Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I expect to be in therapy?
There is no real definitive answer to this question. It is safe to say that more than an appointment or two is necessary to make progress on the concerns you are struggling with. However, some people find that a few appointments are sufficient. Still others choose to engage in treatment more long-term, or will continue to check-in periodically, but not engage on a frequent basis. While I may have a clinical opinion, ultimately it is up to you to determine what you want out of therapy, and when you feel you have obtained that.
Another consideration in length of treatment is the severity of your concerns. When it comes to eating disorders, treatment typically is a longer process and requires long-term engagement. And depending on the severity and impact of trauma experienced, this is another area that may require longer engagement in treatment.
How does billing work?
The appointment fee is $130.00 for an appointment up to 50 minutes (typically 45 to 50 minutes). I am not in-network with any insurances, so you are billed directly for the full amount. Payment is collected at the time of services being provided. You will be required to keep a form of payment on file (credit card, debit card, Health Savings Account (HSA), or Flex Spending Account (FSA)) that will be stored in a HIPAA and PCI compliant location. This stored payment form will be billed immediately after our appointment (or shortly after), or you may provide another form of payment at the end of the appointment. If you will be paying using an HSA or FSA, you will be required to have a second form of payment on file (credit or debit card) for the purpose of no-shows and short-notice cancellations/rescheduling. I will be able to provide you with a paid receipt/invoice (called a superbill) that you may submit to your insurance for out-of-network reimbursement, but it is your responsibility to talk with your insurance provider to determine if that is possible and to submit the required paperwork.
Why can't you bill my insurance?
There are several reasons why I don’t bill insurance. One is the unpredictability of navigating insurance coverage. I may go through the process of completing and submitting insurance paperwork, all for you to still end up with the full, or close to the full bill. Insurance providers may also dictate or control the type of treatment you receive or the type of diagnosis and treatment they cover. By not billing insurance, I can offer more individualized care to meet your unique needs and goals.
What will I need to do online therapy?
Athelas Counseling uses Google Meet as the platform for offering online therapy (tele-health). This is a HIPAA compliant platform that is free for you to use on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. It is required that you have both video and audio capabilities turned on during appointments, and are in a private area to maintain confidentiality. Also, it is not allowed for anyone involved (you or me) to record the appointment without permission from all persons involved.
What do I need to do before my first appointment?
Once your first appointment is scheduled, there are 3 documents you need to read, fill out, and return to me before your appointment. The first is an intake form, which collects contact, demographic, and billing information. The second is an Informed Consent & Consent to Treatment document, which details information, expectations, and policies related to treatment with Athelas Counseling. The third is a HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices document, which details federal laws in regards to your protected health information (PHI), as well as how Athelas Counseling will protect, and may use or disclose that information. All 3 of these documents are completed using Google Forms, which is HIPAA compliant, and are required to be submitted prior to your first appointment.
What will my first appointment be like?
Your first appointment begins by taking care of housekeeping items, including making sure required documents are signed and submitted, reviewing certain aspects of those documents, and answering any questions you may have about those documents.
Once that is done, we will focus on you, and what your concerns and needs are. It will be a time for you to share your story. Oftentimes it will include questions from me so I can better understand your concerns, how they are impacting you, and how I can best help you.
It will conclude with a discussion on what treatment will look like going forward and setting expectations for both of us.
What is your
no-show policy?
My no-show policy includes not showing up for your scheduled appointment and cancelling or rescheduling your appointment with less that 24 hours notice. If you do not show for your scheduled appointment, or cancel or reschedule with less than 24 hours notice, you will be charged the no-show fee, which is $65.00 (half of the normal appointment fee).
EMDR? Through online therapy (tele-health)?
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective, evidence-based treatment for trauma that I am trained in. While this is a treatment that was originally designed and implemented for in-person treatment, it has been adapted to be used effectively through online therapy (tele-health). Should this be a treatment you engage in, we will discuss the best way to implement this treatment that is most effective and comfortable for you.
Treatment for my eating disorder will help me lose weight, right?
It is a normal desire to want to lose weight or change your body when struggling with an eating disorder. While I have compassion for such a desire, my focus is not on helping you change your body size, but to help you heal mentally and emotionally. If you have a goal for weight loss, that should be discussed with other appropriate healthcare providers, including informing them of your eating disorder. The treatment I offer has a “Health at Every Size” approach, which includes adopting a lifestyle that promotes healthy eating habits and enjoyable physical activity as a way to feel and think better about yourself.
