Question 1

What do I do if I want to start therapy?

Accepted Answer

Please reach out to me via text or email, and we will schedule a convenient time for a consultation phone call. Consultations are about 15 minutes long and the goal is to see if it sounds like a good fit for both of us to work together.

We will discuss what has brought you to wanting to start therapy as well as some of the areas you are interested in addressing or focusing on. We will talk about if you have done any therapy in the past and what you did or did not find helpful in your past experience. I will also give you a chance to ask me any questions you may have. At the end of the call, you can decide if you want to schedule an initial session. If so, we will schedule an appointment!

Question 2

What happens in an initial session?

Accepted Answer

The initial session will focus on the two of us building rapport and getting to know each other better. We want to build a strong foundation for the future work together. I may ask you some questions about your hobbies or interests, and if we have time, we may start discussing some of the symptoms currently going on as well as your goals for therapy. You may not be sure what your exact goals are initially and that is ok! We will work on identifying and defining your goals in the first couple of sessions. If you have additional questions, feel free to bring those to our first session as well.

Question 3

How do I know if it is a good fit?

Accepted Answer

I encourage people to try two to three sessions with a new therapist in order to give them an idea if the new therapist is a good fit for them. You can look for different things such as if you feel comfortable talking with the therapist (every therapist has a different personality!) and if they are trained and experienced in areas that could help you reach your goals.

If you decide it is not a good fit for you, then just let me know. I am happy to help people connect with other therapists who may be what they are looking for.

Question 4

How do I know what type of therapy is best for me?

Accepted Answer

Most therapists use an eclectic approach that pulls from multiple therapeutic modalities. As we continue working together and I learn more about your symptoms and goals, we will discuss different approaches that could be effective. You are always in charge and can decide what does or does not sound right for you. I am happy to discuss more details about the modalities I am trained in during sessions.

Question 5

What is a copay?

Accepted Answer

A copayment or copay is a set amount your insurance company and plan expects you to pay to a provider at the time of service. If your insurance is a BCBS plan that is in-network with me, you will have a copayment that you cover and your insurance will cover the rest of the session fee. If your insurance plan is out-of-network with me, you will pay the self-pay amount at time of service. I can provide you with a superbill which you can submit to your insurance company to receive full or some reimbursement for the out-of-network (OON) service.

Question 6

What is a deductible?

Accepted Answer

A deductible is the amount you pay for services before your insurance plan starts to pay. For example, if your deductible is $1,500, you will pay 100% of all eligible health care expenses until you reach $1,500. Then, you will share the cost of your plan with your insurance company.

Question 7

How do I find out my insurance benefits?

Accepted Answer

I recommend calling your insurance company by using the phone number listed on the back of your insurance card. It is helpful to know what your deductible and copayments are before engaging in services. If you have Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of North Carolina, you can ask them if you have mental health insurance benefits, what your deductible is, what your copay will be per session, and how many sessions per year your insurance plan covers.

If your insurance plan is out-of-network (OON) with me, you can call and ask them if you have mental health insurance benefits, what your deductible is, and what the OON reimbursement rate for mental health services is. The billing code for our sessions will be 90837. You can ask them to look up what amount they would reimburse you for when this billing code is OON.

Frequently asked questions