1-800-THERAPIST NETWORK Scholarship Foundation

(This program will be modified for clients involved with the 1-800-THERAPIST LIVE COUNSELING events.)

What is the 1-800-THERAPIST NETWORK Counseling Scholarship?

It is a unique scholarship whereby the chosen applicant receives five sessions of counseling, which are paid for by the scholarship. It allows people who have not had the chance to experience counseling to try it out and see if they can improve their lives without incurring any financial expense.

Who can apply?

Anyone who lives in the US or Canada and who would like individual, couple, or family counseling can apply. We want people to make a commitment to try out the counseling for the entire five sessions before deciding to stop.

How to apply?

Call 1-800-THERAPIST and request a one-page application, which asks about your financial situation and asks you to write a paragraph on why you should be chosen for the scholarship.

How are the scholarships chosen?

We do not have many criteria as yet other than no family or friends of the members of the 1-800-THERAPIST NETWORK may apply. The applicant must be willing to commit to trying out this process for the entire five sessions and demonstrate a financial need.

When do I find out if I am accepted?

We have closing dates, after which the applicants will all receive a letter about whether or not they have been chosen.

Can you donate money to the 1-800-THERAPIST NETWORK Scholarship fund?

Yes. The more people that donate, the more needy people will receive treatment. The minimum donation is $50. When the fund reaches $250, another 1-800-THERAPIST NETWORK Scholarship will become available. No donated scholarship money is used for the administration of this fund-it all goes to help people receive counseling. This fund is entirely administered with donated time and energy. Financial donations are not tax deductible because 1-800-THERAPIST NETWORK does not have a tax-exempt status. The Scholarships are transferred directly to the counselor. Donations are made out to the

1-800-THERAPIST Scholarship fund (checks or money orders-cash is not accepted).

What is the Catch?

There is no catch. We are doing this to help people who might not otherwise be able to afford counseling, to receive the assistance they need. We hope this Scholarship fund will help to introduce people to the benefits of counseling. Our 1-800-THERAPIST members have been frustrated by managed care managers telling them how to do their business. We hope that these Scholarships will free our therapists across the US and Canada to again work with their full creative and intuitive skills. When we are not able to match the recipient with one of our screened members, then we will find them a licensed counselor near their home. The 1-800-THERAPIST NETWORK will donate the first two scholarships to the fund.

What happens when the five sessions are up? Can a recipient re-apply?

There is only so much that we can do at this time. Recipients of the Scholarship may not re-apply so that others have the same opportunity. Our hope is that after the five sessions, the Scholarship recipient will be able to continue learning and growing with other tools and skills learned in the counseling session. The recipient needs to sign an application stating that he or she understands that private counseling may not be an option after the scholarship runs out.

What are the details for applicants?

We choose a nearby counselor near the applicant's home--one with expertise in helping with the applicant's specific problem. The applicant has to commit to trying this out for the five sessions. Counselor shopping would use up all of the sessions. If the applicant decides not to continue with this counselor, then the counselor will keep the Scholarship money (There is no coercion to continue). If the applicant misses a session without 48 hours notice to the counselor, that will reduce the number of available sessions by one. Each Scholarship recipient will have 3 months to schedule and complete all of the five sessions from the time the Scholarship is awarded. The scholarships are non-transferable to other parties. Individuals who have never been in counseling before will be given priority. We hope the applicants will understand that the participating therapists are providing counseling at a rate which is often quite a lot lower than their regular fee as a community service donation.

What are the details for the counselors?

The selected counselor must send a copy of a valid license and malpractice insurance to the 1-800-THERAPIST NETWORK before being considered as the Scholarship counselor. The counselor agrees to see the client for five sessions, which last at least 45 minutes each without interruption. At the end of the five sessions, the counselor is required to send the 1-800-THERAPIST NETWORK a postcard stating that the sessions have been completed or that the 3 months have expired without the client re-scheduling an appointment. The counselor agrees to be flexible and willing to work together with the client in scheduling appointments. Screened members of 1-800-THERAPIST are the first priority. If there is no 1-800-THERAPIST member within 60 miles of the recipient, then other therapists will be contacted and screened.

Can the counselor require a co-payment?

No. Even though it is widely accepted that paying a co-payment can be therapeutically beneficial, for the purpose of entirely removing the financial barrier to treatment, the therapists are required to take the Scholarship payment as payment in full for the 5 sessions.

What are the benefits to the counselor?

The counselor will have counseling sessions paid $50 in advance including "no-shows" for five sessions. There will be no managed care interference with the counselor's treatment. Therapists will be able to help people in financial need-clients who may not have been able to receive assistance in the past, will now have an option. If the client does not complete the five sessions within 3 months, then the counselor will keep the remaining scholarship amount.

No donations requested at this time.