Frequently Asked Questions

How can therapy help me?

A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn.
Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
• Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
• Developing skills for improving your relationships
• Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
• Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
• Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
• Improving communications and listening skills
• Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
• Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence   

What is therapy like? 

Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your therapist (usually weekly). It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process - such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals. People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives. 

Do I really need therapy?  

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.

Do therapy conversations remain confidential? 

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”.

Do you take insurance?

Yes! 
Accepted Insurance In-Network/Plans:   
• Blue Cross Blue Shield - Alabama
- Blue Choice
- PEEHIP
- ALL Kids - Behavioral Health Providers
- New Directions
- Expanded Psychiatric Services
• UnitedHealthcare
- Optum
- UMR
• Tricare East
Depending on your current health insurance provider or employee benefit plan, it is possible for services to be covered in full or in part. Every insurance company and policy are different with respect to coverage, deductibles, and co-pays; it is wise to contact your insurance carrier. To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers.
Some helpful questions you can ask:
What are my mental health benefits?
What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
Is approval required from my primary care physician?    

What does pre-registering for group mean?

Pre-registering for group means you have temporarily reserved 1 of 7 spaces for the chosen date you plan to attend. The information provided during the pre-registration process will be used to create a profile in our system. From there we will send you a email within 48 hours to complete the registration process. All registration documents must be completed within 3 days after receiving them in order to keep your reserved group space. The facility fee for attending one of our groups is $60.00, but the price may vary depending on your insurance coverage.  

How do I use the client portal?

The client portal is a comprehensive, self-service resource where clients can fill out intakes, send secure messages, request appointments, download documents, and pay bills—anytime, anywhere. It is completely mobile-responsive. This means no frustrating pinching and zooming to fill out forms or make appointment requests.  In order to help you get started, you can download the informative guide on how to log in, request an appointment, send secure messages, and view/pay bills by clicking the link below.

Complete Guide to the Client Portal
Client Portal IOS Mobile App

How do I participate in my telehealth appointment?

Through audio and video over the internet, you can meet with your clinician on-the-go from your desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile device (iOS or Android) - it's your choice! Telehealth allows us to connect anywhere with secure and convenient appointments that save you time and hassle. There's no need to deal with traffic when you can schedule and attend your appointments directly from a laptop or mobile device. The link to the guide below includes basic tips and instructions on how to join a video appointment, as well as some FAQs to make your first video call a success. To prepare, please review the following information before your first video appointment. 

Getting Started with Telehealth
Telehealth IOS Mobile App
Telehealth Android Mobile App

What about medication vs. therapy?   

It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you, and in some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.