Counseling Services
HISTORY
Vernon Center Counseling Services technically began in July 2011, but the seed was planted in the mid-'80s when Daniel was working towards finishing his master's degree in counseling in Baltimore. He never finished due to a job opportunity in another field. In 2007, at age 48, he began studies at Minnesota State and finished with a master's degree in mental health counseling. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor (Minnesota License #1084) and National Certified Counselor (Certification No. 277176). His wife since 1990, Carolyn, occasionally helps as Office Manager.
Outside the field of counseling, he is a self-syndicated newspaper columnist with "Disabilities", a Joni and Friends ministry associate, a magazine editor, and book author. To help facilitate his work involving people with disabilities and Joni and Friends, he became a Certified Christian Worker through International Ministerial Fellowship of Minneapolis. He has an interest in helping families, married couples, and individuals trying to manage and improve relationship issues, post-traumatic stress, grief and loss, physical disability, alcohol and drug dependence, career and other life decisions, borderline (with DBT), anxiety, depression, and many other challenges. He enjoys working with anyone. He enjoys helping people get through their challenges.
Daniel also works as a therapist for Footnotes Family Counseling, and through it sees clients in North Mankato.
DIRECTIONS
From Fairmont: Take US 15 north to MN 30 East. Continue on until reaching US 169 north of Amboy. Take US 169 north to Vernon Center. Make the first right (Kendell Street) in town and take that until dead-ending at the former Vernon Center School. Park in the lot on the north end and use that entrance.
From Blue Earth: Take US 169 north. Then follow directions from Amboy as shown above.
From Mankato: Take US 169/MN 60 west of Mankato five miles until reaching the radio tower. (This is exactly halfway between Mankato and Lake Crystal.) MN 60 goes straight there and US 169 goes south/left. Go on US 169 south 14 miles until reaching Vernon Center. Take the last left in town, Kendell Street, and drive until dead-ending at the former Vernon Center School. Park in the parking lot on the north side and use that entrance.
From Madelia and St. James: Take County 9 south of Madelia. Take a left onto Blue Earth County 10. Follow County 10 into Vernon Center. Make a right at US 169, a left onto Kendell Street, the last left in town coming from the north, and take that until it dead-ends at Vernon Center School. Park in the parking lot on the north side and use that entrance.
A MESSAGE FROM DANIEL
WHAT TO EXPECT:
My practice involves individual, couples or family therapy for anyone over age 6. My primary theoretical orientation is cognitive-behavioral. However, I am trained in and draw on other approaches at times, including solution-focused therapy.
THE COUNSELING PROCESS: Within the first few sessions, we will establish goals for our work and craft a treatment plan likely to help you achieve those goals. Counseling can be effective when counselor and client work collaboratively. I expect you to come to your sessions on time, complete your homework, and do your best to talk about the concerns, behaviors, thoughts, and feelings bothering you. Although usually resulting in positive mood, behavioral, and relationship changes, counseling may also lead to unanticipated, unwanted change. If anything about our counseling bothers you, I urge you to address your concerns in session.
YOUR RIGHTS: You have the right to full information about your treatment plan and to play an active role in it. You have the right to be free from being the subject of discrimination on the basis of race, relation, gender, or other categories while receiving services. You have the right to receive a copy of the code of ethics I follow, ask questions about the counseling process, express concerns, obtain a second opinion, terminate counseling, and to contact appropriate state and national organizations if you have doubts or complaints about our work together. My license was issued by the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy. It's at 2829 University Avenue SE Suite 201, Minneapolis MN, 55414-3250. As required by Minnesota statute 144.652, a complete copy of your client rights is available at all times as a handout in my office.
CONFIDENTIALITY: Confidentiality is maintained as part of the counseling process in accord with my profession's ethical standards. Your written authorization is required for release of information or records, such as to your physician. Exceptions to confidentiality are made in the event of court order, clear and imminent danger to you or another person, or suspected abuse of children, the disabled, or the elderly. In addition, as required by Minnesota statute, all LPCs must work under supervision for a period of time after initial licensure. My supervisor is John Rapking, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. It is possible your particular case may be discussed with him; if this does happen, your name and other identifying information will be masked to protect your identity. Also, I sometimes take notes during sessions. This helps me obtain a richer understanding of our work together, which may lead to more effective ways to help you reach your goals. All notes are kept in a locked file cabinet. You may see these notes at any time. They are yours and for your benefit.
FEES, PAYMENTS, and CANCELLATIONS: My standard fee is $65 per hour for a one-hour session. The intake session fee is $85 for 90 minutes. Also, like a growing number of professional counselors, I am fee for service only, so for payment I accept cash or check and do not accept insurance. Payment should be made before you leave each session. No charge will be made for brief telephone conversations to schedule, change or confirm appointments. If having a Health Savings Account (HSA), you should qualify for reimbursement, but be sure to check with your HSA first. For cancellations, try to give 48 hours notice.
COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING POLICIES FOR EMERGENCIES: My office telephone number is 549-3637 and my email address is danieljvance@gmail.com. You may leave messages on my voice mail at any time. I regularly check voice mail and email and will reply soon as possible. If you cannot safely wait for my reply, please go to your nearest hospital emergency room or dial 911.