FREQUENTLY ASKED

Answers to common questions

Starting therapy can feel like a lot. Here are the practical details to help you feel more prepared before reaching out.

GETTING STARTED

Before your first session

  • Good question. There is no one symptom that leads people to therapy. Most people start because something feels heavy, stuck, or out of sync. If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stretched thin, or simply curious about working on yourself with support, therapy can be a meaningful place to start. You never know until you try.

    The free 15-minute consultation is the easiest way to get a feel for whether we'd be a good fit without any commitment.

  • Your first session, also called the intake session, is 75 minutes long. It is a little longer than a regular session. We'll spend that time getting to know each other, talking through what's bringing you in, and beginning to shape what our work together might look like.

    You don't need to prepare or have a monologue planned beforehand. Come as you are.

  • Most clients begin with weekly sessions, which tend to create the strongest momentum in the early weeks of therapy. As things progress, some clients shift to biweekly or monthly sessions. We'll figure out a schedule that fits your goals and your life together.

  • It depends on what you're working on. Some clients come for focused, shorter-term work around a specific challenge (a few months). Others benefit from longer-term therapy as a space for ongoing growth and support. We'll revisit session frequency over time to make sure the space is continuing to be supportive to you.

VIRTUAL SESSIONS

How online therapy works

  • All sessions are held through SimplePractice, a secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform designed for therapy.

    Once you're scheduled, you'll receive an email with a unique link to your client portal and your session. You'll also get a reminder with the session link before each appointment. On the day of your session, simply click the link a few minutes early, allow access to your camera and microphone, and you'll be brought into the virtual waiting room where I'll join you at our scheduled time.

    No downloads are required if you're on a computer. If you're on a phone or tablet, you'll be prompted to download the free Telehealth by SimplePractice app.

  • You'll need:

    • A reliable internet connection
    • A charged device with a camera and microphone (laptop, tablet, or phone)
    • A private, quiet space where you can speak freely
    • Headphones, if you share your space with others (recommended)ext goes here

  • Research consistently shows that virtual therapy is as effective as in-person therapy for most concerns, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and relationship challenges. Many clients actually find it easier to show up consistently and speak more openly from a familiar space. Ultimately, it becomes a question of personal preference.

  • No. At this time, I am licensed in Maryland and can only provide therapy to clients physically located in Maryland at the time of their session.

FEES & INSURANCE

Payment & Billing

  • The Mind's Harbor is currently a private pay practice, meaning I do not bill insurance directly. Many clients with PPO plans are able to receive partial reimbursement through their out-of-network mental health benefits.

  • If you have out-of-network mental health coverage, I can provide a monthly superbill, basically an itemized receipt, that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. The amount reimbursed depends on your individual plan.

    I recommend calling the member services number on the back of your insurance card and asking:

    • Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?
    • What is my out-of-network deductible, and how much of it has been met?
    • What percentage of the session fee will be reimbursed?
    • Is pre-authorization required?

  • Working outside of insurance gives us more freedom to focus on your care. It means:

    • No requirement for a formal mental health diagnosis
    • No outside limits on session length or frequency
    • No insurance companies reviewing your clinical records
    • More privacy and more flexibility in how we work together

  • I accept all major credit and debit cards, as well as HSA and FSA cards.

    Payment is collected automatically through the secure SimplePractice client portal at the time of each session.

  • I ask that cancellations be made at least 24 hours in advance. Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours notice, or missed appointments, are charged the full session fee.

    I understand that life happens. At the very least, please reach out to me for further discussion.

  • Yes. I believe good therapy should be accessible, and I reserve a limited number of sliding scale spots for clients experiencing financial hardship. These spots fill quickly and availability changes over time.

    If cost is a barrier for you, please mention it when you reach out. We can talk about what's feasible and whether a sliding scale spot is currently available. If one isn't, I'm happy to point you toward other trusted options in Maryland.

PRIVACY

Confidentiality

  • Yes. What you share in therapy is protected by law and professional ethics. There are a few limited exceptions to this, such as when there is a risk of serious harm to yourself or others, or suspected abuse of a child or vulnerable adult. We will talk this through in our first session.

  • Yes. SimplePractice is fully HIPAA-compliant, uses end-to-end encryption for all video sessions, and meets the highest standards for protecting your private information.

Still have questions?

I'm happy to talk through anything that comes up. Reach out, or schedule a free 15-minute consultation.

Get in Touch