Frequently Asked Questions
(AND SOME LESS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)
If you’re new to therapy, welcome! Starting therapy or working with a new therapist can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Maybe you’ve never had a safe space to process your feelings, or perhaps you’re not sure where to begin. Here I’ve included questions that may arise as you begin your therapeutic journey.
If you’ve been in therapy before, welcome back. I hope your past experiences have been positive. Through our work together, you’ll soon be able to continue your journey toward personal growth and fulfillment.
Don’t see your question here?
Send me an email with your inquiry so I can get back to you.
Availability & Cancellation Policy
I am currently seeing all individual therapy clients via Telehealth.
Unfortunately, I am currently only licensed to practice in Illinois, Maryland, Oregon, and Washington and am therefore unable to see clients who do not permanently reside in one of these states.
Should you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please notify me via phone or email at least 24 hours in advance. If you do not provide 24 hours’ notice, you will be responsible for paying the full session fee.
Financial Considerations
A Soul Awake Psychotherapy, LLC is an out-of-network provider and does not bill insurance companies directly. However, your services may be eligible for partial or full reimbursement through out-of-network insurance coverage, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), or Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
Prior to your first appointment, you are encouraged to call your insurance provider to ask if you have out-of-network coverage for mental health services. Reference CPT code 90791 for the intake session (60 minutes) and 90834 for all sessions thereafter (45 minutes). Let the representative you speak with on the phone know that services will be offered via Telehealth.
Many clients receive reimbursement up to 50 – 80% if they have out-of-network benefits. Please see the Fees & Insurance page for more information. Plus, learn how Reimbursify can simplify the claims process for you.
Working with an Out-of-Network Therapist
There are many advantages to working with an out-of-network therapist, some of which include:
▢ If you have good out-of-network benefits, your insurance company may reimburse you for up to 80% of your therapy expenses.
▢ If you have a high deductible, and you haven’t had any other medical expenses yet during the year, you are responsible for paying this amount in therapy session fees prior to your standard co-pay kicking in. In such instances, working with an in-network therapist can effectively cost the same as seeing an out-of-network therapist.
▢ If you want to maintain privacy from your insurance company, working with an out-of-network therapist is beneficial. In order for your insurance to cover therapy expenses when working with an in-network provider, your therapist is required to submit certain information regarding your sessions to your insurance company, including a diagnostic code.
▢ If you don’t want to go on a waitlist, an out-of-network provider might be more readily available. It can be difficult to find a therapist who is in-network and accepting new clients, especially for lesser-known insurance companies.
▢ If you’re set on finding an ideal match, seeking providers that only accept insurance might be limiting. This can be particularly true if you’re looking to work with a therapist who has a more specialized focus, such as eating disorders, perinatal needs, or performance anxiety.
The Therapeutic Process
Duration of therapy varies from person to person and depends on factors such as: your reason for seeking therapy; your previous therapy experience; what type of therapy you’re receiving; any services you may be receiving concurrently; how often you see your therapist; your openness to the therapeutic process; and scheduling and financial considerations. At A Soul Awake Psychotherapy, LLC, new clients are generally seen on a weekly basis for the first 4 to 6 weeks. After that, if you and I determine that meeting biweekly or monthly is deemed appropriate, then we can discuss this as a treatment option. While some clients are seeking short-term therapy (3 to 6 months), others may find that their goals change over time, and therefore, benefit from working with a therapist for several years.
Then I look forward to working with you! Whether you’ve seen a therapist in the past or this is your first time, I hope that our work together will be a rewarding experience for you and provide you with a strong foundation for growth and change.
In order to better maintain a client’s growth and foster her autonomy, I commonly assign homework between sessions. Examples include mindfulness practices; time in nature; journaling prompts; relaxation techniques; boundaries exploration; self-care assessments; or reading assignments.
Clients tend to report that such exercises lead to greater self-awareness and insight; improved mood; and increased productivity, while allowing them to tap into different strength and skill areas.
Yes/ yes/ yes/ yes
You are welcome to refer a friend to A Soul Awake Psychotherapy, LLC! Please be mindful however of whether it is in your best interest for your therapist to also see someone you are close to as a client.
Confidentiality & Crisis Resources
Generally, what you disclose in therapy remains confidential with a few exceptions:
1. You sign a written request to have information released
2. I believe you are a danger to yourself or others
3. The life or safety of an identified or readily identifiable third person is endangered or threatened
4. I have reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect of a vulnerable child or a vulnerable adult
5. You disclose experiencing abuse or neglect before the age of 18 and provide readily identifiable information about the perpetrator
6. Otherwise required or permitted by law
Note on electronic communication: Because email and text messaging are not fully confidential, please refrain from using either of these modalities to communicate with me about personal matters or what we discuss in therapy. Never use email or text messaging to send an urgent or crisis message.
Please visit the Crisis Hotlines page if you are in need of extra support. If you are in immediate serious crisis, please go to one of the local hospital emergency rooms for help or call 911.
Referral Services
At the present time, A Soul Awake Psychotherapy, LLC does not offer child, family, or couples therapy. However I am happy to provide referrals should you be interested in one or more of these services.
A Soul Awake Psychotherapy, LLC does not offer medication management services. However, I am happy to provide referrals for psychiatric services and coordinate with your prescriber if this is desirable.
Getting Personal
Too young to be Gen X, too old to be Gen Z
Virgo
When I’m not immersed in clinical work, I enjoy ticking books off my to-read list (often with a cup of tea in hand), exploring new hiking trails, making the best desserts, going for runs, learning new board games, and playing with my sweet pup, Lyla.
Quality over quantity, curiosity, lifelong learning, self-inquiry, screen-time breaks, intentional moments of stillness, humor, imperfection, the healing power of nature, creativity, unwavering self-compassion, and play.