Rates, Forms, & FAQs

RATES

Rates Our standard rate for individual counseling is $120 per 50-minute session. We also offer a sliding scale for those with financial need. Please ask your therapist if you would like to discuss a sliding scale fee structure. There is a flat fee for couples counseling of $160 and a flat fee for family counseling of $220 for a single therapist and $260 for two therapists. The primary therapist reserves the right to determine if more than one counselor is needed in a family session.

Questions about Insurance? We do not accept insurance. However, we will provide the information you need to submit claims yourself (called a Superbill). Please let your therapist know if you need documentation in order to file an insurance claim before the start of services. Services may be covered in full or in part by your health insurance or employee benefit plan. Please check your coverage carefully by asking the following questions:

  • Do I have mental health insurance benefits?
  • What is my deductible and has it been met?
  • How many sessions per year does my health insurance cover?
  • What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
  • Is approval required from my primary care physician?

Please discuss the answers to these questions with your therapist if you intend to file an insurance claim. The answers will help us work with you to plan the most appropriate counseling services for your specific needs and means.

Payment Options
Cash, all major credit cards, and HSA cards are accepted for payment. Payment is typically made at the end of each session. Your therapist will discuss payment and explain the payment process in your initial session. Monthly payment options are available for individuals paying in advance. Please contact us at any time if you have questions about payment or would like to make alternative payment arrangements. Payment must be made at time of service.

Cancellation Policy 
You may find that you need to cancel an appointment due to unforeseen circumstances. Please notify us as soon as possible so that we may offer the time to someone who may be waiting for an appointment. We ask that you cancel or reschedule your appointment at least 4 hours in advance of your scheduled start time to avoid being charged one half the fee for that appointment.

Contact Questions? Please contact us for further information.





FORMS

If you're a new client, your counselor will send you 2 documents to complete prior to your first session: (1) New client intake form, & (2) Informed Consent/Consent to Treat.  Please complete & bring the forms to your first therapy session.

If you would like your Counselor to coordinate care with another provider (for example, your psychiatrist, primary care physician, etc.), complete this form to authorize release of information:  Authorization to Disclose Information Form





FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
Therapy is the process of entering into a relationship with a trained professional who has expertise in change, human development, behavior and behavior modification, relationships, group dynamics, resources, emotions, resistance, trauma, healing, growth, performance, internal conflict, interpersonal conflict, organizational conflict, social structures, identity development, personality, and language.  Engaging in the therapeutic process is a way of accessing all of this expertise customized to your circumstances and personality so you get the greatest benefit possible.

Is therapy right for me?
Participating in therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one's life such as a divorce or work transition. Many seek the help of a counselor as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can address issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress, gender identity issues, relationship problems, body-image issues, and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.

How can therapy help me?
Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and evidence-based strategies for a variety of human experiences - whether they are positive (like growth & performance) or challenging (such as anxiety or grief). Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

  • Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals, and your values
  • Developing skills for improving your relationships
  • Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
  • Learning new ways to relate to stress and anxiety
  • Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
  • Improving communication and listening skills
  • Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
  • Discovering new ways to solve problems
  • Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence


What is therapy like?
The practical response:  

1. You will sit in a room across from a counselor, typically designed for comfort and freedom from distractions (commonly lamp lighting instead of overhead lights, soft seating options, artwork, and plants).  NOTE: You will sit in a comfortable chair - you will NOT lie down on a couch.
2. The initial session will include a review of the paperwork you signed prior to the session to ensure you understand your rights and how the therapeutic process works.  You will then be asked about the concern or goal that brought you to therapy.  Your therapist may take notes, ask probing questions to gain a better understanding, and will share some of the ways they conduct sessions.
3. You will work with the counselor to determine a session schedule.  Weekly sessions are common but sometimes circumstances call for more or less frequent sessions.  Cost will also be part of the discussion to make sure the service schedule fits your budget.
4. Regular sessions will involve you talking about your goals, concerns, and challenges.  Your therapist will use reflective listening, minimal questions, and feedback processes to help you reach your goals.  The therapist may also teach you during the session.  Teaching that occurs during a session is called psychoeducation and could include anything from information about ways stress affects the body to a detailed analysis of your specific circumstances or behavior.
5. You will decide what to share and what not to share.
6. The therapist may use tools such as a dry erase board, worksheets, books, toys, or other visual aids.
7. The therapist will check in with you frequently to assess how the session is going - what is working, what feels challenging, and what might need to be changed.  The interactive process of working with the therapist is vital to your success.  It is in these exchanges that you both gain insight into your goals and how to achieve them.

The conceptual response: 
Every therapy session is unique because the relationship between you and your therapist is unique.  You may laugh, cry, talk at length, or sit in silence.  You will be given space to think and feel.  Reflective listening is the process of giving your words back to you to help you gain insight.  The therapist may repeat back exactly what you said or paraphrase it slightly.  Hearing our own thoughts and feelings often results in new insight.  You may at times feel close to your therapist - like you could be great friends in another circumstance.  Other times you may feel irritation or frustration with your therapist.  The process of being in relationship and working through ups and downs of interaction can provide deep understanding of yourself and the way you relate to the rest of the world.  We strongly encourage you to lean in and explore challenging feelings with your therapist so you can resolve them.  Some of the best results come from challenges that occur in the therapeutic relationship.  For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant. Here are some things you can expect out of therapy:

  • Compassion, respect, and understanding
  • Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
  • Real strategies for enacting positive change
  • Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance

Is medication a substitute for therapy?
In some cases, a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you. It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.

Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?
We do not accept insurance. We do accept HSA cards, credit cards, and cash. We can provide you with a superbill if you want to file your own insurance claim. To determine if you have mental health coverage, the first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage carefully and find the answers to the following questions:

  • What are my mental health benefits?
  • What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
  • How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
  • How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
  • Is approval required from my primary care physician?


How is coaching different than counseling? 
Coaching is different in that it is more directive and does not delve into mental health issues unless they contribute to challenges in achieving your personal or professional goals.  Coaching sessions are goal/outcome driven.  Techniques such as reflective listening and probing will be used to gain insight into both your goals and the challenges you face in achieving your goals. Check-ins may occur between coaching sessions but will be clearly agreed upon during the session.

What if my question isn't listed here?
We are happy to answer your questions. Contact Us with your question!