FREQUENTLY asked Questions
Who do you work with?
Our licensed clinicians provide teletherapy for individual adults who reside in Texas, Colorado, New Jersey, Florida, Virginia, & Vermont. We specialize in working with people who experience anxiety and depression, challenges in stress management, professional burnout, cross-cultural adaptation, grief and loss, self-growth, life transitions, and chronic illness.
How will I know if you are the right therapist for me?
The only way to know for sure is to come in for a session. Most people have a good sense of whether our clinician is the right professional to help them within the first two sessions.
Do you provide in-person or online psychotherapy?
We offer both in-person and online psychotherapy sessions, depending on the clinician. Some of our therapists provide virtual sessions only, while others offer in-person or a combination of both. To find out what each clinician offers and their available locations, please refer to their individual profiles.
Is teletherapy right for me?
Although there are many advantages of online counseling (it’s convenient, effective, keeps us safe from infectious diseases such as COVID-19), it’s not right for everyone. Teletherapy works best for those with mild to moderate symptoms (not people who are suicidal or in crisis), are comfortable using technology, and have a quiet and private place to have their sessions.
Do you accept insurance?
Some of our licensed clinicians are in-network with major health insurance plans such as Aetna, Cigna, & UnitedHealthcare. Some of our licensed clinicians do not take any insurance. Please refer to their individual profiles to find out more.
What can I expect from therapy?
Once you have made a decision to see a therapist, you still might be apprehensive about the process. Many people feel nervous before their first appointment. Therapy is a shared journey; a shared process. And, although you and our licensed clinicians will travel together, it is ultimately your journey and you will make your own decisions. We do not have answers to all your concerns, but we do have the ability to listen carefully and will ask thoughtful questions. Your answers to these questions will help shape the direction of our work. You can expect to be respected. You can expect that we will offer opinions and suggestions from time to time but we will not tell you what to do.
What happens during the first session?
The initial session is the time for you to start to share your story, talk about your goals and what you would like to change. Another important aspect of the first session is deciding if we are a good fit. Does the therapist seem like someone you can trust? We are establishing a relationship that will become the foundation for working together. You will begin to figure out some goals; I will begin to figure out how to help you get there.
How long do appointments last?
Appointments are 50 minutes. This is the standard length of a psychotherapy session. If you are interested in a longer session (75 minutes) please contact me regarding availability and cost.
How often will we meet?
To begin, we will meet once a week. We find it’s important to gain some momentum in the beginning by meeting weekly or progress can stall out. Once some or all of your goals are met, meeting less often will make sense.
Should I use insurance or pay for therapy out of pocket?
There are important factors to consider when deciding whether to use insurance or pay for therapy out of pocket. We want to support you in making an informed decision.
Here are a few things to consider when choosing whether to use your insurance or self-pay for therapy services.
Using Insurance:
Diagnosis Required – Often, a person’s reason for seeking therapy is not related to a mental health diagnosis. However, most insurance companies require a diagnosis in order to pay for treatment. A therapist who is functioning ethically and in your best interest will not diagnose exclusively to utilize insurance. Additionally, there are some diagnoses that may be appropriate to what you are experiencing that insurance companies will not cover if they do not deem therapy to be ‘medically necessary’. Paying out of pocket allows you to access services regardless of diagnosis status, and you have the power to determine if sessions are necessary.
Session Duration – Insurance companies ultimately decide the number of therapy sessions you are able to receive, dependent on your diagnosis and benefits package. At the end of that number of sessions, your case will be re-evaluated by your insurance to determine if therapy continues to be ‘medically necessary’. Unfortunately, there is never a guarantee of receiving insurance approval to continue. Self-pay allows you to make the decision of continuing in therapy if it is working for you.
Decreased Privacy – Information that is communicated to your insurance for reimbursement is part of your medical record. This includes any diagnosis you received, as well as any other information the insurance requested to determine coverage. When paying privately, you have increased control over where, when, and how your information is shared.
We understand the financial and personal commitment involved in therapy with or without insurance, and do not take the responsibility of your care lightly. If you have more questions as you are trying to choose between insurance versus private pay, please schedule a consultation with us below.
Do you prescribe medication?
Yes, we now offer psychiatric evaluations and medication management through our team of psychiatrists and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs). Many of our clients find medication helpful, while others progress well in therapy without it. If you're interested in exploring medication options, you can schedule an evaluation with one of our psychiatric providers. If you're already taking medication, we can coordinate care with your prescribing doctor or our team to ensure integrated support.