FAQs

This depends on many factors. The first session is an assessment so I can get to know you and the current life challenges in place that brought you to therapy. I will ask for more details as needed in that session including what may have worked for you in past therapy. The first session is also a good time to see if you feel I am a good fit for your therapy needs. The second session is when treatment goals and objectives are determined, which will serve as a guide for future sessions. Most of my clients meet weekly to start and then sessions become less frequent as clients are making positive changes in their life. How long will it take? Well that depends on the desire for change and the willingness to commit to doing the necessary work to let change happen.

Sessions for individuals and couples are between 55-60 minutes. If you are using insurance for sessions, that is all the time that is allowed per session. If you are a private pay client, additional session length will be prorated by the hourly session rate for sessions exceeding 60 minutes. Occasionally, sessions may run closer to 45 minutes if issues and concerns are addressed in less time.

Unless you are in danger to yourself or someone else, everything shared in session is confidential. However, please note that if your records become part of a subpoena, I am obligated to submit them. Additionally, if you are using insurance, the insurer can audit your files to make sure you meet the criteria for medical necessity, which is required if they are reimbursing your provider. There is nothing more important than your privacy, and nothing will be shared outside of the situations listed above. Please feel free to speak with me more about this as we start working together.

Please contact me via email or phone so we can have a free 15-minute phone consultation to make sure we are a good fit for one another. We will discuss availability and whether you want in-person (NC clients only) or virtual sessions (NC and FL clients). If you want to move forward with therapy, I will invite you to my portal and send you all the necessary information and consents you will need to get started!

Yes, I do accept insurance. However, I always remind clients that insurance requires a medical diagnosis which will become part of your medical record. Also, there must be substantiated medical necessity documented for that diagnosis. Insurance limits the length of sessions and can determine their frequency, duration, and the treatment modality that is used. If you have an intake assessment and you do not meet the criteria for medical necessity, you can remain a client and be considered private pay.

I am currently paneled (in-network) with Aetna and Aetna products such as Meritain, Cigna, Medcost, BlueCross BlueShield (NC only, including the state health plan), and Optum/United products.  I encourage all clients to verify their individual benefits and coverage in advance of starting therapy, so you are aware of the costs involved.

If you have a plan I am not paneled with, I can issue you a “super bill” that you can submit to your insurance company if you have “Out of Network” benefits. Even if you file for Out of Network benefits on your own, a diagnosis must be provided for reimbursement. With Out of Network claims, the client is required to pay the full session fee upfront and then request reimbursement directly from their insurance company.

Special information for couples: To be reimbursed from your insurance company, a medical diagnosis must be attached to the insured partner, and I must be able to document medical necessity for treatment. It is often the case that there is no diagnosis, and if this is your situation, I would be glad to work with you as a private pay client.

Please note that I do not accept Medicare or Medicaid clients, even if this is secondary insurance, as I am not paneled with either of them.

Session costs vary depending on the length of time and range from $75-$250, and this range covers everything from a 30-minute session to the initial intake. Insurance companies reimburse providers by their contract rates if the client meets the criteria for medical necessity.

Yes, except in emergency situations, a $75 fee will be charged to a client who doesn’t give a 24-hour notice to cancel or simply doesn’t show up as scheduled. Oftentimes, I might offer you another opening during the same week which could forego this fee, but that is never guaranteed.

I will gladly bill your sessions for insurance plans that I am in-network with. Copays will be charged when the claim is processed. Clients must keep a credit card on file for this reason as well as for late-cancel/no-show fees. Out of Network claims are filed by the client and the client pays the full fee at the time of service and seeks reimbursement directly from their insurance company.

Yes. I currently offer telehealth sessions in both North Carolina and Florida. Additional states will likely be added this year. Our sessions use a HIPAA compliant teleconferencing platform. Please check with your health insurance plan to make sure telehealth sessions are covered in your plan. We can discuss the process in more detail during our consultation call.

Therapy is most effective with clients who are committed to and actively engaged in the process both in and out of our sessions. As you put the work into therapy, you will increase your awareness of and responsibility for your life. Just be honest and open so that trust can develop.

I only provide services to adults, age 18 and above.