Certified IFS Therapist & Approved IFS Consultant
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs Online Therapy in NH, MA, or MI
What happens during the first therapy session?
The first session lasts 53 minutes and I learn more about your therapy goals, your background and relevant history, and how you want to grow and change. We decide what your treatment goals are together and what kind of therapy approach will work for you IFS, EMDR, Gentle Reprocessing, Mindfulness or another approach)
How often will I need to come to counseling?
Weekly therapy sessions are the most effective way to help clients achieve their goals. Each session lasts for 45-50 minutes and we will pick a weekly time to meet consistently that works for both our schedules. As you improve, we can decide to space therapy out either bi-weekly or monthly.
How long do I need to come counseling?
Many different variables go into counseling so it is hard to give an exact time frame for how long it will take to reach your therapeutic goals. Approximately every month we will re-evaluate where you are in reaching your goals and if there are new goals to explore.
How much do sessions cost?
The following options for private pay are available:
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53-minute session $180.00
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90-minute session $270
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5-package deal of 90-minute sessions: $1250 (savings of $250).
Are sessions covered by my insurance?
I do accept United Behavioral Health/Optum/United Health, Aetna, and Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield/ WellPoint/Harvard Pilgrim Plans and AmeriHealth Cartis.
I am an out-of-network provider for other PPOs. However, some clients make the decision to not use their insurance benefits because of the following advantages:
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Your information remains private. Your insurance company doesn’t have access to treatment records or notes.
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You don’t have a diagnosis permanently attached to your medical record.
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We get to decide the course, frequency, and length of treatment based on your need and my professional recommendations instead of what the insurance allows.
What if you are not in-network with my insurance?
If I am not in network with your insurance and you have an Out-of-Network benefit you can use one of the options below or your insurance company may have a free site to enter in the Superbill information. I’ll provide you with a superbill (a receipt with all the information you need to submit to your insurance company). This does not apply to Medicare nor Medicaid insurances. Medicare, Medicaid, and HMO plans do not allow for out-of-network billing that I’m aware.
Easy Reimbursement:
Reimbursify – submit your superbill quickly for low cost. You get reimbursed directly by your insurance company. https://reimbursify.com/individual-page/
Should I use insurance why or why not?
Using your insurance (if I’m paneled with your plan or you have an out-of-network benefit (PPO)) is a personal choice based on your preferences, financial situation, and benefits. If your finances are so limited that using insurance is the only way you’ll get the therapy you need, then please use it. Getting the mental health support and treatment that you need is always the priority.
Above all therapy is an investment in yourself. Look at it this way . . . you live inside your head and in your life 24/7. The time, money, and benefits you employ to make sure your mind and life are happy places to exist is far more important than money and is worth navigating any challenges presented by insurance.
One of the biggest concerns about using medical insurance for mental health treatment is the possibility of losing confidentiality. When your insurance is billed, not only do they require a diagnosis, but they gather information about the type of treatment you are receiving and whether you have improved or not (this is important to them because their goal is stop paying as quickly as possible). The insurer can also audit your records at any time they wish, which means they have full access to your record. Information such as diagnosis and progress notes which can include details about what occurred during the therapy session, is technically open to the claims specialist.
Insurance requires a medical diagnosis for psychotherapy to be reimbursed. Some people will chose to not use insurance so that it is not included on their medical record affecting certain types of employment or life insurance for example.
If your insurance company decides not to reimburse for the sessions typically clients will still owe the therapist for the session.
How do I seek reimbursement from my insurance company?
I will provide a superbill so that you can seek reimbursement from your insurance company. Or you can use Reimbursify.
Reimbursify – submit your superbill quickly for low cost. You get reimbursed directly by your insurance company. https://reimbursify.com/individual-page/
What do I need to know about the No Surprises Act and my right to a Good Faith Estimate?
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost.
What is the No Surprises Act?
Under the No Surprises Act, 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. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service, or at any time during treatment. 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 or how to dispute a bill, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
Where do sessions take place?
Sessions are currently held virtually through SimplePractice (for HIPAA compliance). If your connection requires it, I also can use a HIPAA Compliant version of Zoom.
How do I create a private safe space in my home or office for psychotherapy?
If you do not live in your home alone, it’s best to pick a room that has a door that you can close. To create privacy place a fan, sleep machine, or other machine that creates white noise outside of your closed door. This protects the privacy. Additionally it can help to wear earphones. Sometimes people will sit in their parked car (away from others).
Since you offer online therapy can I be anywhere in the world for therapy?
Unfortunately, no. You must physically be in one of the states that I am licensed in at the time of the session as must I. (New Hampshire, Massachusetts, or Michigan).
What is your cancellation policy?
I often have a waiting list of clients or current clients who are in need of an earlier appointment. Therefore, I ask for a 48 hour cancellation notice. If you cannot make it or cancel 48 hours ahead I ask you to pay the full session fee before our next session. If you are using insurance, insurance cannot be billed for missed sessions.