Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some answers to questions that come up in the process of rendering services through ITTC.

INQUIRY LIST QUESTIONS

Why do you have an inquiry list instead of a waitlist?

An inquiry list is compiled of clients who have an interest in attending ITTC but have yet to be assessed for appropriateness of fit. Once you have been assessed, you will either be paired with a clinician or referred out to services that better fit your current needs. For more information on please see the “SCOPE OF PRACTICE & LIMITATIONS QUESTIONS” section of FAQ’s.

How long is the inquiry list?

Wait times are highly unpredictable and dependent on a number of factors that are out of our control. Under some circumstances, there is no wait… in others, up to twelve weeks. In general, the more flexibility you can offer, the sooner we can find space for you.

I have applied, how do I know you received my intake request form/how will I get a follow-up?

Due to the volume of intake requests we receive; we cannot contact every person immediately. We will contact you as soon as we have it available. If you do not hear from us within 3-6 weeks, then feel free to reach out to the front desk or through our contact us page.

Can I pick the provider I want to see?

You may make a provider request on the intake request form; however, we cannot guarantee that provider has openings and may increase wait times dramatically. We may make a suggestion to another provider based on your information and the provider request you made, which you are able to accept or refuse. *

*Members of the clinical management team may not be requested.

What if I don't like my therapist, can I switch? How often?

If after the first or second time that you meet with your assigned clinician you do not feel a therapeutic connection, you may reach out to the front desk and request a transfer. If you have been meeting with your clinician for more than three sessions, because of our authorization process, you will need to go through your clinician to request a transfer.

SERVICES RENDERED QUESTIONS

How are services provided?

After an initial assessment and level of care is determined by one of our clinicians, your treatment plan will be developed. Frequency of individual visits will be based upon your level of need, with the average being once every other week. However, all clients, regardless of level of need, have access to group therapies. Our groups run frequently, and we are also adding more. If you feel there is a group you would like to see us offer, please let us know and we will do our best to add it.

Is it possible to have weekly individual sessions?

Frequency of individual sessions are based on level of care and/or need. If you and your clinician determine it would be clinically appropriate for you to be seen weekly based on your treatment goals, your clinician may submit a request for weekly sessions to our utilization management team. Weekly sessions are always used as a short-term intervention and approval is reassessed at the end of the approved intervention authorization period.

When can I start EMDR?

EMDR is a highly effective modality that has proven successful in processing past trauma. Because EMDR is a powerful tool, it is not appropriate for everyone as it can result in an exacerbation of symptoms. Before beginning EMDR for the purpose of processing trauma, ITTC clinicians assess for appropriateness to ensure safety.

Prior to engagement in EMDR, there are several steps to take, which can be implemented by any clinician. Therefore, your primary clinician will not be assigned based on an EMDR specialization, but other criteria that we assess for utilizing our website intake request form.

If you’re primary clinician does not utilize EMDR and it is a modality deemed appropriate for your treatment goals, once you are ready to engage in EMDR, you will be transferred to an EMDR trained clinician to engage in the process.

Can I see you for only medication management?

Yes, but you must have a primary therapist and be willing to sign an ROI for that therapist.

Can I be seen for only groups?

Yes, but for cash pay only regardless of insurance coverage and you must have a primary therapist and be willing to sign an ROI for that therapist.

*Support Groups are open and free to the community, please see our Open Support Groups page or reach out to the front desk for more information.

Can I see you and keep my current therapist?

If you have a primary individual therapist you wish to keep, then you may come to ITTC for support services such as: medication management, group therapy, alternative therapies*, and body therapies*.
Medication management will be covered by insurance, while all other supports will be cash pay only regardless of insurance coverage.

*when available

SCOPE OF PRACTICE & LIMITATIONS QUESTIONS

Can you help with substance use or addictive behaviors?

Due to the nature of our contracts, we cannot address active substance dependence. If you are recovering from substance use/dependence, we require at least 6 months of sobriety and active supports in your life.

If you are currently actively using substances, our intake coordinator or one of our clinicians will complete an assessment and make a determination from there if we need to refer you to a more suitable agency to meet your needs.

Why do I need 6 months of sobriety?

The nature of working through past trauma can be difficult. Substance use and addiction are often exacerbated by this process; thus sobriety needs to solidly be established prior to engaging in trauma therapy. It is imperative that those who enter treatment with ITTC have a minimum of 6 months of sobriety and a strong support network outside of ITTC to help maintain sobriety.

If I have housing insecurity, why am I referred out?

Generally, prior to engaging in trauma therapy, life circumstances need to be relatively stable. This includes having a predictable place to sleep, the ability to address activities of daily living and hygiene, the ability to ensure regular meals are accessible and medical needs are taken care of. Due to the nature of our contracts, ITTC cannot offer intensive case management services and thus we are unable to help address these challenges faced by many people in our community. However, we can facilitate connecting those in need to trusted partners who have expertise and capacity in connecting community members to local resources.

Why don’t you provide case management?

Due to the nature of our contracts and the size of ITTC we simply do not have the capacity or resources to provide case management.

I’m in crisis, how soon can I get in?

ITTC is not a crisis center and our clinician’s schedules are often very tight. If you are in an immediate crisis or your safety is at risk, please call the Multnomah Crisis line, 911, or visit your closest emergency department.

If you are not in an immediate crisis and your safety is not at risk, feel free to contact the front desk to see if your clinician has a cancellation appointment available. THIS IS NOT A GUARANTEE.

ITTC POLICIES QUESTIONS

What is the "engagement policy" and why do you have one?

Engagement Policy: If clients consistently do not attend scheduled appointments at a rate of 50% or more, regardless of time of cancellation, ITTC reserves the right to terminate and refer out.

ITTC recognizes the challenges associated with working through past trauma. Consistency in attending appointments is crucial to the success of the process. Should life challenge impede the ability to make appointment times on a regular basis, this is an indicator that the timing may not be right, and we cannot provide successful treatment without regular and predictable attendance.

Due to the length of our waitlist, we need to offer services to clients who are consistently engaged. If you are referred out due to lack of engagement, we welcome you back as soon as you are ready to begin again.

How many sessions can I miss before my file is closed?

If clients consistently do not attend scheduled appointments at a rate of 50% or more, regardless of time of cancellation, they may be terminated and referred out.  If a client No-Show’s or cancels less than 24-hours in advance more than twice in a 6-month period, they may be terminated and referred out.

Why isn't there contact with the therapist in between sessions?

 ITTC is a relatively small agency, we cannot offer crisis support and our clinicians have tight schedules.

INSURANCE, FEES, AND SLIDING SCALE QUESTIONS

What CCO's do you take?

We work with Healthshare/CareOregon, Yamhill, and Trillium.

Is your facility in network with my insurance?

For commercial insurances, we are currently paneled with Bluecross Blueshield/Regence*, Moda, Providence and Pacific Source**. Please see our Fees & Insurance page for more information.

**Pacific Sources offers some plans that we may not be in network with, please check with your insurance provider to ensure your coverage.
*Not all providers are covered under all insurance plans

Do you accept Medicare?

Unfortunately, at this time, we cannot accept Medicare. Please see our Fees & Insurance page for more information.

Can you bill my Secondary insurance?

Unfortunately, at this time, we cannot bill secondary insurance, regardless of payor. Please see our Fees & Insurance page for more information.

Do you offer a sliding scale?

Our sliding scale rates are reserved for student interns only. Please see our Fees & Insurance page for more information.