FAQs

What does the first appointment look like?

Whether in person or online, the treatment process for adults begins with an initial appointment. During the mandatory intake session, we will discuss what brought you to counseling. I usually ask the question, “What led up to you thinking, ‘Hmm, maybe I should talk to someone.’” We will talk about history, any appropriate safety concerns, office policies and limits to confidentiality – along with your specific goals for therapy. Appropriate next steps will be discussed at the conclusion of the intake session.

What if the appointment is for my child?

If the client is under the age of 18 years old, I do require a parent or guardian intake session prior to beginning the therapeutic relationship with a minor client. In this session with parents, we will go over background information, any appropriate safety concerns, office policies, limits to confidentiality and goals for therapy for the child and the family. I will then meet with the minor client for 3 to 4 sessions; seeking to gain a better understanding of family dynamics and presenting concerns, as well as building rapport. After these sessions, I will follow-up with the parent or guardian to discuss the treatment plan moving forward.

How much do sessions cost?

Initial intake sessions are $165.00 for up to 60 minutes.

All subsequent sessions and parent consults are based on a 50-minutes therapeutic hour and are $150.00 per session.

Payment will be automatically collected after each session with a card on file in the confidential patient portal that is setup upon initial scheduling. Explore Counseling and Wellness accepts all major credit cards and HSA savings cards as forms of payment.

What is the No Surprises Act - Good Faith Estimate?

As summarized in an APA article: “Beginning January 1, 2022, psychologists and other mental health care providers will be required by law to give uninsured and self-pay patients a good faith estimate of costs for services that they offer, when scheduling care or when the patient
requests an estimate.”

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. It is not a contract or bill, but your provider’s responsibility to you!

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.

How do you contact the state licensing board?

An individual who wishes to file a complaint against a Licensed Professional Counselor may write to:

Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council 333 Guadalupe St, Tower 3, Room 900 Austin, Texas 78701

Or call: (512) 305-7700 or 800-821-3205 24-hour, toll-free complaint system.

Do you accept insurance?

Providers at Explore are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and can verify benefits for clients in that network before the first session. For clients out of network, they can provide a client “Superbill” upon request that a client can submit to their insurance for any possible out of network benefits. The process is to be completed by the client.

What if I or my child is in crisis?

Please call 9-1-1 or go to your closest ER or psychiatric hospital for evaluation. Explore Counseling and Wellness does not provide crisis care and we want to make sure each person gets to safety as soon as possible!