Frequently Asked Questions
Fees & FAQs
The most essential questions: fees, insurance, and basic policies!
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Everyone’s first question
Fees & Insurance
What are your session fees?
|
Individual Session
|
$125 |
| Couple’s Session 50 Minutes |
$125 |
Accepted forms of payment include credit, debit cards, and HSA/FSA cards. A card must be kept on file.
Your card will automatically be charged on the day of your therapy session.
Do you accept insurance?
We do not accept insurance and will not work directly with your insurance company to obtain in or out-of-network benefits. We are not an eligible provider for Medicare, which means they will not reimburse you for therapy with us.
Additionally, we cannot provide a Superbill (accepted by some insurance companies if you have out-of-network benefits).
We know that the economy is challenging and paying for therapy is a huge investment in your time, emotional energy, and finances. Many clients find twice-monthly appointments to be more affordable.
Why Don't You Take Insurance?
Finding a therapist in North Texas who accepts insurance can be frustrating. We choose not to be in-network with insurance companies for very important reasons.
Overall Reason:
Most insurance companies focus on optimizing the costs and will often dictate what mental health services are covered and how many sessions you can have. They often require justification for therapy and proof of progress, which we view as an unnecessary invasion of your privacy and confidentiality (it’s also extremely time-consuming for us).
Reimbursement Rates:
The reimbursement rate to be in-network with most insurance companies is too low. Most therapists cannot make a decent living on insurance reimbursement rates (after paying business expenses and taxes).
No Raises to Counter Inflation:
Insurance companies do not provide raises like a regular job. If we want a raise, we must petition the insurance company to change our contracted rate. This is a time-consuming process that is not always successful.
Time-Consuming:
It is time-consuming for us to verify benefits and submit insurance claims. It takes weeks to get paid, and if they have any questions or deny claims, we have to complete more forms and spend time on the phone justifying why you need more therapy sessions. The whole process is frustrating and time-consuming. I would rather spend my time and energy helping you.
Clawbacks:
Clawbacks are when insurance companies decide that you did not qualify for mental health services after all. Even though they paid the claim, they can demand reimbursement from me. Clawbacks can happen months or years after the therapy sessions and are financially devastating.
Wellness Model:
Rather than pathologizing everyday struggles, we would rather focus on a wellness model and take as much time as necessary to work together to provide psychological relief.
LPC Associates
LPC Associates are under supervision for 3,000 hours and cannot be credentialed with insurance independently. LPC Associates cannot bill insurance for therapy sessions unless their supervisor is in-network with select plans. None of our therapists are in network with any insurance and our LPC Associates are under supervision with private pay supervisors. This means we cannot take insurance even if we want to!
Can I use my insurance anyway?
Unfortunately, you cannot use your insurance for our therapy services. We do not have therapists who are credentialed with any insurance companies right now.
In the future, we will be an out-of-network provider, meaning your insurance company may reimburse a portion of your costs if you file a claim yourself.
In the future, we can provide you with a “Superbill” so you can file an out-of-network claim – sometimes, this is a possibility.
Not all insurance policies have out-of-network benefits. We do not contact insurance companies on your behalf, so you must consult with your insurance company regarding potential out-of-network benefits and claims.
Filing the claim yourself means that your DSM-5 diagnosis will be part of your permanent health record. However, sometimes, filing an out-of-network claim can make therapy financially assessable.
Getting started
Key Questions
Are you accepting new clients?
Do you have evening or weekend appointments?
Yes, we have a few evening and weekend appointments available. They usually go quickly, so you can be added to a waitlist if we don’t have one available now.
What paperwork do I need to complete?
Before your first session, you will need to complete three forms:
- Intake (basic info about what brings you to therapy)
- Informed Consent (legally required policy practices)
- Credit Card Authorization (we require a card on file that will be charged after each session).
Intake Form
The Intake Form contains basic demographic and background information so we can use your session time to really focus on you (rather than me asking basic questions).
Informed Consent
The Informed Consent document contains a breakdown of all our policies. Your signature is required to acknowledge that you have read and understand the policies. We will go over the highlights in your first appointment.
We have a fully digital practice, so all forms will be completed online using SimplePractice. It is better to complete the forms before your session – that way, we can focus on what brought you in.
What is your cancellation policy?
No-shows and late cancellations (less than 24 hours) will be charged the full session fee.
We understand that life happens, and if you wake up sick or have an emergency, just let us know. Otherwise, all cancellations will need to be prior to 48 hours to avoid a charge.
How do I get started?
Do you offer online sessions?
Yes! We can see anyone in Texas via online sessions. While most clients prefer in-person therapy, some prefer therapy in the comfort of their own space and to avoid unnecessary travel time.
When you schedule an appointment, simply select the virtual option (or we can do it for you)!
We use Sessions Health as our online portal, so your session will be HIPPA-compliant.
What if I need between-session support?
Do you offer free consultations?
Yes, but the best way to determine if we are a good fit is to give it a try.
I find that clients’ situations are far too complex and nuanced to convey in a 15-minute call. I’d rather meet with you and take the time to really understand what brings you to therapy.
However, we do offer free 15-minute consultations, which gives you enough time to provide a basic overview and ask some essential questions. We find that most clients schedule a session after the consultation.
What is the Difference Between a Counselor and a Therapist?
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC): Master’s degree in counseling or counseling psychology and licensed by the state.
Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate (LPC-Associate): Master’s degree in counseling or counseling psychology, licensed by the state, and still within the first 3000 hours (2-3 years) of counseling experience.
School Counselor: Master’s degree in school psychology. In Texas, school counselors also have two years of teaching experience.
Therapist: A counselor or psychologist who specializes in a particular type of therapy.
Psychotherapist: A therapist who treats mental disorders using psychological rather than medical methods. Counselors and Psychologists are often referred to as psychotherapists.
Life Coach: Someone who encourages clients on matters related to personal goals. There is no certification requirement, but many are certified. Life coaching is not related by the state and they cannot provide therapy or psychotherapy.
Psychologist: Doctorate degree in psychology and licensed by the state. Psychologists often specialize in assessments (such as ADHD and Autism).
Psychiatrist: Doctorate degree in medicine and licensed by the state. Psychiatrists often specialize in the diagnosis and treatment (often with medicine) of mental illness. Psychiatrists are the only mental health professionals on this list that can prescribe medicine.
Good Faith Estimate
Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, health care providers and healthcare facilities are required to inform individuals who are not enrolled in a plan or coverage or a Federal health care program, or not seeking to file a claim with their plan or coverage both orally and in writing of their ability, upon request or at the time of scheduling health care items and services, to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” of expected charges.
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees. Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item.
You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
Good Faith Estimate for Individual Sessions:
|
One Session |
$125 |
| One Month Individual Sessions |
$500 |
|
Six Months |
$3,200 |
|
One Year |
$6,400 |
Good Faith Estimate for Couple’s Sessions:
|
One Session |
$150 |
| One Month Couple Sessions |
$600 |
|
Six Months |
$3,900 |
|
One Year |
$7,800 |
In-person or Online
Plano Texas Therapy
We see therapy clients in-person and online from our Plano, Texas office.
Most of our clients are from:
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Schedule an appointment, and let’s get you on a better path.