Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
What ages do you see for therapy?
I see adolescents ages 14 and up and adults.
Where is your office located?
I do not see clients in-person. All therapy sessions are held online using a secure tele-health video platform. This allows for public health safety and clients have found it more convenient and equally effective as in-person sessions. A therapist’s license covers the whole state, so I can see clients who live anywhere in Texas. So, folks in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, and all the small towns in-between are welcome to reach out!
How often do I need to come to therapy?
I see my clients weekly. Weekly sessions allow for a more rich, deeper experience of therapy. When clients start to notice the symptoms/concerns that brought them to therapy are improving or when they get close to ending their therapy journey, we can change sessions to be every other week (2x/month). In regard to how long the entire therapy journey can take, unfortunately, I cannot provide a definitive answer. There are many variables that impact the length of time someone is in therapy, for example, frequency of sessions, participation level, effort, the complexity and severity of symptoms, and the client’s willingness to be honest and open to change.
Why is therapy so expensive?
Great question! Therapy is expensive. It’s one of the most significant investments you can make for yourself that benefits you long-term. Therapists do a lot of “behind the scenes” work for their clients to ensure high quality services are consistently delivered. A few other reasons why therapy sessions are priced at the rates they are include:
The rate for therapy sessions is determined by where you live and the cost of living in that area.Therapy sessions in Texas typically ranges from $100 to $175 for a 50 min session, whereas in New York, it’s $175-200+ per session.
To maintain the monthly fees to run the business, for example paying for confidential video platforms, software to maintain client records safely and securely, and to keep up-to-date with liability insurance premiums
Licensed therapists are required to attend continuing education courses in order to keep their license. We regularly attend pricey trainings/conferences and consultation groups to get guidance on cases
Subscription fees to national therapist directory websites so clients can find us easily
Funds for the latest books to stay up to date on best practices
The cost of higher education has sky-rocketed over the past decade. Therapists who had to take out loans to cover the cost of their bachelors and masters degrees can end up with a student loan balance nearing $100,000 or more, depending on where & when they went to school.
I believe therapy should be accessible to anyone seeking services; for this reason, I intentionally save a few spots on my caseload for clients who need a reduced rate. Feel free to ask about this during your initial phone call. Keep in mind that clients who pay the full session rate help make it possible for other clients with lower income to receive therapy services. If the reduced rate I can offer still doesn’t meet your budget, I’m happy to provide you with a list of community counseling centers that offer therapy at low or no-cost.
What’s your cancellation policy?
Therapy sessions are usually scheduled weekly and are scheduled in advance. If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please call (and leave a voice message if I cannot answer), email or text me at least 24 hours in advance to ensure that you are not charged for a missed appointment. Appointments that are not cancelled at least 24 hours in advance are subject to a full session fee of $145. Insurance companies do not pay for missed appointment/late cancellation fees - it is the client’s responsibly to pay this.
Do you take insurance?
Yes. The majority of therapists in private practice do not take insurance because insurance companies can be a headache to deal with. There can be delays or issues with them reimbursing therapists for services, and they often put limits on how many sessions a client can have. I choose to take insurance in order to make therapy services more accessible and affordable for clients. I am in network with a few insurance companies: Aetna, United Healthcare, Oscar, and Oxford. Please note: using insurance for mental health services requires that the therapist submit a mental health diagnosis, similarly to when you use your health insurance to see your medical provider and they submit a diagnosis. If you choose not to use your health insurance, I am happy to provide you with the proper paperwork to file for reimbursement on your own. Please note that submitting a Superbill (a detailed mental health service receipt) to your insurance provider also requires that a formal diagnosis be documented and it is not a guarantee of reimbursement.
What will my first session be like? I’m nervous. Will I have to share my deepest, darkest secrets?
No. I promise it’s not like the movies. You’re not expected to talk about the deepest, darkest moments of your life on session #1, #10, or ever. What you share is up to you. Therapy requires your vulnerability. Vulnerability can only be grown in a safe and trusted environment. I invite you to make your space cozy - bring your coffee, cat, and fidget toys. Your first several appointments will consist of information gathering, I’ll ask some questions that help me get to know you better, and you’re welcome to ask me questions too if you’d like (not required). No two intake sessions look the same, but I’ll share some basic “first day” announcements that I tell all clients, and then we’ll likely talk about current symptoms you’re having, what you’d like to be better/different about your situation, etc. Sessions are 50 minutes long and I’ll give you a heads up when we are getting close to wrapping up.
Are there certain cases you do NOT take?
Each therapist has a scope of practice; this means they have limits to the type of cases they can see. I cannot take cases with a presenting concern of substance abuse, eating disorders, or acute mental health situations. Again, these areas are a speciality, and virtual therapy isn’t a good fit for all clients. I’m happy to help you search for a therapist or counseling center that may be a better fit for you if you’re outside my scope of practice.
Do you do couples therapy or family therapy?
I do not. Couples therapy and family therapy are a speciality. I’m happy to provide you with referrals to an LMFT who can help, though. An LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Tell me more about your therapy groups for teens.
I love group therapy. I love facilitating it and I enjoy being a member of it (yes, therapists go to group therapy too!) There’s something super magical and impactful about group therapy - how often do we get to sit in a group of peers with similar experiences and be totally validated for how we feel? Safely & without judgement. It’s rare. Group therapy has actually been shown to be more effective and efficient than individual therapy for certain conditions.
I run my groups as both a process group (talking, expressing emotions) AND a pyschoeducational group (learning about mental/behavioral health topics). Process groups are not formally structured with a set weekly agenda, however, you can expect the following topics to be discussed in both groups: social anxiety, friendships, Covid-19/pandemic life, depression, body image concerns, mindfulness, self-compassion, negative self talk, healthy sleep behavior, trauma and common trauma responses, self-soothing techniques and self-esteem.
$50 per session; $200 total per month. Limited reduced-fee spots available for those with financial hardship. Insurance is not accepted. Group therapy is an investment in yourself and your relationships - please plan to attend weekly with minimal absences. 4 members are needed to start the group. A max of 10 teens can join.
I’m really interested in setting up my initial phone consultation with you. How do I do that?
I offer a free 15 min phone consultation to determine mutual fit. Please call or email me and we’ll discuss scheduling. 512-598-1530. info@therapywithamah.com.
LCSW and MSSW? What’s up with all these letters? What’s the difference between an LPC, LMFT, Psychologist and Psychiatrist?
It can be really confusing to the general public when they’re searching for a therapist and see these different letters after their name. These letters indicate the specific therapist licensure a clinician carries. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) are very similar in terms of course work in college, theoretical orientation and clinical interventions. Clinical Social Workers, however, are trained to keep social justice issues top of mind, understand case management services, and operate from a systems-based lens. You can read more about therapists licenses and degrees here.
Why do you have “she/her/ella” written underneath your name?
She/her/ella are my pronouns. Ella is the Spanish word for she/her. You can’t assume someone’s gender just by looking at them. Sharing my pronouns helps to create a more respectful and inclusive therapy practice. It also helps nudge society away from the gender binary of only using “he” or “she” pronouns and makes space for all the other genders (like non-binary or transgender folks).