Below are some frequently asked questions related to therapy, and the therapy process. Still have questions? Feel free to contact me.
01/ What are your fees and services?
- Kelley Initial Intake: (50-minute session) $175
- Kelley Individual Session: (45-50 minute session) $140
- Rachelle Individual Intake: (50-minute session) $200
- Rachelle Individual Session: (45-50-minute session) $170
Additional information about services
- Kelley is licensed in Arizona and only sees Arizona Clients.
- Rachelle is independently licensed in Arizona and Washington and sees clients in both states.
02/ What payment methods do you accept?
I accept MasterCard, American Express, Visa, Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts. I do require that you keep a card on file.
03/ How do I use out-of-network benefits?
Many insurance companies offer some type of Out-of-Network coverage. If you wish to use Out-of-Network benefits I will provide you with a monthly superbill that you may submit to your insurance provider. Fees are payable at the time of service, and you may be able to seek reimbursement from your insurance provider at a later date. Please call your insurance company for their policy and procedure on your reimbursement as different companies have different protocols.
04/ How long does therapy last?
Unfortunately, there is no end-all-be-all answer to this question. Your therapy is catered to your individual needs and goals. In other words, depending on your goals, this can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few years.
05/ What are the pros and cons of using health insurance vs. private pay?
PROS
Some pros to using health insurance are that therapy can be more affordable if you see an in-network provider. With an in-network provider, you will only be responsible for a co-pay and/or your deductible. Health insurance is expensive, so by choosing to use your insurance, you can get the most out of your insurance.
CONS
If you have been looking for a therapist recently, you may have found that many are self pay, meaning you pay for therapy out-of-pocket, and do not accept insurance. This practice is becoming increasingly common. Here are some of the reasons why:
Chose your own therapist: Managed care companies generally have a list of preferred providers that consumers have to choose from. You may not like the choices you have, the therapists listed may not have the experience or specialty you are seeking or the specific therapist you want to see may not be included in this list. By paying out-of-pocket, you have a much larger selection of therapists to choose from, so you are able to find the best therapist for you.
Chose type and length of therapy: Research indicates that the longer a person is in therapy the more benefits are received. When using insurance, the managed care companies are the ones who determine the number of sessions and the type of therapy they will pay for.
Insurances influence clinical decisions: Insurance companies can impact the number of sessions, frequency, and even the diagnosis a client is given. For example, if someone seeks grief counseling, many insurance companies do not cover bereavement. A therapist must diagnosis the individual with a “mental health disorder” in order to be reimbursed for services. Insurance companies can also seek information regarding the presenting issues, progress made, and treatment goals. If they do not agree with the plan the therapist and client have developed together, they may decide to not reimburse for services provided. Although you may only have a $40.00 co-pay per session through your insurance, you will likely have a limited number of sessions they will pay. If you feel this has not efficiently helped you, you will either have to stop therapy, pay for it out-of-pocket, or negotiate with your insurance company for the need to continue therapy.
06/ Telehealth vs. in-person therapy?
Telehealth or “virtual counseling,” “online counseling,” “video therapy,” is becoming a more widely used method for therapy. Some pros and cons of telehealth are:
PROS
Telehealth has been shown to be just as effective as in-person counseling for many mental health conditions.
Convenience: you don’t have to leave your home, office, or school. In addition, you save time due to not having to drive to and from an office.
Increased comfort level due to receiving therapy in an environment that you are comfortable and familiar with.
Safety– we live in a world where we are all trying to adapt to our new “normal.” Telehealth allows for people to still be able to participate in therapy while “social distancing” and remaining safe.
CONS
Technical issues– there is the chance of a poor connection, lagging video or sound.
Confidentiality– the therapist can assure confidentiality on their end, but the client is responsible for confidentiality from their end.
May miss certain details- at times certain audio and visual cues may be missed which can impact therapy.
07/ Do you offer in-person therapy?
I do not offer in-person therapy. I am only seeing clients over my telehealth platform.
08/ What do I need to do to prepare for a telehealth session?
A stable internet connection, and either a smartphone, tablet, or computer (desktop or laptop). The device needs to have a camera for video sessions.
09/ How do I know when it is time to get support?
When something causes distress and interferes with some part of life. Particularly when the issue causes your quality of life to decrease and/or negatively impacts school, work, or relationships.
10/ Cancellation Policy
I allow you to cancel your appointment with no charge with 24 hours of notice, otherwise, it is considered a late cancellation. I allow for 1 late cancellation or no-show appointment per year without a charge, after that, I will charge the full session fee. Please feel free to ask me any questions about this.