FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
What types of clients do you see?
I work with individual adults (18yo+) in my practice. My particular areas of interest include depression, anxiety, post-partum adjustment, OCD, major life transitions, grief and loss, and trauma/PTSD. As a clinical social worker, I am able to diagnose and treat mental health concerns but I am unable to perform psychological testing or prescribe medication. I am happy to make referrals to other providers in the community who are able to render those services.
What types of insurance do you accept?
At this time I only accept self-payment and Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance. If you are using insurance, the amount you pay for each session will depend on the specific insurance plan you have, and whether you will be paying a co-pay or working towards a deductible. If you are responsible for more than a copay, session fees range from $130-189. I encourage you to contact your insurance provider to inquire about mental health coverage prior to scheduling an initial consultation session.
Some insurance companies provide out-of-network benefits for clients. If you have insurance that is not BCBS you may contact your insurance provider to determine if you can be reimbursed for therapy sessions. If this is an option, I am willing to provide documentation required for you to receive reimbursement.
Should I use insurance or self-payment?
In order to bill insurance companies for services rendered, I must provide a mental health diagnosis. This diagnosis may affect you in the future in the event that another entity (insurance, employer etc). requires disclosure of medical records. Your medical records are usually protected and confidential; however, insurance companies may access a therapist’s notes for auditing and other purposes when you claim appointments through insurance. Whether to utilize insurance benefits or pay out of pocket is a personal decision. I am happy to answer additional questions regarding this choice. If you choose to self-pay, my office complies with the No Surprises Act and will provide a Good Faith Estimate for self-pay clients.
How frequently would I be seen?
Frequency of therapy depends on the specific needs of each person. Initially I typically see clients weekly until we have established a solid client/therapist relationship and identified treatment goals. I have some clients who then wish to come to therapy bi-weekly or monthly, and depending on what seems most clinically appropriate I am happy to accommodate your scheduling needs and preferences.
How long might I be in therapy?
This is truly dependent on the needs of each person. Therapy can often be short-term in order to work through a particular issue or challenging situation. Sometimes therapy can be longer depending on a person’s history, established behavior patterns, and/or ongoing personal stressors. There is no “one size fits all” for therapy, and we would work together to determine a timeline that would be most appropriate for you.
How long is a therapy session?
Therapy sessions last for 53-60 minutes. It is important to note that I am unable to bill insurance for therapy sessions lasting fewer than 30 minutes. In the event that you are more than 30 minutes late for a session, you will be charged a $75 out of pocket fee. A $75 cancellation fee is also applied to any appointments cancelled less than 24 hours before a scheduled appointment.
How do I get started?
If you are a new client, the first step is to schedule a consultation appointment by calling or booking online through the appointment scheduling link on this site. My phone number is 662-267-6828. If I do not answer, please leave a message and I will return your call as quickly as possible within 24 hours, with the exception of weekends and holidays. The next step will be completing new client paperwork which will address policies, billing, privacy, and expectations for therapy. Once paperwork is completed we will have an initial consultation session where I will get to know you, and we will mutually determine if moving forward with therapy together is the next right step. If you choose then to engage in therapy, we will work collaboratively to create a treatment plan to help you work towards your goals.
What should I expect in an initial consultation session?
Some of our first session will be spent reviewing “housekeeping” details and clarifying/completing paperwork if needed. We will also spend some time discussing what brings you to therapy. It usually takes a few sessions to get to know each other, establish goals, and develop a treatment plan. Please bring identification, insurance information if applicable, and a valid form of payment to initial appointment.