rethinkingmetherapy

Holistic Therapy for Modern Lives in Atlanta, Georgia

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Frequently Asked Questions

Session Information

    • Sessions typically last around 50 minutes. Shorter or longer times can be scheduled with prior notice and discussion.  Sessions may involve a blend of talk therapy, education, exercises, and reviewing previous assignments. Your therapy experience is tailored to your unique needs, and interventions may include worksheets, role-play, walk-and-talk therapy, or experiments.
    • For all adolescent sessions (under the age of 18), the first session involves both the parent(s)/guardian(s) and the teen to establish confidentiality, history, treatment goals, and expectations. Follow-up sessions are one-on-one with the teen, with the option for brief check-ins with parents, however confidentiality will still be respected.
    • It’s completely normal to feel a bit nervous or be hesitant about if you really need therapy. Whether it’s your first therapy experience or a return visit, therapy is a nonjudgmental, safe space and is your time above all and I am here for you.

Your information and all sessions will be kept private unless prior written consent is given to share any information. There are situations where confidentiality may be exempt:

      • Risk of harm to oneself or others
      • Child or elder abuse
      • Court-ordered disclosures
      • A signed release of information (ROI)
      • Any information communicated to insurance companies
    • Prior to your initial session, you’ll complete intake paperwork via a secure portal. This helps us understand your treatment goals, history, and concerns. This will need to be completed no later than 24 hours prior to your appointment so that your therapist can review the information, verify your insurance, and if needed send you any assessments to complete.
    • For adolescents (under the age of 18): For the first 10-15 minutes we will go over confidentiality and expectations with you and your parent/guardian and then the remainder of the session will be just for you to get to know your therapist and build trust. Don’t worry we won’t jump into the “big stuff” until you’re comfortable and ready.
    • The first session, you can anticipate a more question-based approach from me, followed by the second session, which will emphasize further clarification and treatment planning. Subsequent sessions will adopt a conversational style to facilitate progress with an action plan. So, I assure you that not every session will resemble an interrogation or feel like you’re playing “20 questions”. Granted not every session will follow this pattern, but I do prefer to structure the first three sessions.

We encourage you to take advantage of the free 15-minute consultation before booking your first appointment. We require this before booking a full session with any of our therapists to ensure the best fit. We will send a prospective client information to complete prior to the consultation. We standby “that while I am a therapist, that does not mean that I am your therapist”. Therapy is only as good as the relationship between the therapist and the client. If it happens that we are not a good fit for each other then you will be provided referrals to seek treatment with another therapist.

The simple answer “It depends”. It depends on your therapy goals, how consistently we meet, what’s being addressed, additional goals being created, and your progress throughout the sessions. Some people may start to see improvements in a few sessions, especially if their concerns are more specific or situational. For others, especially those dealing with more complex or long-standing issues, therapy might take several months or even longer. Ultimately, there’s no set timeline for how long therapy will take. Progress in therapy isn’t always linear; some sessions might feel very productive, while others might seem slower. This is all part of the process. It’s important to be patient with yourself and the process, knowing that the time invested is a valuable part of your journey towards better mental health.

In general, therapy can be broken down into three broad categories. Depending on your individual goals one goal may only require short-term therapy, while another goal may require more long-term therapy:

  1. Short-term therapy: This typically lasts between 6 to 12 sessions and is often focused on a specific issue, such as a recent crisis, stress management, or a particular life transition. The goal here is to provide you with strategies and tools to cope with immediate challenges.
  2. Medium-term therapy: This may last several months and is suitable for addressing more complex issues, such as persistent anxiety, depression, or relationship problems. We will work on understanding underlying patterns and developing healthier coping mechanisms.
  3. Long-term therapy: This involves ongoing sessions over a longer period, which can be beneficial for deep-seated issues, long-standing emotional difficulties, or personal growth and self-exploration. Long-term therapy allows for a more profound and comprehensive understanding of yourself and your experiences.

We offer a flexible approach to our therapy sessions, where we have check-ins every six weeks (or every 6th session). If you ever feel that you’re ready to conclude our sessions, all you need to do is let us know with a week’s notice. However, it’s important to note that many of our clients choose to continue their therapy for six months or more because they find it valuable for exploring their life experiences.

Of course! You can come into the office some weeks and others we can do an online session via a HIPAA compliant platform. At times, you may have every intention in coming into the office but due to traffic, or being held up at a prior engagement you realize you won’t make it into the office on time. You can switch from an in-office to a telehealth appointment and still have a session without having to be concerned about a late cancellation fee. You will need to notify your therapist first. The session will still be the same length of time and cost; however, time will not be made up if you are late, not in a private area, or having technical difficulties due to a bad connection. We encourage you, if needed, to have sessions in your car if that’s the only private space you have, however sessions will not be conducted if you are driving, so you will need to be parked. You can switch from a telehealth appointment to an in-person appointment with at least 24-hour notice.

While we can arrange a collateral session to provide support during the treatment process, prior notice and consent are essential and required from both the client and clinician. This should align with your treatment and overarching goals. If there is ever a situation where it is deemed that you are not in a private place, such as attempting to conduct your session with family or a partner in your car, or you’re in a room while friends are present, then if you are unable to obtain privacy or move into a private space alone the session will unfortunately be cancelled, and you may incur a fee. Although, if needed, say you have to do your session in the backyard for privacy, we encourage you to at least use a headset or earphones rather than on speaker.

    • We ensure that we provide not only trauma informed care, but social justice informed care for the BIPOC and the LGBTQIA2S+ community.  We follow an intersectional clinical perspective as we take in all aspects of a person when creating therapeutic goals.

Session length is confirmed at booking, with an average of 50 minutes. We can adjust the duration based on treatment goals, needs, and therapist availability.

    • We will meet for the initial session (the intake) and from there will be assessed for the frequency and/or duration of services that will best meet your treatment goals and needs. Typically, clients meet weekly or biweekly. Deciding on session frequency is a collaborative conversation between you and the therapist after your initial session. After we have achieved your identified goals and you have seen your desired results, we can reach a point of maintenance where we meet monthly.
    • If you have had therapy previously, you may have an idea of a session frequency that was either too often, or not enough. If you begin therapy and find that sessions feel too infrequent or not frequent enough, then we are happy to collaborate with you to determine the course of treatment that best fits your scheduling and financial needs.
    • We do have a waitlist that we will keep open for 45 days if the clinician is currently not accepting clients. After that if there is still no availability, we will recommend that you work with another clinician that may also be a good fit for you or we will provide you with another referral.
    • We also have a waitlist for certain times. Please be aware these only become available if there is a cancellation, so there is not a guarantee of getting a consistent appointment if you utilize the waitlist for specific days/times.

Video consultations are 15-20mins, free, and completely private. Even if we decide not to move forward with therapy services together confidentiality will still be upheld. Once you book the consultations through your client portal, I will send you an email to confirm the appointment and other details. You will also be sent a form to fill out that will provide you more details about the therapist and policies and answer more general questions such as rates, scheduling & availability,  and details over the therapist’s areas of expertise. The consultation will have three components:

  1. We’ll discuss your concerns and what made you want to reach out for therapy services and what you’re looking for in your next therapist including initial goals. It’s okay if you don’t have concrete goals! We’ll use the initial 1-3 sessions to create hone in on specifics.
  2. We’ll briefly describe our approach and style and answer any questions you may have, whether it be over background or something else.
  3. If we decide we are a good fit we’ll discuss next steps such as fees, insurance verification, and getting your first appointment scheduled.

Currently we are in office Monday-Thursday. Fridays may occasionally be offered for consultations or per request based on the clinician’s availability and demand. We are in office:

  • Monday & Thursday 9:00am – 6:00pm
  • Tuesdays & Wednesday 10:00am – 7:00pm

These times and availability is subject to change based on the therapist’s discretion.

Yes we do! Available Monday-Thursday. We are located at 5180 Roswell Rd, Atlanta Ga 30342

Financial Information

Please see Pricing/Investment Page, click here

Please see Pricing/Investment Page, click here

Although we try to work with clients our rates are set. We do at times offer scholarships or sliding scale spots for reduced fees, but those are limited and there is no guarantee that they will be available at the time of your appointment request.

Please see Pricing/Investment Page, click here to learn more

Please see Pricing/Investment Page, click here to learn more

    • In-network providers: These therapists collaborate directly with your insurance company. When you attend therapy sessions, you only pay your upfront copayment or deductible, while the therapist receives the rest of their payment directly from the insurance company. If you have not met your deductible, or if your insurance does not cover mental health services, please note that you will be responsible for the self-pay rate until your deductible is met.
    • Out of network providers: These therapists do not have a direct association with the insurance company. As a result, you cover the cost of services at the time of your therapy appointment, or there may be a higher co-pay.

Various factors can lead someone to opt for an out-of-network therapist or not using their insurance, including:

        • Specialization in a particular area.
        • Availability for new clients.
        • Privacy concerns and confidentiality (in-network therapists share treatment notes with insurers, while out-of-network therapists do not).
        • Flexibility in session approval.
        • Not filing insurance keeps self-pay rates affordable with out-of-network benefits.
        • Personal preference for a specific therapist and intervention.
        • Insurance companies dictate and require a diagnosis within 1-2 sessions. As well as having control of the type of therapy and interventions used and length of time to be in therapy. The diagnosis will remain on your permanent health record.
    • If you’re considering therapy, you may have already come to realize the therapists you want to work with don’t take your insurance! We can understand the frustration this brings as you want to use your insurance benefits to cover therapy costs, as the self-pay rate is not affordable to you. If you’re interested in working with a therapist who is not in-network with your insurance company, you might wonder if you can still utilize your insurance benefits for therapy. The answer is yes, in many cases.
    • Out-of-Network Coverage: Many insurance plans provide some coverage for out-of-network services. This means they will reimburse you for a portion of the fees you pay for therapy or other out-of-network health services. To make use of this option, follow these steps:
      • Check Your Plan: Ensure your insurance plan includes coverage for out-of-network providers. Review your insurance plan details. It may specify terms like “covers 80% of out-of-network costs” or “covers 60% of out-of-network costs after meeting the deductible.”
      • Assess Your Deductible: Some plans have deductibles, which represent the amount you must spend on healthcare before receiving reimbursement. You may have both an in-network and out-of-network deductible. You can often apply your therapy expenses toward meeting this deductible. High deductibles may allow you to receive reimbursement sooner, while low deductibles may facilitate quicker reimbursement.
        • Example 1: No Deductible/Out-of-Network Benefits Plan:
          • You have a no-deductible plan covering 80% of out-of-network costs.
          • Your chosen therapist charges $120 per hour.
          • You pay $120 for the session and receive a superbill (receipt).
          • You submit the superbill, receive 80% reimbursement, and get a $96 reimbursement check.
          • Your out-of-pocket cost is $24, likely similar to or lower than your copayment.
        • Example 2: Deductible Plan with Out-of-Network Benefits:
          • You have a plan with a $5,000 deductible, covering 60% of out-of-network costs after the deductible.
          • You’ve already spent $4,500 on medical care, leaving a $500 deductible.
          • Your chosen therapist charges $100 per session.
          • After each session, you submit your receipt, meeting your deductible in five sessions.
          • The insurance company reimburses you 60% of the costs.
          • After your sixth session, you receive a $60 reimbursement, with $40 as your out-of-pocket expense.
      • Request a Superbill: Ask your therapist for a superbill, a document detailing your therapy session, including the date of service and service type.
      • Submit to Your Insurance: Fill out a claim form provided by your insurance company, including personal information like your name and policy number. This document Attach the superbill and submit the claim.
      • Keep Records: Maintain records of all documents and communication with your insurance com should contain essential information like session date, cost, therapists name and license number, NPI number, practice EIN (tax ID), diagnosis code (if applicable), and a CPT code specifying the type of service.  You can usually log into your insurance company’s website, locate the “claims” section, and upload the superbill for reimbursement. Keep track of whether the reimbursement goes toward your deductible or if the insurer issues a reimbursement check.
      • Patience is Key: Be prepared for potentially longer processing times for out-of-network claims. While the process may require some effort, it’s worthwhile if it means you can access the mental health care you need.
    • No Out-of-Network Reimbursement: In some cases, insurance plans do not cover any out-of-network services. If this is your situation, you have options:
      • Appeal to Your Insurance: You can appeal to your insurance company to consider covering your out-of-network therapy sessions. Gather all necessary information, including your insurance policy, therapy session receipts, and any correspondence with your insurance provider. Write a compelling appeal letter explaining why you need out-of-network therapy and why you believe coverage is warranted. Include any supporting documentation and submit the appeal. Patience and persistence may be required, but it can be worth the effort to maximize your insurance benefits.
      • Sliding Scale Payment: If you’re concerned about therapy costs, don’t hesitate to ask about fees and inquire about a sliding scale rate. Explain your financial limitations and your desire to receive support within your budget. We understand the financial constraints and the current state of the economy, so we are willing to try to accommodate to assist you the best. Please keep in mind that there are limited slots for sliding scale, so if there are no openings, we will provide you with another referral to best fit your financial needs.
  • To engage in discussions with insurance companies regarding out-of-network benefits, consider these commonly helpful inquiries:
    1. Do I have out-of-network benefits for mental health services?
    2. What specific services fall under my coverage?
    3. Could you tell me what my deductible is? And once my deductible has been met what is my reimbursement percentage?
    4. Are mental health services included in my out-of-network benefits? Including teletherapy?
    5. How many therapy sessions does my plan support?
    6. What is the anticipated timeframe for receiving reimbursement checks?
    7. Do I have existing out-of-network coverage?
    8. Is prior authorization necessary?
    9. Which address should I use for sending therapy receipts, and are there any accompanying forms required?
    10. If you’re interested in family or couples therapy, ensure that your insurance covers CPT code 90847, as many plans do not include couples or family therapy within their coverage.

Policy Information

    • We understand that life can be unpredictable. If you need to reschedule or cancel an appointment, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice. Late cancellations will incur a fee, not covered by insurance or HSA &FSA. If we can reschedule you for the same week, the fee may be waived, but this is subject to the therapist’s availability.
    • When you join as a new client you can receive either email and/or text appointment reminders, however you are able to opt out and it is your responsibility to manage your schedule.

If advance notice is not received that you will not be attending your session, you will be financially responsible for the full payment of the session you missed. This is known as a “No-Show”. This will not be billed through your insurance, and you will pay a fee. This fee will be charged on the day of the no-show. If we are unable to take your payment, then you will be unable to schedule any further sessions until payment in full is received.

This will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and dependent on how long the clinician will be out and the reason. However, in most cases it will just be a recorded cancellation. You will not be charged prior to a session occurring and only at the start or after a session, so if it is cancelled you will not be charged. If the clinician needs to cancel your appointment, we will work with you to get you rescheduled for another date or time that week, if possible. If you don’t have the availability to change then we will just keep your next scheduled appointment or schedule for something sooner.

If you will be running more than 7 minutes late it is requested that a call or message is given to inform your therapist of your estimated arrival. If you are more than 20 minutes late, please note that your session may be cancelled, and you will be responsible for the late fee. If you do not inform your therapist that you are running late and have not arrived by 15 minutes into your session, you will be deemed as a no-show and you will be responsible for the charge, so please always reach out to keep your therapist informed.

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