Frequently Asked Questions
Your therapy appointment is exclusively reserved for you and is a firm commitment. One-time exceptions may be made for unforeseeable emergencies or illness; otherwise, full payment is due. If one person in a couple/family cannot attend a joint session, attending solo may be an option (please check with us first). Appointments cannot be moved or rescheduled last minute. To avoid charges, changes must be made 48 hours in advance. Insurance companies do not reimburse for missed sessions.
We understand that you might need to reach out between sessions. Here’s how you can do that: **Phone Calls:** For administrative issues, feel free to call and leave a voicemail. For processing challenges or relationship struggles, schedule a phone consultation through the client portal. This will be billed separately. **Administrative Emails:** Use email and texts for administrative items like changing appointments. You can also use secure messaging in the client portal. Please note that any communication outside of the secure portal cannot guarantee confidentiality. Please do not include personal information. **Copy Partner:** If you're in couples counseling, always copy your partner in emails or texts to maintain trust. **Emergencies:** Do NOT use email or text for emergencies. Call 911 for immediate help. **Clinical Matters:** Please do not send emails about therapy sessions or personal matters. Discuss these in sessions where we can fully understand and help. If you want to discuss clinical matters via phone, this will be billed as a session. **Bring Thoughts into Sessions:** Journal or write an email to yourself and read it out loud in session. For urgent issues, schedule an extra appointment. **One-Partner Sessions:** If you need to communicate something privately, let us know, and we can schedule a special session. **Special Email Counseling:** For couples needing more support, we can read and respond to emails between sessions with both partners' consent. This service is billed separately. **Privacy:** Electronic communications are not 100% secure. By sending an email or text, you accept the risk of a confidentiality breach. Our policy aims to set healthy boundaries and create a safe space for you. Thank you for understanding.
No, we are an “out-of-network” provider for all insurance companies. This allows us to provide the highest quality of care, independent of insurance rules. Superbills:
You can apply for insurance reimbursement using a “super-bill” we provide, which includes necessary information like diagnosis and treatment codes. Submit this to your insurance company for reimbursement. We do not fill out insurance forms or correspond directly with them. Superbills are available in the client portal after the first day of the month following the appointment. Diagnosis in Couples Sessions:
For couples therapy, insurance may reimburse if one person has a diagnosis. We can discuss which partner should be diagnosed. Questions to Ask Your Insurance Provider: - Does my policy cover out-of-network outpatient psychotherapy? - What is the reimbursement for the following CPT codes: 90834, 90837, 90847, 90834-95, 90837-95, and 90847-95? - Is there a maximum number of psychotherapy sessions covered? - Will the insurance reimburse for diagnoses like adjustment disorder, PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, autism, and agoraphobia with panic disorder? - What percentage of the cost is reimbursed, and what is the maximum per-session rate? - Is a doctor’s referral or pre-authorization required? - What is the deductible, and how much is left to meet? - Where should I send my claims? HSA and FSA Accounts:
Many clients use Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and/or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for therapy expenses. The superbill can serve as documentation for these accounts. We understand financial concerns may lead you to use an in-network provider. Local non-profit agencies provide low-cost counseling services.
Both coaching and counseling support your wellness and growth, but they differ in training, methods, and goals. **Coaching:** Coaching focuses on helping you improve your life. It assumes you have a solid foundation in mental and emotional health and are not experiencing a diagnosable disorder. Coaching helps you create and maintain motivation for change, explore obstacles, and formulate a clear plan for an improved future. Coaching is unregulated by governmental authorities, but many certification programs are available. Psychotherapists can provide coaching, but coaches cannot provide psychotherapy. **Psychotherapy:** Psychotherapy helps you address and resolve symptoms that impair your ability to function well in daily life. This includes symptoms related to anxiety, depression, mood disorders, trauma, ADHD, addictions, and more. To practice psychotherapy, clinicians must complete graduate-level education, obtain licensure, and undergo thousands of hours of supervised training. It is unethical for a coach to attempt to help anyone dealing with recognized mental health problems. We will assess in the first session to ensure you receive the appropriate level of care. Insurance usually does not reimburse for coaching but does pay for psychotherapy/counseling with a diagnosis. We offer both services as appropriate. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Our therapy sessions typically range from $150 to $200 for a 50-minute session, depending on the provider. Please check each team member's page for their specific rates. Payment is due at the end of each session.
We offer a variety of resources and workbooks to support your journey. Click the title for the document: **Setting Boundaries:** - Boundaries workbook - Book: Setting boundaries - Setting boundaries in relationships - Building better Boundaries **Depression:** - CBT for depression - Improving Self-Esteem - Self-Forgiveness and Acceptance **Anxiety:** - Creating a Safe Place - Anxiety Toolbox - CBT for anxiety - Cognitive distortions - COVID anxiety workbook - Emotional regulation - Work Stress and Anxiety Journal **Self-assessments:** - BECK Depression Inventory - Alcohol Abuse Assessment - Substance Abuse Assessment - Child Anxiety Assessment - Adult Autism Quotient **Suicidal Ideation:** - Warning Signs Workbook - SAFE-T Self Harm Workbook **Communication:** - Anger management Workbook - Assertive communication - I statements - I Statements responses **Disclaimer and Limitations:** Most of these documents are based on content that I have extracted or integrated from books, the Internet, and many other sources. I do not want to take credit for work that is not mine. I am making them available so you don't have to cut, paste, sort, and sift through endless content. Consider it a "best of what's out there" on therapy topics.