Frequently Asked Questions for therapy in Conyers, GA

Our first session will be 55-60 minutes long. The following sessions will be 45-50 minutes and scheduled weekly. Weekly sessions are the most effective way to see progress and achieve goals. We’ll pick a weekly day and time to meet that works for both of our schedules.

Trauma and Christian Counseling

In our first session, I will be learning about why you decided to seek therapy, relevant history, and what a good outcome for therapy would look like for you. We’ll discuss your goals and set a plan to meet them.

Alcohol Abuse

Our first session will be an assessment session. We’ll talk about your complete history of alcohol use, including current use. We’ll also discuss other factors that will help me determine a recommendation for treatment. I’ll provide you with that recommendation at the end of our assessment and we’ll discuss treatment options. If your need matches my level of care, and you’d like to continue with me, we’ll talk about next steps. If you require other treatment options, we’ll discuss those as well.

IN PERSON

My office is located at 1257 Commercial Drive SW in Conyers, GA. I will send you more details and directions before your first appointment.

ONLINE

Online therapy means you get the help you need from the comfort of your home, office, or other private area. All my online sessions are done on a secure site, compliant with HIPPA privacy standards.

While we’ll need to evaluate whether online therapy is right for your specific situation, I’ve had many clients experience healing while enjoying the convenience of online therapy.

More questions about online therapy? Check out the Online Therapy FAQs section.

The length of counseling is different for every person. It depends on your needs, issues, and goals. My clients usually come to me because they are overwhelmed. They’ve been trying to manage on their own for a while and it’s just not working. Because of this, I tend to use a deeper therapy process. One that not only addresses issues you come in with, but explores underlying reasons for why you are struggling. Clients typically spend anywhere from six months to a year and a half in therapy with me. That being said, part of our first session will be spent talking about your specific goals and setting expectations together!

When you schedule a session, that time is reserved solely for you. For this reason, if you need to cancel or reschedule a session, I ask that you provide a 48-hour notice.

If there is no communication prior to your missed session, it is considered a no-show, and you will be charged the session rate.

If you cancel with less than a 48-hour notice, you will be charged the full fee for the session.

I get it, life happens and sometimes there is no control over that. Exceptions will be made in the instance of an emergency (i.e. breaking down, sudden illness, sudden illness of a minor child, etc.) Please note “having to work” is not considered an emergency.

If you do give notice that you have to cancel before your appointment time and I can reschedule you for the same week, I may waive the missed appointment fee for the first late cancel.

Recurrent missed appointments will harm progress towards your goals, as well as the therapeutic relationship. Should it become a regular issue, we will discuss the best therapeutic path moving forward.

INSURANCE

If I’m a provider for your insurance, I can file your insurance claims for you. Your cost for sessions will depend on your coverage.

SELF-PAY

The cost will differ depending on your needs. Here are my rates:

Intake Session: $175 (55-60 minutes)

45-50 minute session: $150

Couples session: $185

Substance Abuse Assessment (without written report): $175

Substance Abuse Assessment (with written report*): $275

*Note: I am not certified to provide DUI evaluations. If you have been arrested for DUI and need a court evaluation, you will need to find a certified DUI evaluator. Click here to find one in Georgia.

Yes! I accept Aetna, Cigna, Quest Behavioral Health, and United Healthcare (Optum). All other services are private pay. You can use a credit card, HSA or FSA card.

If you want to file with another insurance, I can provide you with a superbill at the end of the month to submit for reimbursement from your insurance provider. Please know that not all insurance plans offer reimbursement for out of network providers, and some plans may have a deductible. To find out, call the customer service number on the back of your card and ask about your specific plan coverage.

Note: Superbills require a mental health diagnosis and that information will be a part of your insurance company’s record. If you have questions or concerns about this, feel free to ask during your initial consult!

My last available appointment on any day is 5pm. However, those are usually filled due to high demand. I do not offer weekend appointments. In our initial consult, we’ll discuss what day and time would be best fit both of our schedules.

Yes! Online therapy can be just as beneficial and effective as in-person therapy. According to the American Psychological Association, teletherapy is just as effective as in-person sessions for treating a wide range of mental health conditions. Since online treatment is relatively new, there isn’t substantial research validating its worth. However, research is promising and will hopefully continue.

Not at all! Doing sessions online allows you to be in your own space, or another comfortable site. One of my goals for you is to feel comfortable in therapy – no matter where you are. We can discuss any concerns you have in your 15-minute consultation. If you are truly unsure if online therapy is a right fit for you, let’s try one session. If after that, you don’t feel like it will work for you, no problem! I’ll help you find a therapist that can do in-person sessions.

You will need a device that can connect to the internet – a computer, tablet or phone will do. It will need to have a way to connect with headphones and a microphone so that I can hear you speak. It also needs video access so that I can see you during our session. You’ll also need to be located near an internet source so that we can meet online. In addition to technical equipment, it’s crucial to be in a private space, free from distractions (family, pets, co-workers, etc.), where you’ll be fully comfortable talking about personal and/or challenging topics.

My online platform is very intuitive. You do need a basic knowledge of how to use the internet, connect to the internet or Wi-Fi, and (if using a cell phone or a tablet) how to download an app. Our sessions will look a lot like Zoom, Facetime or similar video chats.

It used to be that insurance companies did not cover online therapy like they did in person therapy. However, with the changes that came from COVID, many insurances cover online therapy the same as in person. Your specific plan will detail how it will be covered.

I currently take several insurances and can file claims with them. For all other plans, I can give you a Super-bill to file for out-of-network benefits, if covered by your insurance. Calling your insurance company directly to inquire about benefits would give you the information you need regarding reimbursement for out of network claims.

Yes! The online platform I use is HIPAA-compliant. That means your privacy and confidentiality are legally protected. However, it is also important that you take precautions on your end to ensure privacy as well. I can give you more information about specific recommendations. We’ll also discuss any concerns and questions you need addressed before your appointment.

Actually, yes! In addition to the qualifications to be a licensed therapist, any therapist in Georgia must complete a training course on telemental health to be able to provide online therapy. I meet all the needed requirements in Georgia to provide online therapy services.