What should I expect in my first meeting?
The first meeting with a therapist is called an Intake - the main objectives of this meeting are helping you to understand the therapy process and to be informed about what you’re signing up for, as well as helping me get to know you and understand what you’re looking for. This meeting more than any other will involve you answering a lot of questions about yourself - but don’t worry, you get to decide what you’re ready to talk about and what you’re not. Often times at the end of the first session we start to identify what your goals are for therapy, and think about small steps you might take toward these goals before you come in next time.
How many sessions will I need?
This depends entirely on what issues you’re struggling with and what goals you have for yourself. Often times therapy can be as short as 4-8 sessions, but for many people who have struggled with their concerns for years or decades, we might meet for 6 months to a year. Early in therapy I will do my best to set a timeline with you so we can agree upon approximately how many times we plan to meet.
How often will I have sessions?
In the beginning of therapy I prefer to see most people once a week for a 50 minute session. After you’ve started making progress and are feeling better, we might move to every other week or once a month to help transition to the end of therapy.
Will I get a diagnosis?
Many people who are seeking therapy will receive a diagnosis at some point during the process. For some, having a name for the struggles they’ve been experiencing can be a relief, and helps to provide a path forward. For others, it can be scary to receive a “label” and they might feel that they’re stuck with this for life. When we meet you can choose whether or not you want to know your diagnosis (you always have the right to know!), and it’s something we will talk about together.
Are you LGBTQIA affirming?
Yes! Diversity and inclusion are very important values in my life and my practice and I strive to create a welcoming and affirming environment for people from all backgrounds and identities.
Do you provide emergency services in between sessions?
Because I cannot guarantee that I will be available when a crisis comes up, I do not provide crisis or emergency services. If you are in crisis and need immediate assistance please use one of the following services:
Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255
Text “HOME” to 741741 to access the Crisis Text Line
Call 911 or present to your local emergency room
Can I work with you if I’m not in Arkansas?
Possibly! I primarily provide services to clients in the state of Arkansas, but I am authorized to provide services to clients in states that have opted in to PsyPact. You can check the map here to see if your state is included. In most situations, I will recommend that you find a local provider, but if there is a specific reason I would be a good fit for you or local care is not available to you we can discuss working together.
How much will it cost?
Individual sessions range from $180-230 and I accept BCBS health insurance and debit/credit card payments through the client portal. Payment is due the day of each session. Your mental health is an investment, just like any other aspect of your health and well-being, and I ensure that I provide the highest quality care tailored individually to meet your goals. I am in-network for BlueCross BlueShield and Aetna, if you have either let’s talk together about how payment will work.
Clients who are not insured or choose not to use their health insurance are entitled to a Good Faith Estimate of the cost of their care. You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health 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 expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. I will provide you with a Good Faith Estimate before your scheduled 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.