Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions that I hear. If you have additional questions, please contact me and ask!
Do you only work with children and teens?
No! I work primarily with middle-school and high-school aged individuals, but I also work with young adults through elder adults. If you are not a teen, but think we would be a good fit or are interested in hearing more, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Do you accept insurance?
I do! I accept most major insurances, including Allegiance, BCBS, Pacific Source, Mountain Health Coop, Optum, EBMS, Medicaid, and Medicare. While I can bill your insurance, knowing your specific plan and coverage is your responsibility. I highly encourage you to call your insurance provider prior to meeting. Please note that to bill insurance, you must meet “medical necessity” as deemed by your insurance company. This means that a mental health-related diagnosis must be made in order to meet medical necessity.
What questions should I ask my insurance provider?
What is my deductible and how much more must be met before meeting full benefits? What is my out-of-pocket maximum? What is my copay? Is there a limit to how many therapy sessions are covered per year and, if so, how many? What is the calendar year for my deductible?
What can I expect in session?
Sessions are highly tailored to you or your child’s needs. Some individuals feel fully comfortable sitting on the couch and yapping for an hour, while others feel most comfortable if their hands are busy with fidgets or coloring or painting, and still others feel most comfortable and focused while engaging in a shared activity or game. Sometimes, we may utilize worksheets or workbooks. Sometimes, I may offer homework. What works for one doesn’t always work for another so we will work together to find what works best for you or your child.
How long will I be in therapy?
Oof, this is a difficult question to answer. Because everyone is different and each person’s needs are unique, length of time in therapy will differ. Some people will have very targeted goals that can be met in 8-12 sessions, some people’s goals may take years to meet, and some people may continue to find new goals over the course of many, many years and may consider themselves “lifers.” It is always my goal to work myself out of a job and not keep people in therapy for longer than their goals require.
Because building trust and creating a strong therapeutic relationship has been shown to directly impact therapeutic outcomes, it is important to note that for some, building that trust can take months, or even years. Therapy is a process and while I wish I had a magic wand to wave and make all things better, I don’t, so settle in as we get to build a relationship as our foundational building block. I ask that you trust the process and ask any and all questions that may arise along the way. You are ultimately in control of when the therapeutic journey ends for yourself or your child, and can choose to terminate services at any point.
