FAQs

I’m new to therapy. What’s it like?

Because each person has different concerns and goals for therapy, therapy is different for everybody.  In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, personal history relevant to your issue, and progress or new insights gained since 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 broader goals for personal development.  Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your therapist (usually weekly or bi-weekly).

It is important to understand that you will get better results from therapy if you actively participate in the process.  Our hope is to help you take what you learn in session back into your life.  Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, we may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support the process, such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors, or taking action on your goals. Basically, the more you give to the process, the more you gain! 

Do you accept insurance?

Honey and Fig Counseling and Wellness is in network with Aetna. We are considered an out-of-network mental health provider for all other insurances. We accept HSA cards or can provide a superbill (an itemized list of all services provided) for you to submit to insurance providers we are not in network with. Reimbursement from your insurance is dependent on the coverage provided by your insurance policy for out-of-network mental health providers. Some policies will reimburse you for out-of-network visits, either partially or in full, so it is worth contacting them to find out. The following questions may be helpful to ask your insurance provider when checking into your coverage:

  • Does my plan provide out-of-network reimbursement for mental health?

  • Is there a deductible I need to meet before getting reimbursed?

  • How many sessions per year does my plan cover?

  • What percentage of the fee does my plan cover?

What is EMDR?

EMDR is a fast and effective therapy that treats trauma and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). EMDR is an acronym for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. When an event is incredibly upsetting (trauma), the brain is sometimes unable to process the experience as it normally does, therefore the thoughts, feelings and sensations of the traumatic event can become frozen in the nervous system as if in a time warp. EMDR therapy helps to activate the brain’s natural processing ability quickly and efficiently. The healing that results can reduce nightmares or triggers associated with the traumatic event, increase feelings of confidence around handling and making peace with the past, improve sleep, etc. More information can be found at www.emdr.com and www.emdria.org.  

Is therapy confidential?

 

Good Faith Estimate

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communication between a client and therapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.

However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:

  • Suspected child abuse, dependent adult, or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.

  • If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person.

  • If a client intends to harm themselves. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.

  • Some court related issues.

  • Abuse from another mental health professional.

Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, health care providers and health care facilities are required to inform individuals who are not enrolled in a plan or coverage or a Federal health care program, or not seeking to file a claim with their plan or coverage both orally and in writing of their ability, upon request or at the time of scheduling health care items and services, to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” of expected charges.

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

  • You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.

  • Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.

  • If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.

  • Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises