FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about Therapy
Do you take insurance? What do I need to know about using my insurance in therapy?
Yes. I take several commercial insurances: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UHC. I am in the process of getting paneled with Aetna. I also take Mississippi Medicaid (UHC Community Plan and Molina).
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In order to bill therapy sessions to insurance, I will collect some demographic information from you, including but not limited to your full legal name, date of birth, home address, as well as a picture of the front and back of your insurance card. Then, I will verify your benefits with your insurer. I require that each prospective client call their insurance company themselves, using the member services number on the back of the card. I ask everyone to do this because sometimes the insurance company gives inaccurate information to therapists and other providers. When calling your insurance company, you should make sure you obtain the following information:
1. Your individual and family deductible and how much you have already spent toward that deductible
2. Your co-pay or coinsurance percentage for "mental health outpatient therapy"
3. The limit to the number of sessions that can be billed in a calendar year
4. Whether both in-person and telehealth services are permitted
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Once I have the information needed, claims will be billed to insurance after each session. Co-insurance and co-payments are due at the time of service. I ask each client to keep a card on file which will be charged after each session. Please note that if you haven't met your deductible for the year, you are responsible for the full cost of the session, a rate which varies by insurance company. If your insurance is not covering your sessions, I will discuss your various options with you.
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If you are not using your insurance and are paying out of pocket for sessions, my rates are as follows:
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Initial session/intake assessment: $150
60 minute individual therapy session: $130
45 minute therapy session: $115
60 minute couples or family therapy session: $130
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How long will I need to be in therapy?
Great question! The answer: it depends. The following factors are likely to influence the amount of time you might spend in therapy: the problems you are experiencing and their complexity, the length of time you've been struggling, the amount of social support you have from family and friends, your use of self-care and coping skills outside of session, and your personal readiness for change. Typically, clients are able to choose the length of time they spend in therapy. Some people might want their treatment to be brief and very specific, and others might want to spend a longer amount of time exploring their early life experiences and past trauma. You can choose to stop therapy at any time if you no longer feel you need it. When you come to therapy with me for the first time, we will talk about what you'd like to gain from therapy, what goals you have, and how long it might take to reach them.
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How long do sessions last?
An initial session or intake assessment lasts 60 minutes. Depending on what you need that day, therapy sessions can last between 30 and 60 minutes. Most sessions last about 50-60 minutes.
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I'm not ready to schedule an appointment yet. Do you offer consultations?
Yes, I do. I offer a free consultation for up to 30 minutes via telephone or online telehealth platform, Doxy. During that time, you can describe the issues bringing you to therapy, and we can discuss whether I would be a good fit for you. If I think another professional might be able to better assist you, I will typically be able to give you some suggestions of who to schedule with instead. During the consultation, we can also discuss insurance and payment. You are welcome to ask questions of me about my training, experience, and style of therapy.
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What is a therapy session with you like?
I do everything I can to create a relaxed, warm, comforting environment where you can talk about vulnerable topics without being judged. I consider myself down to earth and easy to talk to. In therapy sessions with teens and adults, we typically explore your past relationship history, including your family of origin and what it was like to grow up in that environment. Then, we talk about how important relationships have shaped the way that you view yourself and the way that you view others. We will spend time talking about negative cycles "within and between" yourself and others. We won't just focus on the negative though, and I will help you craft a more positive cycle with yourself and others that you can experience in session with me, and practice outside of session with those who matter most to you.
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In therapy sessions with children, I start with an information-gathering session with one or more parents. I will ask about the current problems that your child and family are experiencing, in addition to their functioning at school and at home, their developmental history, and their strengths. Then, I do a further assessment on the relationship between you and your child which highlights both the strengths and the areas of need. After that, I will give feedback on a specific treatment plan that includes you and your child. Just like with adults, I am down to earth, easy to talk to, and I use the power of play to help you and your child have a stronger, easier bond. Sometimes I work with your child independently in my state-of-the-art play room, or I work with the parent and child together on activities that help create new experiences together and new "ways of being."
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Below are some pictures of my space.
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