There are many practical considerations to take into account when choosing a therapist, including location, insurance, fees, and hours of availability. Other common considerations are gender, race, religion, and sexual orientation, as some clients may feel more closely aligned with therapists who identify similarly with them. Reading a therapist's website to learn more about them and their therapeutic philosophy can help you get a “feel” for if a therapist might be a good fit. We offer prospective clients a free phone consultation to explore their therapeutic goals and give them an opportunity to learn more about each therapist’s approach. Ultimately, it may take several tries for you to find the “right” therapist for you, and the right therapist may change depending on the issue being discussed. Therapy is a very personal experience, and the right therapist can differ from person to person. Therapists understand the importance of “fit” and the therapeutic relationship, so if you feel like we might not be a good fit, please let your therapist know. We can look for referrals and other recommendations.

Duration of therapy varies greatly by person and presenting concern. Most people will attend at least three to six months in order to make progress on their goals, and individuals can often attend sessions for twelve to eighteen months as the therapeutic relationship grows and other concerns surface. Some people continue scheduling long term on a less frequent basis to help maintain their progress and have a support in place should concerns arise.

We generally recommend starting out with weekly therapy at first, so your therapist can get a better understanding of your presenting concerns. We find that clients are able to make more progress initially by scheduling weekly. Once you feel that you are on your way to meeting your goals for therapy, bi-monthly appointments may feel more appropriate.

However, with that in mind, cost and time are relevant factors, and some clients choose to schedule every other week to better accommodate their needs. We work with all of our clients to tailor an approach that meets their needs and helps them achieve their goals.

Before the first session, you’ll fill out an intake form online allowing you to answer some questions about yourself and your reasons for seeking therapy. By doing the paperwork online ahead of time, we can spend more time in our first session discussing your concerns. At our first session, we’ll review the practice policies and discuss the information you shared on your intake form. Most of the first session will be information gathering and structured differently than the following sessions.

After the first session, future sessions will be guided by your therapy goals. We believe in letting you take the lead and allowing you to explore the topics and issues you are facing as you advance toward your goals. We are adaptive to your needs, and we can modify the sessions to be more structured or unstructured. Some clients prefer to talk through the session, while others prefer to complete activities that help facilitate the therapeutic process. Some prefer homework; others do not. We take your preferences into account for planning future sessions.

While we can help you explore and understand your options, we strongly believe that only you can truly know the best path forward. As your therapist, we only see a small glimpse into your life and relationship dynamics. We will help you explore your beliefs and concerns in order to help you feel confident in whatever decision you need to make. With this in mind, we can also be direct in challenging unhelpful thinking patterns and unproductive coping mechanisms that may be standing in your way, and we can share resources and provide education around the concerns that you bring to therapy.

The short answer– it depends. The long answer– insurance coverage varies by each individual’s insurance plan. Your sessions may be covered by insurance, and we encourage prospective clients to discuss insurance coverage questions with their insurer when selecting a therapist. Many insurers do provide coverage for therapy. However, insurance coverage varies by each individual’s insurance plan. Depending on your plan, you may have a co-pay, or you may have to pay out-of-pocket until you meet your deductible. Your insurance may or may not cover out-of-network expenses or count them toward your deductible. Insurers also vary in coverage for telehealth appointments. Please check with your insurance company to determine your coverage.

Our therapists are currently in-network with United/Optum, BCBS, and Aetna insurance panels. For other insurance providers, we can provide a superbill that you can submit to your insurer for reimbursement.

The client-therapist relationship is one of utmost confidence. What you share in therapy is strictly confidential. Your therapist will not disclose anything discussed in therapy with spouses, parents, employers, other healthcare providers, or schools, without your authorization to do so.

However, there are important exceptions to client confidentiality to protect both the client and the other people in their life. These exceptions include: (1) if you share that you intend to harm yourself or another person; (2) if you share abuse or neglect of a child, disabled, or elderly person; or (3) if you share previous sexual misconduct by another mental health provider. Additionally, if we are subpoenaed by a court, your therapist is required to share your records. Outside of these exceptions, your therapist will not share your information with others unless they receive a written request and release of information (ROI) signed by you.

Please note that some insurance companies require access to therapy notes and treatment plans, and by choosing to use insurance, your records may also be shared with your insurance company.

Telehealth appointments are as effective and beneficial as in-person appointments for many people. Telehealth appointments allow therapists to see patients located anywhere in the state of Texas and may offer a more convenient option for many clients.

Before your appointment, you will receive a link to log in to your appointment through Simple Practice, a HIPAA compliant video conferencing platform. While you may not have used this platform before, the features are simple to use and similar to other applications like Zoom and Google Meet. Please ensure you are in a confidential space during your telehealth appointment. with reliable internet connection, and free from distractions.