Frequently Asked Questions

Therapy is the process between you and a professionally trained therapist which helps you reach personal growth, healing from past emotional wounds, and to aid you in coping and managing stress. Stress can be any emotional distress ranging from depression and anxiety to grief and loss or any life changes. Therapy can help you create the life you value and can assist you in dealing with challenges.

The length of treatment cannot be estimated without first meeting with you. The length of treatment will depend on factors unique to you and to your situation. You are a vital member of constructing your treatment plan as well as making sure you are sensing some benefit from our sessions. This will work better for you when you make consistent appointments and actively participate in the process. Some clients feel that weekly sessions are best for them while others find two sessions a week most helpful or even once a month. We will work with you in determining your best fit. 

We are committed to your privacy. There are very few instances where your information could be shared, and these are due to a legal obligation with which therapists are expected to comply. This would occur if you are an imminent danger to yourself or others or in the instance wherein your therapist becomes aware of an intention to commit a crime.

There are times when therapists will consult with other qualified therapists regarding best practices. This is done to ensure your needs are met in the best possible manner. While this does not occur with every client, the professionals consulted follow the same obligation to maintain your privacy.

An affirmative therapist uses a therapeutic approach that validates and advocates for the needs of sexual and gender minority individuals. It employs a positive and informed lens when working with LGBTQIA+ clients, as it celebrates and validates their identities, as well as acknowledges the stigma and obstacles that these clients may face.

The opposite of affimative therapy would be any therapeutic practice that aims to "fix" or change sexual and gender-diverse clients, or that judges or shames them.

​

Patients should expect to discuss their experiences and address their mental health challenges with a therapist who is informed about LGBTQIA+ issues and celebrates their identity. Validating their identity may take the form of using gender-neutral language, or being educated about homophobia or transphobia, among other elements.

You can make an appointment for someone else in the following circumstances:

​

• You can book individual therapy for your child if your child is a minor.

• You can book a family therapy session for yourself and all of your family members, provided if we have written consent from them prior to the first session.

• You can also book a couples therapy session for yourself and your partner, provided if we have written consent from them prior to the first session.

​

Psychiatric consultations are primarily about medication.  We do not prescribe medication.  

You will have completed forms online prior to your first visit. These will help the therapist understand a bit more about you and what you might want from therapy. During your first session, you will meet with your therapist who will ask questions to clarify your situation as well as your history. This will be a chance for the therapist to discuss treatment options and for you to clarify what you expect from your therapeutic experience. We will make every effort to ensure you have the best available care.

One of the most important pieces in knowing if the therapist is right for you is your intuition. The right therapist for you will feel like "a fit". Further, do you like them? Do you feel comfortable with them? As far as signs about the therapist, a good therapist will help you feel heard and won't lead you to feel judged. Ultimately, you will know which therapist is best for you. You are encouraged to discuss any kind of discomfort with your therapist and to have a conversation about terminating your services if you feel this is in your best interest.

​

Some of our therapists offer a free 15 minute chat before you commit to a first session.

​We do work with many insurance companies. You can call to make sure yours is accepted by your therapist of choice. We also accept cash, check, all major credit cards, HSA cards, and clergy payments. Payment is due at start of your session.

There will be a charge for no shows and late cancelations. We are happy to reschedule your appointments as needed and ask for at least 24 hours notice. We'd like to offer those on our waiting list enough time to plan on taking a cancelled time slot. 

​

We offer a sliding scale for private pay, you can contact us to discuss this further.

​

Do we accept payments via Venmo?

The HIPAA Privacy Rule stipulates how PHI (Private Health Information) can be used and disclosed, and selling PHI without prior written authorization of the patient is a HIPAA violation – rendering Venmo HIPAA non-compliant as a result.  This also applies to PayPal, Zelle, Apple Pay and the like.

For some clients, acting on those attractions may not be a fulfilling solution as it may conflict with their religious beliefs. We approach such a situation by neither rejecting nor promoting celibacy. The client's right to self-determination is of greatest importance in this environment and we do not feel that influencing a client one way or another is in their best interest. We honor the client's belief systems and own processes.

Only certain providers can prescribe and monitor medication:

Psychiatrists; Psychiatric Or Mental Health Nurse Practitioners; Primary Care Physicians; Family Nurse Practitioners; and Psychiatric Pharmacists.​

​

Some facilities are set up to provide psychological testing, however, we are not. To help assist with your options to pursue testing, you can contact your insurance company or speak with your counselor to discuss possible options in your area.