need to be made by the family with the insurance carrier for reimbursement. The family would then be responsible for obtaining and filling out any appropriate paperwork and submitting it to the insurance company. Be aware that many insurance companies will ask for an ICD 10 diagnosis code. Daystar does not provide diagnose codes.
WHY DOESN'T DAYSTAR DIAGNOSE?
Because children are still changing and growing, it is Daystar’s longstanding policy to not diagnose. We recommend seeing your pediatrician or a psychologist to provide a diagnosis. If this is necessary, your counselor will be able to provide further guidance in this process.
WHEN DOES DAYSTAR CLOSE FOR HOLIDAYS?
We typically close the office for Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, Evening in December, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & the day after, New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day July 4.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY SESSION IS CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER?
Unless the entire office is closed or you have heard directly from your counselor, individual counseling sessions will continue as normal. You may also move your appointment to a virtual appointment by calling the front office.
WHAT IF I AM INVOLVED IN A LEGAL SITUATION?
We find that the litigation process itself may become a barrier to our effectiveness and a detriment to the client's progress, and we may discuss with you whether we should make a referral to a different counselor outside of Daystar. If you are involved in some type of court proceeding, any requests for information will be directed to Daystar’s legal counsel first, in an effort to maintain confidentiality. Your counselor cannot provide any information to the court or legal representation without written authorization or a court order. If you are contemplating litigation, we recommend that you inquire further with your counselor or the front office about Daystar’s policy regarding litigation.
WHAT IS YOUR INFORMED CONSENT POLICY?
Read here.
DO YOU OFFER VIRTUAL COUNSELING FOR OUT-OF-TOWN CLIENTS?
We are only licensed to offer counseling to clients with permanent residence in the state of Tennessee. However, we are able offer parent consultations regardless of where you live.
communication
WHY HAVEN'T I RECEIVED A CALL BACK YET?
We get a high volume of phone calls every day. The most effective way to receive a return call is to leave a brief voicemail. Each voicemail is documented and returned within 24 business hours. Any calls after 3pm on Friday will be returned Monday. On rare occasions due to unusual circumstances, there may be an additional 24-48 hour delay in the returned call.
WHAT INFORMATION SHOULD I LEAVE ON MY VOICEMAIL?
1. Your name & one phone number
2. Your child’s name & their counselor’s name
3. A very brief explanation of the nature of your call
CAN I HAVE MY COUNSELOR'S CELL NUMBER OR EMAIL? CAN WE BE FRIENDS ON SOCIAL MEDIA?
In order to be HIPAA compliant, counselors do not give out any personal contact information. All general communication goes through the front office. If you need to communicate with your child's existing counselor between appointments, you may leave a confidential voicemail at the office. If you need more than five minutes to discuss your situation, please schedule an appointment. They will respond, to the best of their ability, within 24 hours on the days they are working in the office.
WHAT IF I DON'T WANT TO TAKE MY CHILD OUT OF SCHOOL FOR COUNSELING?
We provide many opportunities for after school appointments, but keep in mind that all of our 1,700+ school age clients prefer those sessions, so they fill up quickly. Often, the quickest way to get an appointment would be to come during school hours. We also offer a waiting list for appointments that may open up last minute. All of Daystar’s group counseling sessions occur after school as well.
HOW CAN MY CHILD BE EXCUSED FROM SCHOOL?
The front office will provide you with a school note upon request.
HOW DO I JOIN DAYSTAR'S MAILING LIST? HOW DO I GET TAKEN OFF?
Join Daystar’s mailing list through the blue button at the very bottom of this page…We’d love to stay in touch! To be taken off our mailing list, please email maryspencer@daystarcounseling.com. To unsubscribe from emails, click the link at the bottom of any Daystar email you receive.
NEW CLIENTS
I'M NEW HERE! HOW DO I SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT?
Learn how to get involved here.
WHAT IF MY CHILD IS IN CRISIS AND NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION?
Daystar is not set up for emergencies. If your child is experiencing a life threatening crisis, please call 911 or the crisis hotline (855-274-7471). For the child’s safety, if a child is expressing suicidal ideation, he or she must be taken to the hospital before we can see him or her for counseling.
WHERE DO I PARK?
Parking Available:
Lot connected to the Daystar house by the white picket fence
Overflow lot : drive past the Daystar house to the lot with the pavilion
Marked street spaces at the children’s park on Azalea Place
Gravel lot behind the Daystar house
Never Park
Along the gray fence or immediately behind the house
On the street
In the gravel lot across the street attached to the gray house
Police will ticket.
DO YOU COUNSEL ADULTS OR FAMILIES?
We see children and adolescents. Our counseling emphasis is on the child, but the parents are very involved in that process. Sometimes other family members may be included at the counselor’s discretion as needed.
ARE BOTH PARENTS REQUIRED TO AGREE TO A CHILD'S COUNSELING?
In order for us to provide the best support for your child, we need support from both parents. In the case of divorce and shared decision-making power, we need to have a copy of your parenting agreement on file. Equally, we require both parents to sign the intake form as their way of communicating consent from both parents for us to enter into a counseling relationship with your child.
CAN I BRING AN EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBER OR A FRIEND'S CHILD FOR COUNSELING?
For the front office to schedule a client, they must have a parent or legal guardian call to make the initial appointment.
WHAT IF I AM ALLERGIC TO DOGS?
We do have dogs at the office every day, but if you have a child with allergies, we can make arrangements for a dog not to be present in the counseling office. Please let us know that request on your initial phone call. Many of our dogs are considered hypoallergenic.
groups
HOW DOES MY CHILD GET INVOLVED IN GROUP COUNSELING? CAN I SKIP THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT?
Our groups are made up of children and adolescents of the same gender and age group. In order to join one of our weekly groups, a client must first go through the initial assessment process with one of our directors, and then meet several times individually with their assigned individual counselor. Our counselors feel strongly that it’s important for children to be intentionally placed in a specific group in order to best benefit each individual involved in the group.
WHAT DOES THE COMMITMENT TO GROUP LOOK LIKE?
By registering your child for group, you are reserving his or her place for the full semester. Because we believe in the value of weekly participation, you will be billed for a full semester of groups. If Daystar cancels a group due to weather or illness of a counselor, that session will be refunded. Our billing system requires each group be billed separately. Payment is due each month. However, if you prefer to pay weekly or for the entire semester, we can apply that money to your account.
WHAT DOES GROUP CONFIDENTIALITY LOOK LIKE?
Our Group Policy also requires each group member to honor a confidentiality agreement at the start of their semester to further ensure our groups are and continue to be a safe space for students to share. Group counseling may be recommended for your child by their counselor. Groups meet weekly at a specific time and are a commitment on the part of the child and family. Every child who participates in a group counseling session, agrees in writing to the bounds of confidentiality. They are made aware of the necessity of privacy and confidentiality, and that they will be released from their particular group if they violate confidentiality of a group member. With our groups, we often have dinner in a public location. Conversations in public will be limited to information the child feels comfortable sharing and every effort will be made to have any type of personal conversation out of earshot of any bystanders.
WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD BRING TO GROUP?
An integral part of each group involves dinner out or at the Daystar House. Your child will need about $10 each week for their meal. Popular group eating spots are Baja Burrito, Panera, Zoe’s Kitchen, Pizza, Firehouse Subs, Subway, Sonic, Wendy’s, etc.
WHERE IS DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP?
It is imperative you pick up your child on time from group. Each of our counselors have scheduled appointments following groups and cannot be available to supervise kids. Drop offs and pick ups will either be at the Front Entrance of Daystar or Lower Parking Lot on West Iris. Parents will sign a release and waiver prior to the first group of the semester.
WHEN IS GROUP CANCELLED FOR HOLIDAYS?
Groups break for the Wednesday and Thursday of Thanksgiving week, Evening in December Dec. 6, Christmas holidays, Martin Luther King Day and summer.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY GROUP IS CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER?
Groups follow Metro Nashville Public School closings.
summer
HOW DOES MY CHILD ATTEND DAY CAMP AT THE DAYSTAR HOUSE?
Let your counselor know that you are interested in joining. Registration opens around March with priority for currently involved clients.
HOW DOES MY CHILD ATTEND HOPETOWN SUMMER SESSIONS IN KENTUCKY?
Talk with your counselor to see if your child is ready for Hopetown. Online registration opens for returning campers & current clients (approved by their counselor) in early January. All other interested families are welcome to apply in February. Please be aware that sessions fill up extremely quickly. You will receive a confirm email if your child is accepted and payment is due immediately to secure your spot.
MY CHILD IS REGISTERED FOR HOPETOWN. WHERE DO I FIND MORE INFORMATION?
Everything you need is on your CampMinder account that you created to register your child for Hopetown. This includes pick up and drop off information, required health forms, rules and packing lists. that you created to register your child.
HELP! I CAN'T LOG IN TO MY CAMPMINDER ACCOUNT!
Email susan@daystarcounseling with the subject line “Reset CampMinder Password.” Each camper’s family must have access to this account as it contains all health forms required to be filled out prior to attending camp, as well as other important information.
INTERNSHIPS
HOW DO I APPLY FOR A COUNSELING INTERNSHIP?
Graduate students may direct all inquires to the front office 615-298-5353.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR A DEVELOPMENT INTERNSHIP?
We welcome college students looking for an internship during fall, spring, or summer semesters! Learn more by emailing maryspencer@daystarcounseling.com.
