Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer sessions in person or telehealth?

I offer counseling services and parent coaching in-person at my office located in St. Petersburg as well as over HIPAA-compliant video conference.

What can I expect during my first session?

I will likely ask you a lot of questions during what is called the "intake" session. In fact, it may feel a bit like an interview. The purpose of this session is to get to know you more, and for you to get to know me and my therapeutic approach a bit more. I want to understand your referral concerns and get as much background information as possible to understand your experiences and factors that may be contributing to difficulties. For therapy clients, I will use this information to understand your personal strengths, conceptualize reasons for your presenting challenges, and inform your treatment plan, which is our written guide to help reach your goals.

Do you accept insurance?

What if my teen does not want to attend counseling?

I am credentialed with the following insurance companies:

Aetna

Although I am considered an "out-of-network" provider with other insurance companies I furnish clients with receipts indicating treatment codes after sessions when requested by clients, referred to as a "superbill." Many plans will provide partial reimbursement when you receive services from a licensed provider. Full payment is due to Flourish Psychology and Wellness at the time of services. The receipt I provide gives clients the opportunity to request reimbursement from their insurance company. My services may also be considered on your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA). Clients who are out of network will also receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much their mental health care is estimated to cost. As of January 2022 it is required that health care providers inform patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for their care.

Technology has made submitting superbills to your insurance company easier. You can utilize apps, such as Reimbursify and Better by taking a photo of your superbill and then submitting the photo through the app. You can call your insurance provider directly to inquire about out-of-network benefits before your first session in order to determine what reimbursement is available.

It is important to include your teen in the process of finding a psychologist based on your teen's preferences. As a caregiver, it would be beneficial to first narrow down providers who specialize in working with teens. Then allow your teen to choose a provider from an edited list. If your teen is very resistant to the idea of counseling, you may also want to incentivize attendance to counseling. Making counseling a non-negotiable and tying participation to preferred activities or items. Framing counseling as an opportunity for you, as a caregiver, to learn additional strategies to improve the quality of the relationship may also reduce feelings of resentment. As a psychologist, I have experience working with teens who are hesitant to attend counseling. I will spend time with your teen to understand their perspective and address concerns they have about counseling.

What is your cancellation policy?

Your evaluation or therapy appointment has been set aside just for you. I understand that life happens; however, when feasible I request that my clients provide me with a minimum of 48 hours prior to canceling an appointment. Clients that do not cancel their appointment prior to 48 hours will be charged a late cancellation fee.

What are your rates?

Rates vary depending on the referral concern and the type of psychological services provided. Please contact me to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation and I will provide you with a free quote.

Is therapy confidential?

Generally, what is said in therapy stays between you and your psychologist. The therapeutic relationship between the client and psychologist is confidential. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule (as required by law), including:

Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse. Psychologists are mandated reporters and are required to report this to appropriate authorities.
If a client is threatening harm to another person. Psychologists are mandated reporters and required to report this to the appropriate authorities.
If a client is a threat to themselves the psychologist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not work collaboratively with the psychologist, it is possible additional measures may be warranted to ensure a client remains physically safe, so the work of improving one's mental health can continue.