River Birch
Counseling & Wellness
Services
River Birch Counseling & Wellness provides mental health counseling to assist you in navigating the following:
Mental Health Challenges
Anxiety Disorders
Depression
ADHD
Trauma
Relationship Issues
Communication Skills
Conflict Management
Restoring Connection
Blended Family Issues
Divorce Adjustment
Stages of Life
Education/Career Challenges
Life Transitions
Personal Growth
Stress Management
Why Wellness?
The word “wellness” often suggests practices that are oriented toward life coaching or body-centered therapies. I want to clarify that I am not actually offering “wellness” services per se. However, as a mental health and relationship expert, the concept of wellness is integral to how I conceive of whole personal health. Wellness goes beyond an absence of pathology to include the overall balance of physical, emotional, intellectual, relational, environmental, spiritual, and occupational well-being.
Wellness is woven into my practice from start to finish. From the first session on, I want to understand your daily life beyond your concerns or symptoms to promote an experience of health that is resilient, life affirming, and supportive of achieving your full potential.
I don’t believe in pushing or preaching. I do believe in presenting facts based on good science and promoting optimal mental health in key areas of wellness.
What Are The Key Areas Of Wellness?
Physical Wellness
- adequate movement
- eating for mental health
- sufficient, high quality sleep
- stress management skills.
I don't pressure or lecture you about your lifestyle.
Environmental Wellness
- safety and health in your home, work, and community
- time spent in nature.
Emotional Wellness
- recognize and manage difficult emotions
- view all emotions as a normal, valid, and valued aspect of being human
- have self-compassion and a strong sense of worth.
Spiritual Wellness
experiences that allow for transcendence, awe, connection to a higher power and/or higher purpose such that your life is meaningful to you.
Intellectual Wellness
- form constructive beliefs
- develop positive habits
- experience personal growth.
Occupational Wellness
satisfaction in work and hobbies, in and outside of the home, paid and unpaid.
Relational Wellness
good communication and interpersonal skills to sustain fulfilling, supportive relationships with romantic partners, children, family, friends, co-workers and others in the community.
Hello! Welcome to River Birch Counseling and Wellness.
My name is Melissa Estes and I’ve been a licensed professional counselor and couples therapist for nearly 30 years and am a Clinical Member of AAMFT (American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy). I have worked in a variety of settings including a community agency serving children, families, and couples, a correctional center for juveniles, and private practice specializing in individual and couples counseling.
I hope the following information about me gives you a sense of my personality and professional background and helps you in making your choice in finding the right counselor for you. I hope to meet you but even if you choose another counselor, I encourage you to keep going. You deserve to live your best life and get whatever support you need in that pursuit!
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About Melissa
Meet Stella
I’d like to introduce you to Stella, my Border Collie-Poodle mix, who has been coming to work with me since she was 10 weeks old.
Stella is a pet, with the normal training most dogs get, so I can’t even pass her off as a therapy dog. Despite her lack of specialized training, she always seems to know whose feet need to be snuggled or who wants a puppy hug or a cuddle on the couch. She’s also perfectly happy curled up on the floor with her head under a piece of furniture to give those who need it their space.
She is always up to date on her vaccinations, and fortunately doesn’t shed. Most of the people who come to my office want her in the room, but for those who do not, she is happy to take a nap in her kennel or hang out elsewhere for the session.
The Office
Getting Started
River Birch Counseling & Wellness is a network provider for:
Wellmark BCBS
UHC/UBH
Cigna
Health Partners
Aetna
Private Pay Rates*
50-minute individual session: $150
50-minute couples session: $175
*I accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards as forms of payment. Payment is due at the beginning of each session. If there is not a $0 balance, services will not be provided.
Good Faith Estimate
STANDARD NOTICE – Right to Receive a Good Faith Estimate of Expected Charges
Under the No Surprises Act (2022)
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You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost
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Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
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You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
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Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least one business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
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If you receive a bill at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
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Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 703-627-9272.
Phone
(309) 733-7500
Address
One River Place, 1225 E River Drive, Suite 315, Davenport, IA 52803