FAQs and Answers
Clear responses to your important questions.
What is Step by Step and Side by Side?
Step by Step and Side by Side is a professional advocacy and support service dedicated to helping you and your family navigate important life decisions. We provide guidance, coordination, and advocacy during healthcare, housing, and other life transitions.
Are your services confidential?
Yes. All services provided by Step by Step and Side by Side are confidential. We respect the privacy of every client and family and handle all personal information with the highest level of discretion and professionalism.
Are your services free?
No. Step by Step and Side by Side is a private, fee-based service. This allows us to provide personalized attention, independent guidance, and dedicated support focused entirely on the needs of you and your family.
Why choose a fee-based advocacy service?
As a fee-based service, we are able to provide unbiased guidance and individualized support without being tied to specific facilities or service providers. Our focus is always on what is best for the you and your family.
What Is Life Advocacy?
Life advocacy is short-term, practical support that helps individuals navigate complex systems, organize next steps, and move forward during overwhelming life transitions. It is action-oriented and focused on restoring clarity and momentum.
How do your services help families?
We work step by step and side by side with you and your family to help understand options, coordinate services, communicate with providers, and make informed decisions during challenging or transitional times.
How Is This Different From Therapy or Case Management?
Step by Step and Side by Side does not provide therapy, medical care, legal advice, or long-term case management. Instead, we offer clearly defined, short-term engagements focused on organization, advocacy, follow-through, and practical problem-solving.
How Long Do Services Last?
Engagements range from a single consultation to approximately 12 weeks, depending on the situation and goals. Support is time-limited and focused on measurable progress.
Who Typically Reaches Out for Support?
Clients often contact us after the loss of a spouse, during a health crisis or diagnosis, while caregiving for a loved one, or when major life transitions feel overwhelming. Adult children coordinating care for aging parents are a significant part of our client community.
Do You Offer Virtual Services?
Virtual advocacy is offered for adult children who are coordinating care for a parent or loved one.
What Does a First Meeting Look Like?
The initial session focuses on listening, clarifying priorities, identifying immediate next steps, and determining whether short-term advocacy is the right fit. You leave with a clear path forward and a defined goal, side by side and step by step.
How Do Referrals Work?
Healthcare providers, faith communities, community organizations, and families may refer individuals directly. Clients may also self-refer. We maintain clear communication, defined boundaries, and collaborative relationships with referral partners.
What if My Needs Fall Outside Your Scope?
If a client requires therapy, legal services, financial advising, crisis intervention, or long-term case management, we help connect them to trusted community resources.