FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Everyone faces challenges. While you may have successfully handled many difficulties, it can be helpful to seek out extra support. There are many reasons why people decide to come to therapy. Common reasons are to learn tools for alleviating stress, dealing with a difficult time, or sorting out relationship issues. Many common life events cause heightened stress and counseling may help with getting through a difficult time of transition, grieving the loss of a loved one, and moving beyond feeling anxious, lost, or depressed, to increased self-confidence, a sense of happiness, new purpose or direction, or a more meaningful life.

Therapy focuses on creating change where you need it. The office is like a cozy living room to provide a comfortable space to work on finding tools to deal more effectively with stress. What we do will be unique to you. I use a range of techniques including cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness meditation, humanistic, and psychodynamic. Sessions are normally 50-minutes, but I also offer 25-minute, 75-minute, or 90-minute sessions for your convenience.

While weekly 50-minute sessions are typical, there is no rule that states this should be the case. You may come less often if you prefer, or more sessions may be scheduled if needed. You can always discuss how therapy is meeting your needs at any time. Length of therapy depends on many factors including the type of problem, duration of the problem, complexity of the situation, and what you are looking to accomplish. Sometimes brief solution focused interventions can be helpful in a short time. Other times, people may be in therapy for months or even years before they feel their issues have been sufficiently resolved. The choice is yours and can always be discussed with your therapist.

Therapy costs are as follows: $150 per 50-minute session, $75 per 25-minute session, $225 per 90-minute session, or $300 per 110-minute session. Phone calls involving counseling or psychological help are billed at $2.00/minute. There is a free 15-minute phone consultation for all new inquiries. Payments may be made by cash, check or credit card. Appointments are available at a reduced rate if there is a financial need. Please inquire.

I do not accept insurance, but I can provide the required documentation for you to submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network coverage. You can review your benefits or contact your insurance carrier to find out: a) Do you have mental health coverage? b) What is the coverage amount per therapy session? c) How many sessions does the plan cover? d) How much does the plan pay for an out-of-network provider? e) Is approval required from a primary care physician?

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communication between a client and therapist. I am a licensed practitioner and confidentiality is of the utmost importance. Only in rare circumstances can exceptions be made, such as if there is a court order, if the client presents an imminent danger to self or others, or if the therapist becomes aware of child or elder abuse.

I do not provide 24 hour crisis counseling. If you have an emergency, you should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

You can make an appointment by emailing me through the Contact page or at kathleenlpc@sbcglobal.net or by calling (817) 313-5634. If I do not answer, please leave a message and your call will be returned within 1-2 days. You can see next available appointment times on the Calendar on the Appointments page. .