Frequently Asked Questions
What are your qualifications?
I am a LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor- MH17796) with over 19 years of experience in individual and couples therapy.
I have never been in therapy before what should I expect?
Well, Hello and Welcome! Starting therapy is a beautiful gift to give yourself. While it can feel scary and even overwhelming to take this first step, it puts you on a path of healing. We will move at your pace and tune into what you need in the moment to reach your goals. While therapy can be hard work at times, it is this hard work that will create positive change in your life and in your well being. Each person has different issues and goals for therapy. Therapy will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your therapist (usually weekly).
How much are sessions?
We do offer a complimentary 15-minute consultation sessions to new clients. Schedule a call to talk about how you might benefit from starting therapy. Our fee schedules vary as ICC offers a variety of services within our sessions depending on the needs of our clients.
What Insurance is ICC currently contracted with?
ICC is current accepting EAP, Cigna, & Aetna, BlueCross Blue Shield, Optum (Oscar, Oxford) and UnitedHealthcare at this time.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes, at this time we do accept some insurance. However, to be on the safe side we recommend contacting your health care insurance carrier. To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers. Some helpful questions you can ask them:
What are my mental health benefits?
What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
Is approval required from my primary care physician?
What if my insurance is not with your network?
If you have Out of Network benefits with your insurance, then you will pay me directly and be reimbursed for sessions. We will provide you with monthly receipts to submit to your insurance company. We can provide paperwork for you to submit to your insurance provider for out of network possible reimbursement.
How do I navigate the process of accessing my out-of- network benefits?
We would suggest asking your insurance company for specific details about your Out of Network benefits, including if you have a deductible, how much is your deductible, and how much you will be reimbursed for sessions.
It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest some additional assignments that you can do outside of therapy to support your process - such as reading pertinent books, journaling on specific topics, notating particular behaviors or taking action on your goals. People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives.
How long is a session?
The duration and frequency of therapy varies depending on your needs, but I typically recommend 45 minute weekly sessions, especially in the beginning of our work together. If weekly sessions are not possible or desirable, then we can discuss a plan that would work better for you. We also provide sessions via phone and video and in office for convenience.
What methods of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, credit cards, CashApp and Zelle
What's ICC's cancellation policy?
We have a 24 hour cancellation policy. Please cancel with at least 24 hours notice from the start time of your session or you will be charged the full session fee.
How can therapy help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
Developing skills for improving your relationships
Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
Improving communications and listening skills
Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
Do I really need therapy?
I can usually handle my problems.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it is right for me?
People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy. Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts and creative blocks. Therapy can help provide some much needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods. Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life. In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives.
How often do ICC recommend one needs to schedule sessions?
This is determined on a case by case scenario that takes into consideration the client's symptoms, severity of distress, and ability to commit to consistent treatment. Usually, it is recommended that therapy sessions occur on a consistent, weekly basis, and that over time frequency is adjusted as progress in treatment is made.
Do ICC Prescribe medication?
No, we do not have any practitioners who are able to prescribe medication at ICC. If you require pharmacological interventions in addition to outpatient therapy we highly recommend that you contact your insurance company for referrals within your network.
Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?
Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”. Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your Physician, Naturopath, Attorney), but by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.
However, state law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
* Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
* If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threated to harm another person.
*If you are suicidal or homicidal.