Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy in Boston, MA and Charlotte, NC
Who do you work with in therapy?
My ideal clients are high achieving women of color who want to feel supported in life and feel less anxious, depressed, stressed, or traumatized. I do also work with clients who may not meet this description that are a good fit.
Are your services in person or online?
I provide in person therapy in the Charlotte, NC area as well as online therapy to residents of North Carolina, Massachusetts, and Florida.
What happens during our 15 minute free phone consultation?
During our initial phone consultation, we’ll figure out if we are a good fit for each other based on your preferences in personality and therapy style. I offer a unique combination of arts and body-based approaches to therapy which differs from traditional talk therapy. We’ll discuss the best time for our weekly recurring appointments, that way you know your time is reserved just for you and no one will be scheduled during your session time.
What are your office hours?
Client office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10am to 6pm, with the last appointment starting at 5pm.
What can I expect during my first therapy session?
During the first session, my goal is to get to know you better and understand the challenges you are facing. This session is often called an intake session or assessment, and it typically lasts between 60-75 minutes.
I like to ask follow up questions to the initial intake questionnaire that you completed beforehand as well as address any additional concerns not captured in the paperwork.
I also like to discuss if you were to wake up and your goals for therapy were realized, how would you know? These would be considered benchmarks in our goal setting process. Without a common goal we won't be able to take steps in the right direction and get you the outcomes that you came into therapy. After all, I don’t want you to be in therapy forever!
How long will I need to come to counseling?
Every client’s situation is different based on goals that we are working on. We will set up a mutually agreed upon time that we will meet each week at the same time so that we can begin making progress towards your therapeutic goals.
How long will therapy take before I start to see progress?
While every client’s therapeutic journey is different, we will be checking in on a monthly basis to assess goals that were set at the beginning of therapy as well as benchmarks that we are making progress towards the goals that you established in our initial session.
Where will we meet? And how should I prepare for my first session?
If you are in the Charlotte, NC area we can meet in person at my office near the Uptown district. I have a limited number of in person slots on Wednesday afternoon between 2pm and 5pm. We can also meet virtually using a secure online platform called Simple Practice. If we are meeting virtually I ask that you find a quiet, private place in your home, car, office, or community, to engage for the duration of our session. Headphones are helpful, phone notifications should be on silent with minimal distractions. This is your self care time and your undivided attention is key.
What is your late/cancellation policy?
There is a 15 minute grace period. After 15 minutes clients will need to reschedule and will be charged the full session rate. If you are unable to attend your appointment, please cancel with at least 24-hours’ notice in writing via secure text or email to avoid being charged the full session fee.
Do you accept my insurance?
I am an out-of-network provider with all insurances except Blue Cross Blue Shield. I will provide you with a Superbill (detailed receipt of services) that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement using out-of-network benefits. I encourage you to contact your insurance company first to understand your benefits. Here is a checklist that is helpful when making the call.
Do you have a sliding scale?
I do not provide services on a sliding scale due to the privacy that I believe you deserve as a client. Sliding scales typically involve you providing financial income (ie. W2s or tax returns) in order to qualify for services. Here are a couple of non profit organizations that do provide financial assistance for therapy services:
Why don’t you take insurance?
While insurance is one of the leading ways to make care accessible to many, here are some of the rationales where going the private pay route may be optimal:
-Privacy: Certain workplaces in the government, military, or corporate positions can gain access to health records in order to evaluate fit for work, by going the private pay route this is not an issue
-Whole person treatment: Insurance mandates clients meet “medical necessity” in order for treatment to be covered. This means that a diagnosis must be provided after one meeting. I do not believe any person can be defined or should be treated just for symptoms of a diagnosis, but that clients are human beings with whole life conditions that get to be treated holistically.
-Flexibility in treatment- Insurance companies limit the number of times per week and the time limit for each individual session. With private pay, a customized plan can be established should a client benefit from multiple sessions in the same week or 90 to 120 minute sessions.
Why might I seek an out of network provider?
-Sometimes the specialties that a therapist holds are not provided in-network. As a black therapist in Charlotte, NC who is trauma informed, expressive arts specialized, and EMDR trained, the likelihood of identifying the same combination of therapist in-network may be rare.
-If you have a high deductible health plan where you have to pay out of pocket before the standard copay is applied, the costs of seeing an in network provider versus out of network provider could potentially be the same.
-If you have good out of network (O-O-N) benefits the reimbursement rate could be better than the copay rate for an in network provider. Check your O-O-N benefits.
-You want to start therapy sooner than later: Many therapists who accept insurance in large cities find their caseloads full on a regular basis making their waitlists long and your time to receive support even longer.
-You found someone who’s a great fit: Finding a great therapist is like dating, once you know you just know and it could be a needle in a haystack to find another therapist like the out of network fit. Choosing an in network therapist based on convenience costs you both time and money. What would the cost to your peace of mind be should you delay working with the great fit therapist? You deserve the therapeutic relationship that gets you feeling better sooner than later.
How will my privacy and confidentiality be maintained while attending therapy sessions?
The therapeutic relationship is one where privacy and confidentiality is not only important, it’s legally governed by the ACA Code of Ethics. There are specific exceptions where as a therapist I am legally obligated to break confidentiality. These include:
-Danger/threatened harm to self
-Danger/threatened harm to someone else
-Abuse/neglect of a child, elder, or person with a disability as a protected member of society
What is a Good Faith Estimate?
Under the law, health care providers need to give clients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
Ok, I’m ready to get started with the Hey Sis! Therapist, where do I begin?
Great! It all starts with a free 15 minute phone consultation to see if we are a good fit for one another. Fill out the contact form and then click the link here to schedule your free 15-minute phone consultation for counseling in the states of Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Florida.