Common questions
Short, straight answers about getting started, cost, telehealth, privacy, children and medication. If yours isn’t here, ask us.
Getting started
How do I make an appointment?
Pick the path that matches how you’ll be paying. If you have private insurance or you’re paying out of pocket, use the private scheduling link. If you have Medicaid or Medicare, use the Medicaid link. The intake process is different. Both are on our Getting Started section. You’ll fill out your information, complete a few assessments, and book your first appointment in one sitting.
Do I need a referral?
For most private insurance plans, no. You can book directly. Some plans do require one, and Medicaid requirements vary. If you’re not sure, book anyway and we’ll sort it out before your first session.
What happens in the first appointment?
The first session is an assessment. We’ll talk about what brought you in, some history, and what you’re hoping will be different. It’s a conversation, not a test. By the end we’ll have a sense of whether we’re a good fit and what a plan might look like. You don’t need to prepare anything.
How long is a session?
Sessions are typically 53 to 60 minutes long.
How often would I come in?
Weekly is the most common. Some people come every other week, and some need more than once a week during a hard stretch. It depends on what’s going on for you, and it changes over time. This is a conversation we have together, not something set in stone at the start.
How long will I be in therapy?
There’s no standard answer, and anyone who gives you one isn’t being straight with you. Some people come for a few months around a specific problem. Others stay longer. We’ll check in about it as we go.
What if I’m not sure therapy is right for me?
That’s a normal place to start from. A first appointment isn’t a commitment to anything beyond that appointment. If it turns out we’re not the right fit, we’ll say so and help you find someone who is.
Insurance and cost
What insurance do you accept?
Anthem, Aetna, Carelon, Cigna, Providence, Curative, several Medicare Advantage plans, Tricare (all), and Medicaid.
Do you take Medicaid?
Yes. Medicaid and Medicare clients have a separate scheduling link because the intake paperwork is different. Use the Medicaid link on our Getting Started section.
Do you take Tricare?
Yes, all Tricare plans.
What will I actually pay?
With insurance, you’ll usually pay a copay at each session. The amount depends on your specific plan. If you haven’t met your deductible yet, you may pay more at first. We’ll verify your benefits before your first appointment and tell you what to expect, so there aren’t surprises.
What if I don’t have insurance?
Self-pay rates vary between providers based on experience and specialties. [CLIENT TO SUPPLY: self-pay rate.]
Do you offer a sliding scale?
There is typically no sliding scale.
What’s your cancellation policy?
Cancellations less than 24 hours in advance (late cancels) will be treated the same as a no-show and subject to our cancellation policy.
Telehealth
Do you offer online therapy?
Yes, and a lot of our work happens that way. About two-thirds of therapy sessions nationally are now virtual. We’re licensed across Kentucky, so we can see you anywhere in the state.
Does telehealth work as well as meeting in person?
For most people and most concerns, yes. The research on this is consistent. Some people strongly prefer being in the room, and some kinds of work go better face to face; couples sessions often do. You can also mix the two: meet in person first, then go virtual once you know each other.
What do I need for a telehealth session?
A phone, tablet or computer with a camera, a reliable internet connection, and somewhere private where you won’t be interrupted. That’s it. We’ll send you a link before your appointment.
Where do people usually do their sessions from?
Home is most common. Plenty of people use their car on a lunch break, parked somewhere quiet. Wherever you can close a door and speak freely.
Can I switch between in person and online?
Yes. A lot of people do, depending on the week. Just let us know when you book.
Privacy and confidentiality
Is what I say confidential?
Yes. What you tell your therapist stays between you and your therapist. There are a small number of legal exceptions: if there’s a serious risk of harm to you or someone else, or in cases involving abuse of a child or vulnerable adult. Your therapist will walk through these with you at your first appointment.
Will my employer or family find out I’m in therapy?
Not from us. We don’t tell anyone you’re a client: not your employer, not your family, not your friends. If you’re using insurance, your insurer receives billing information, which is standard for any medical care.
I’m worried about being seen coming in. Is that normal?
More common than you’d think, and it’s one of the reasons telehealth has been such a good thing for a lot of people. If being seen is a concern, we can work around it with virtual sessions, or scheduling at a quieter time of day. Nobody should skip getting help because of who might be in the waiting room.
Do you keep records?
Yes, as all healthcare providers do. Your records are protected under HIPAA. You have the right to request a copy of your own records.
For parents
Do you see children and teenagers?
[CLIENT TO CONFIRM: ages seen, and by which therapists.]
How does school-based therapy work?
We have a contract with Hardin County Schools to see students during the school day. The referral goes through your school’s Family Resource Center coordinator. Either you contact them, or they may reach out to you if a teacher has noticed your child struggling. The FRC coordinator sends us a referral, we contact you, and we schedule from there.
Which schools do you serve?
[CLIENT TO CONFIRM: West Hardin currently, with Central under discussion.]
Can I request school-based therapy for my child?
Yes. Contact your school’s Family Resource Center coordinator and ask. That’s the fastest route; they know which therapists are approved to be on site and when.
Do I have to be there for my child’s sessions?
For school-based sessions, no. For sessions at our office, it depends on your child’s age and what we’re working on. We’ll talk through it with you before the first appointment.
Can I know what my child talks about in therapy?
Therapy only works if a young person trusts that it’s their space. We’ll be clear with you and with them about what stays private and what doesn’t, and we’ll always tell you if there’s a safety concern. Parents are part of the work, not shut out of it.
Medication
Do you prescribe medication?
No. We’re therapists, not prescribers. But we work closely with a nurse practitioner who does, and we can refer you.
How does the medication referral work?
If it looks like medication might help, your therapist will talk it through with you and connect you with our referral partner. You’re never obligated to go that route.
How long does it take to see a prescriber?
The wait to see a psychiatrist in this area often runs around three months. Going through our referral partner is usually considerably faster. That’s a large part of why we set the relationship up.
Do I have to take medication to be in therapy here?
No. Plenty of people do therapy alone and do well. For some conditions the combination works better than either on its own. It’s your decision, and we’ll give you honest information to make it with.
Getting started
When you’re ready, we’re here.
Pick the path that matches how you’ll be paying, and book your first appointment in one sitting.