FAQs

What can I expect before my first session? 

At Inner Peace Counseling and Coaching, we specialize in connecting the right therapist to the client.  We will schedule a free consultation phone call with a therapist or the administrator to get a sense of your needs and recommend the right therapist. Once you choose to use us for your therapeutic needs, we will email you the access to our portal so you can complete paperwork and schedule your intake appointment. The portal will send you reminders for your sessions.  You will also receive a welcome email and/or phone call from your therapist.     

What will happen during my first session? 

You should expect a therapeutic environment that is empathetic and safe.  An intake session typically runs 60 minutes.  Your therapist will ask you questions to get to know you better and to understand your need for treatment. You will discuss your current symptoms and struggles as well as your goals.  Your therapist will also ask questions about your upbringing, your relationships, your interests and your strengths.  She may use some assessments to help her make a diagnosis based on your symptoms and you will discuss  how to go about addressing it.  At the end of the session, you and your therapist will determine how often you will meet for sessions.  

How long is a session? 

Sessions usually last 50 minutes.  Your therapist may decide to let the session run for 60 minutes if indicated.   

What kinds of therapy can I expect in my sessions? 

Once your therapist has met with you for your intake session, she will work with you to determine the therapy or mix of therapies that would best work for your clinical needs.  For example, if you have a history of trauma, your therapist may use a combination of EMDR and CBT.  Our therapists use Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Wholistic, Mindfulness, Solution Focussed Therapy, Family Systems, Motivational Interviewing  as well as other therapies depending on the need.  With children and teenagers play, art and music therapy may be used. As you progress through your therapy, you and your therapist will take stock of your progress and determine if you need to increase or decrease your sessions and when to terminate (we actually call it graduating!!)   

How many sessions can I expect to attend? 

It is impossible to know how many sessions you will need.  However, we request that our clients commit to 12 sessions.  You could end up needing less or more sessions.  Typically sessions are held weekly however, as you get better, you and your therapist may decide to meet every other week and possibly even monthly.  We keep your portal access open so you can also schedule booster or as needed sessions after graduation.    

How do I cancel or reschedule my sessions?

 You would log onto the portal assigned to you prior to your intake where you can then cancel or reschedule your session.  You do have to provide 24 hour notice to avoid getting charged the full cost of the session.  

Can I choose to do virtual sessions instead of in person sessions? If your therapist does both in person and online sessions, you are free to reschedule your sessions based on your preferences.  We will walk you through how to change your session from an in person session to a virtual one and vice versa.  

Is the portal private and secure? Yes, the portal is HIPAA compliant and secure for both documentation and for video sessions.  

Can I have my sessions on the phone rather than on video? 

We do not recommend phone sessions except in situations where a virtual or in person session cannot be held.  

How do I contact my therapist between sessions? 

Your therapist will initially reach out to you with a welcoming email and/or phone call and will share their direct contact information with you then.   

Do you accept insurance? 

We do not accept insurance and are considered an out of network provider. We will provide you with a superbill which can be used to request reimbursement from your insurance company. Please note that mentoring and coaching services as well as missed session fees are not covered by insurance.  

Why don’t you accept insurance? 

There are a number of reasons a lot of therapists do not accept insurance. These include a desire to provide appropriate care without restrictions placed on them by insurance companies, and the desire to protect the client’s mental health status from insurance prying eyes.  Sometimes insurance companies may deny coverage because they do not feel the client is progressing fast enough or may feel that the client does not meet “medical necessity”.  A vast majority of insurance companies do not consider life transitions, attachment issues, couples therapy or family work necessary as they do not have a medical diagnosis. For some, having a diagnosis may negatively affect other areas of their lives such as employment since this information could be placed in one’s medical record.  Navigating getting reimbursement for services is very time consuming for therapists, this is time that therapists could be providing care to clients.  Lastly, insurance companies continue to increase premium payments claiming rising health costs but continue to reduce the insurance reimbursement rates to mental health practitioners.   

How can I go about getting insurance to pay for my sessions? 

If you do choose to seek  reimbursement from your insurance company, please request superbills from us. You can choose to have superbills emailed to you bi weekly or monthly.  Your insurance company will apply the amount that you have paid to your deductible and then reimburse you a percentage after you have paid the deductible. We do not make any guarantees that your insurance company will reimburse you for our services. 

When will I be billed for sessions? 

You will be billed on the morning of your session.  

Do you write letters for emotional support animals? 

Yes.  Talk to your therapist about getting a letter.  There is a $75 fee for the letter.  

Is there a cost associated with having my therapist subpoenaed to court? 

Yes.  Please talk to your therapist prior to having your lawyer request her presence in court as there are fees that you should be aware of in order to make an informed decision.  

Do you provide a good faith estimate? 

Under the No Surprises Act (H.R. 133 – effective January 1, 2022), health care providers need to give clients or patients who do not have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. This Good Faith Estimate (GFE) shows the costs of items and services you can reasonably expect for your health care needs.  You have the right to receive a GFE for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services.  The GFE does not include any unknown or unexpected costs that may arise during treatment. You may experience additional charges if complications or exceptional circumstances occur.  If you receive a bill at least $400 more than your GFE, you may dispute or appeal the bill. Note: A Good Faith Estimate is for your awareness only and does not require immediate financial commitment or payment.  To learn more, go to www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 800-985-3059. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate or the dispute process, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 800-985-3059. Keep a copy of this Good Faith Estimate in a safe place or take pictures of it. You may need it if you receive a bill in a higher amount.  

What is coaching? 

Coaching revolves around personal growth and development.  Our coaches work with clients to teach skills, enhance productivity, overcome obstacles and performance issues.  Coaches will also work with clients to address behaviors, attitudes and awareness.  Coaching is a great way to enhance therapy.  At Inner Peace Counseling and Coaching, we strive to pair teens and young adults with a coach to provide better mental health outcomes.  Our coaches will meet with clients in the office, online or in the community.  They are also available for some limited texting to provide support.