FAQ

Through the beauty of technology, we can be right where you are! Our office is our computer. We are licensed to offer therapy in Alaska, Hawaii, Utah, Nevada, and Arizona.

That means if you have Internet access, a quiet and comfortable space, and the time and inclination to indulge in some honest to goodness “me time,” we’re all set!

We’ll quite literally meet you where you are! Hurray for teletherapy!

That kind of depends on which state you live in.

In Alaska 9:00 am – 4:30pm Monday – Thursday
In Hawaii *7:00 am-2:30pm Monday – Thursday (during Daylight Saving Time – DST) or
In Hawaii *8:00 am-3:30pm Monday – Thursday (after DST ends)
In Utah 11:00 am-6:30pm Monday – Thursday

And varying office hours and consultations on Friday

*Hawaii – schedules are subject to shift by one hour due to Daylight Saving Time between the 2nd Sunday in March and the 1st Sunday in November.

Typically, we will have one session, from 50 to 80 minutes each week.

Once we get rolling, processing, and find your therapy flow, you’ll be astonished at how quickly time flies every time we get together.

Most insurance companies classify me as “out-of-network.” Ultimately, this just means that I can provide you with a superbill (a fancy name for a receipt that includes insurance codes and formal service names) that you can submit directly to your insurance company to receive reimbursement for a covered service.

I always recommend that you call and speak with your insurance company in advance so that you can work out all the details before we start.

Questions to ask:

• What does my plan cover for out-of-network mental health therapy?
• Is there a limit to the number of sessions that I can be reimbursed for?
• Do I have an annual out-of-network deductible?
• Have I met any of my annual deductibles?
• Do I need a referral for mental health therapy?

This should get you started. Just take the time to make sure you’re comfortable with the payment expectations and how your reimbursement will work.

I do accept credit cards and Flex/Health Spending Account cards (FSA/HSA).

Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, health care providers and health care facilities must by law provide individuals with a “Good Faith Estimate” if they will receive charges at the time of scheduling health care items and services. This requirement goes for individuals not enrolled in an insurance plan or a Federal Health Care program and those seeking to file a claim via a superbill or an in-network provider.

A “Good Faith Estimate” explains how much your medical and mental health care will cost over the period you are in treatment. Under this law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or choose not to use their 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.

Life happens really fast, sometimes. If something comes up and you need to reschedule, that’s no problem.

Just give us a call at least 48 hours in advance for any cancellations or rescheduling, and we can make it happen.

We get that it’s not always possible to see a crisis coming. If something emergent arises, let us know; we can discuss our next move.

Generally speaking (and barring an emergency), if you must cancel your session less than 48 hours in advance, we charge the full fee of the therapist’s time. We reserve your scheduled time exclusively for you, and if you can’t be there, we need to re-open that opportunity for someone else who needs our services.

Oh, man. A good therapist that you feel comfortable with can do so much! I can sit with you, listen to you, and provide you with a fresh perspective on your thoughts and feelings. Together we’ll tackle the things that you’ve been trying to manage or cope with by yourself for SO long.

We’ll always take the time to check in with you. Together, we’ll identify areas of focus that feel important to you. Right from the start, we’ll look for the things that feel the most challenging for you. Each week we’ll explore and process your thoughts and feelings in a safe space together. We’ll develop strategies and grow your coping skills so that you can live your fullest and best possible life.

I take your confidentiality very seriously. Not only is it the law, but it’s also an ethical issue. Your story and your experiences are your own. You have the right to share that information as you choose.

There are only three exceptions to confidentiality. They fall under a clause known as “mandated reporting.” Essentially that means that, by law, if you disclose that you’re going to harm yourself, you’re going to harm someone else, or you know of someone unable to advocate for themselves (like a minor, or an elder, or someone who is developmentally unable to self-advocate) I have to report. Otherwise, my lips are sealed.

Sometimes, there might be court requests for your information, but we will work on those disclosures together, and you will be aware of what is shared every step of the way.

A lot can get better by fully diving in and doing sincere therapy work. You can see your relationships start to get better or at least start to make sense. You can improve the way you communicate with others and learn how to set healthy boundaries to keep your communication clear and meaningful. You can develop skills that will help you feel better and help you stay feeling better. You can grow your confidence and discover that you can deal with stuff that has traditionally tripped you up. You can create a plan for yourself and set goals that will set you up for your greatest possible success.

It’s also important to know that therapy isn’t easy. Sometimes it’s downright hard! Sometimes to get to the good stuff, we have to go through some not-so-comfortable feelings. Experiences that get in our way are often painful and create sadness, anxiety or frustration, or other feelings that we typically try and avoid. Actually, sometimes stuff feels way worse before it starts to feel better. We don’t allow ourselves to silently suffer for so long just because. Healing can feel big and overwhelming. There’s a reason we don’t like to do it alone. A safe space is a great way to address pain and big feelings. I can hold a safe space where you feel supported as we walk through your feelings together.

Contact us at (907) 444-4526, and we can set up a time for your free 15-minute phone consultation. Or email us at info@compassionatecounseling-ak.com.

This call will allow you to introduce yourself, ask us all your questions to see if we have the right therapist for you, and set a date for your first real session. It’s all very exciting!