FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

IS TELEHEALTH ONLINE EFFECTIVE?

The answer is YES!!!! Research as shown that interventions delivered electronically is more effective than face to face… Cognitive behavioral approaches delivered electronically to treat people with depression is more effective than face to face, suggests an evidence review led by McMaster University. See our blog page with research articles to read that proves it!!!

COUPLES RATES

Unfortunately, insurance companies will have a perspective similar to cosmetic surgery – it’s great, but it’s not medically necessary. Insurance does not usually cover treatment for couples’. Insurance only covers what is seen as “medically necessary” in regards to mental health and wellness.

If a therapy practices allow you to use your health insurance for couples work, they must choose one partner as the main client, give them a mental health diagnosis, and then given a number of allowed sessions. Sessions are required to meet insurance documentation guidelines for the treatment of the diagnosis rather than the goal of couples therapy.

****Keep this in mind if/when you will be requesting a Superbill before your first session.

INDIVIDUAL RATES

I am an Out of Network provider with all insurances which means I do not bill any insurances. I would be happy to provide you with monthly paperwork (Superbill) which you can use to submit to your insurance for a possible partial or full reimbursement.

You are responsible for contacting your insurance to explore your plan benefits and submitting the claims to your insurance for reimbursement.

To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call member services. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers.

Please keep in mind, there are many reasons an insurance company may not reimburse for sessions that you have paid out of pocket. Reimbursement for services should be viewed as a bonus, not a financial necessity in order to participate in services with me.

An Invoice will be created and payment is due by scheduled session or sessions will be canceled or rescheduled.

We do accept most credit cards and FSA/HSA!

WHAT IS BRAINSPOTTING?

Brainspotting is similar to EMDR but different , it works amazingly to heal your brain from trauma and release trapped emotions in your body, it’s easy,simple and effective!). CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!

Brainspotting Empowers your Mind to do the Necessary Healing!

Brainspotting is a powerful, advanced form of trauma therapy that can access parts of the brain that are hidden from one’s awareness. Brainspotting has a powerful effect in uncovering and healing emotional and psychological wounds you may never have known existed but may actively be affecting your daily life, decisions, and choices.

Brainspotting treatment works best for individuals who are struggling with anxiety disorders, panic-attacks, attachment issues, childhood trauma, post-traumatic stress, Grief/Loss, and more. *Not for treatment of any disassociations or disassociate disorders

HOW LONG WILL I BE IN THERAPY?

I meet with clients weekly and biweekly at minimum. Each session lasts the duration of the appointment time you scheduled. This consistency maximizes the impact of the work and allows us to make legitimate progress toward your goals.

The total duration of your treatment is up to you! Some people come for a “tune up” type of experience. They only want/need a handful of sessions and feel equipped to move on. Others prefer to dive in and do deeper work and those individuals may choose to commit to longer periods of time.

Research suggests that addressing acute symptoms like general stress and anxiety typically requires a minimum of 15 to 20 sessions for significant improvement. For more complex, chronic issues like processing childhood trauma, the number of sessions can vary widely, ranging from 30 to 150. It’s crucial for anyone considering therapy to be fully aware of this commitment, both emotionally and financially.

WHAT IS YOUR TRAINING?

I have over 12 years of formal education and training, along with almost 10 years of clinical training and experience. My undergrad degrees are in Psychology and Predmedicine Biology. My graduate studies are extensivley trainined in Systems Theories & Marriage and Family Therapy Systems. I have clinical internship and post-program trainings in community mental health, alcohol & drug treatment, schizophrenic and bipolar recovery, and extensive relational work and healing. My clinical premedicine training was in the biological sciences such as gross anatomy & physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology, physics, chemistry, biochemistry, neuroscience & gross neuroscience, and pharmacology, as well as conventional medical diagnosis and treatment. In addition, I have formal externship training for couples therapy in EFT & Attachment Healing, Gottman, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma & Clinical Anxiety Treatment.

DO YOU PRESCRIBE MEDICATIONS?

No. I do not prescribe or make recommendations about prescription medications or controlled substances. Your prescribing medical doctor will manage all medications. I use natural, noninvasive methods such as stress management techniques and lifestyle changes to address the underlying causes of disease and promote optimal function and health.

PAYMENT

We keep a credit card on file in a HIPAA compliant portal and charge your card following each session. If this doesn’t sit well, then payment can be made over the phone prior to your scheduled session. Other options include health savings account, and all major credit cards. All payments are due by scheduled appointment. All credit cards accepted and HSA/FSA as well!

CANCELLATION POLICY

We respectfully ask for 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule your appointment as who have reserved that time and date exclusively for you. No Shows and late cancellations can result in a charge $75 fee. If an unexpected emergency arises we will try to reschedule you as soon as possible within reasonable time. We know life happens… it’s ok!

SUPERBILLS

A superbill is a document that contains all of the information necessary for an insurance company or other third party to make a decision on reimbursement for health expenses incurred by a client. It is not a receipt. It is not an invoice. It is not a claim. A superbill provides the client with the information they need to work directly with their respective plans.

Some helpful questions to ask your insurance benefit team:

Do I have a mental or behavioral health policy with out of network benefits?

What is the coverage amount per therapy sessions?

How much does my insurance pay for an out of network provider?

Check reimbursement for CPT codes 90791, 90837, 90846 and 90847

Do I have a out of network deductible?

How much of my out of network deductible has been met?

WHY WE DON’T ACCEPT MOST INSURANCE

We don’t believe in being defined by a diagnosis or set limitations from insurance agencies. Investment in health and wellness should be LIMITLESS..

If you are seeking Couples, marriage and relationship counseling, insurance for covering this specialty area can be challenging. Marriage/Couples Counseling is not always covered, and if it is, it can be limited in allowed number of sessions you are allowed.

This is a specialty focused service that focuses on healing relationships with yourself, and the relationships you have with others! Advanced education and trainings are behind the quality services you will receive with Avenues of Hope! We can promise you, the passion and dedication to growing ourselves, our specialty interventions, and investment in helping you, is our mission!

GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE

The No surprises Act or Good Faith Estimate was created to prevent clients from unexpected medical & healthcare costs. The costs are difficult to determine in due to the length of treatment and type of interventions required. This is not a one size fits all, and can vary with every client. How long it takes to heal and recover is dependent on many variables. A GFE will be happily shared upon request. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit http://www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

THIS IS ABOUT A QUALITY INVESTMENT..IN YOU!

Your emotional well-being is a vital requirement to overall health & wellbeing! Having the right skills and healthy mindset sets the stage to creating and maintaining quality relationships, it fosters self-esteem, and rebuilds the relationship with yourself! An investment in your mental emotional and physical wellbeing is priceless. You deserve to create the life & future waiting for you!

So, if you need help, don’t let money be the thing that keeps you from getting it.