Frequently Asked Questions
Who Goes to therapy? How do i know if i need therapy?
The catalyst for starting therapy is as unique and diverse as the individuals who seek it! Depending on the specific situation, therapy can provide help in the form of support, information, guidance, self-knowledge, and/or the space to learn and practice new tools. We strongly believe that everyone can find benefits in therapy!
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a therapist? which one do i need?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) and has the ability to prescribe medication. They focus primarily on treatment through psychotropic medication therapy. These appointments will usually be less frequent and shorter.
A therapist/counselor is a licensed mental health provider who provides talk therapy. These sessions are usually longer and more frequent. A therapist is not able to prescribe medication.
It is not required to see one before the other, although if you have not seen a mental health provider in the past, we usually recommend starting with a therapist who can help determine the best treatment plan.
A therapist/counselor is a licensed mental health provider who provides talk therapy. These sessions are usually longer and more frequent. A therapist is not able to prescribe medication.
It is not required to see one before the other, although if you have not seen a mental health provider in the past, we usually recommend starting with a therapist who can help determine the best treatment plan.
Do i need a referral to schedule an appointment?
We require a referral for medication management services only. A referral is not necessary for counseling services but are accepted.
do you take my insurance? how much will it cost?
We take most major insurance companies! This includes Blue Cross Blue Shield, Tricare, Aetna, Cigna, PHCS, and United Healthcare. The only way to be sure that your insurance is accepted and will cover mental health is to contact your insurance company directly. They will be able to tell you what your specific plan covers.
While our admin staff works hard to predict your cost based on your insurance plan, we will not know for sure until we have billed the insurance for a session. If you contact your insurance company, they will be able to let you know if there is a copay or deductible required for mental health. From there, our admin staff will be able to give you an anticipated cost. This is not exact and is subject to change depending on the limitations of your plan.
While our admin staff works hard to predict your cost based on your insurance plan, we will not know for sure until we have billed the insurance for a session. If you contact your insurance company, they will be able to let you know if there is a copay or deductible required for mental health. From there, our admin staff will be able to give you an anticipated cost. This is not exact and is subject to change depending on the limitations of your plan.
what about medicaid and medicare?
Our providers are not in network with any Medicaid or Medicare programs.
do you treat children/adolescents? What ages do you see?
Counseling services are available for ages 5 and above, while medication management is offered to ages 6 and older.
Each of our providers varies in the age range of patients they see.
Check out our provider’s individual bios under the 'our team' tab to learn more!
Each of our providers varies in the age range of patients they see.
Check out our provider’s individual bios under the 'our team' tab to learn more!
Are you ACCEPTING new patients?
Yes! We are currently accepting new patients for therapy and medication management services.
All new patients are evaluated to ensure we will be the best fit for your situation and offer the best level of care.
All new patients are evaluated to ensure we will be the best fit for your situation and offer the best level of care.
What is the process OF BECOMING a new patient?
If you are new to our office or have not been seen in over a year, we will need electronic paperwork completed prior to scheduling.
You can use the 'new patient tab' to guide you in the right direction.
You can use the 'new patient tab' to guide you in the right direction.
why do i have to fill out paperwork before i get an appointment?
We have patients sign our practice policies and informed consent documents to allow them adequate time to fully review and understand the legal documents required for treatment.
We require an intake form to be completed to ensure that we are able to treat your specific needs and to identify which providers will best fit your needs!
We require an intake form to be completed to ensure that we are able to treat your specific needs and to identify which providers will best fit your needs!
do you accept walk-in PATIENTS?
We do not accept walk-in patients. Our providers keep full schedules and usually cannot speak with you without an appointment. You may contact our office for more information regarding contacting your provider.
do you offer emergency appointments?
Our office is not equipped to offer emergency appointments. Our providers are frequently fully booked. We offer a cancelation list for all providers and a patient portal that allows patients to check openings as they become available.
If you feel that you are at an immediate risk of harm to yourself or someone else, please call 911 or visit the closest emergency room. If you go to the ER, that will not affect your ability to continue care with us.
You can also look at the 'resource' tab for additional resources,
If you feel that you are at an immediate risk of harm to yourself or someone else, please call 911 or visit the closest emergency room. If you go to the ER, that will not affect your ability to continue care with us.
You can also look at the 'resource' tab for additional resources,
What do i need to bring to my first appointment?
You will need a copy of your insurance card and your ID. If there are any supplemental information/documents that you would like to share with your provider, you can bring those as well. There is also an option on our patient portal to upload documents electronically. These go directly into your chart for your provider to view!
We suggest arriving at your first appointment approximately 10 minutes prior to the start time. This ensures that our admin staff can get the necessary information from you before your appointment.
We suggest arriving at your first appointment approximately 10 minutes prior to the start time. This ensures that our admin staff can get the necessary information from you before your appointment.
As a parent, will I be required to come to my child’s appointments?
Our providers require at least one parent/guardian to attend the initial session for minors. This allows parents to meet with the provider and provide background information for their child that could be essential to their treatment. After the initial session, you can discuss any protentional involvement with your provider.
I’m already seeing a therapist. CAN i also see a therapist at your office?
Our therapists are not able to see a patient that is currently receiving therapy with another provider. Insurance will not cover the cost and it is unethical to do so.
The exception is if you are seeking a different type of treatment. For example, if you are seeing a therapist for individual sessions and would like to also see a therapist for marriage/family therapy. If that is the case, you are welcome to see one of our therapists for one and another therapist for the other. Our staff will be able to help you determine how this relates to your specific needs!
The exception is if you are seeking a different type of treatment. For example, if you are seeing a therapist for individual sessions and would like to also see a therapist for marriage/family therapy. If that is the case, you are welcome to see one of our therapists for one and another therapist for the other. Our staff will be able to help you determine how this relates to your specific needs!
Can I choose which provider i see?
Of course! If there is a provider you have been referred to, or if you have specific requests regarding your provider, our staff will always prioritize your choice. Our clinical services coordinators may suggest a different provider depending on your intake or availability. However, we will schedule you with the provider of your choice whenever possible.
Check out the ‘Provider’ tab for individual bios that may help you determine if there is a person you believe would best fit your needs!
Check out the ‘Provider’ tab for individual bios that may help you determine if there is a person you believe would best fit your needs!
Can I get an appointment for my significant other/family member? Can I talk to my family member’s therapist?
In order to provide confidentiality for all patients, we do not allow family members or significant others to make appointments for someone else. We ask the individual seeking treatment to speak to our staff directly to establish care.
If there is a concern that you would like to voice to your family member’s provider, please email our staff and they will pass it along to the appropriate provider.
We are not able to confirm that someone is a patient at our office, and we cannot give out any information to anyone without a signed release on file.
If there is a concern that you would like to voice to your family member’s provider, please email our staff and they will pass it along to the appropriate provider.
We are not able to confirm that someone is a patient at our office, and we cannot give out any information to anyone without a signed release on file.
Can my family member/sibling/significant other see the same therapist as me?
We prefer not to schedule family members or significant others with the same therapist. This ensures that both parties' confidentiality is maintained and there is no conflict of interest. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis at the therapist’s discretion. Your specific therapist will be happy to answer any questions you may have or recommend an alternative provider for your family member.
How does confidentiality work?
Our priority is our patient’s confidentiality! We require all of our staff to be trained in HIPAA compliance. Anything said during a session is confidential and will not be shared with anyone without your permission.
However, our providers are mandated reporters and are legally required to report abuse or neglect when they receive information giving them a reason to believe that a child’s physical or mental health has been or may be adversely affected by abuse or neglect. Your provider can explain what this means for your specific situation and answer any further questions.
However, our providers are mandated reporters and are legally required to report abuse or neglect when they receive information giving them a reason to believe that a child’s physical or mental health has been or may be adversely affected by abuse or neglect. Your provider can explain what this means for your specific situation and answer any further questions.
How long is a session? How frequently will i be seen?
Depending on the therapist you are paired with, sessions will be either 45 or 60 minutes.
Our psychiatrist sees patients for an initial 30-minute session and follow-up 15-minute sessions.
Our physician assistant and psychiatric nurse practitioner sees patients for an initial 60-minute session and follow-up 30-minute sessions.
The frequency of follow-up appointments is something that will be determined during your first session with your provider. This varies depending on your schedule, the provider’s availability, and your individual needs.
Our psychiatrist sees patients for an initial 30-minute session and follow-up 15-minute sessions.
Our physician assistant and psychiatric nurse practitioner sees patients for an initial 60-minute session and follow-up 30-minute sessions.
The frequency of follow-up appointments is something that will be determined during your first session with your provider. This varies depending on your schedule, the provider’s availability, and your individual needs.
Still have a question? Contact our admin staff!