A: Therapy, also called counseling or psychotherapy, is a process in which a client works with a healthcare professional to diagnose and resolve problematic beliefs, behaviors, relationship issues, feelings and sometimes physical responses. Therapy uses evidence-based treatments, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic, and Family Systems therapy, to address various emotional and functional difficulties. Psychotherapy often takes into consideration a person’s family history, and personal experiences from the past to conceptualize the problem, and to guide treatment. The idea behind therapy is to focus on past or present issues to change self-destructive habits, repair and improve relationships, and work through painful feelings with the hope of resolving past issues and creating a happier, more stable future.

Life coaching is more of a solution-focused, problem solving approach. The goal is to help the client set and achieve personal or professional goals, while also challenging, providing encouragement, accountability, and an additional perspective throughout the process. A client works with a coach in order to clarify goals and identify obstacles and problematic behaviors, in order to create action plans to achieve desired results. The process of life coaching takes the client’s current starting point as an acceptable neutral ground and is more action-based from that point onward.

A: Therapy is covered under most health coverage, life coaching is not.

To determine if you have mental health coverage for therapy through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers. Some helpful questions you can ask them:

What are my mental health benefits?

What is the coverage amount per therapy session?

How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?

How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?

Is approval required from my primary care physician?

At this time we accept Aetna, Cigna, CareFirst BCBS, Humana/Tricare, United Healthcare, and out-of-network providers, and self-pay clients.

A: We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, cash, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA). Full payment is due at the time services are rendered. Your co-pay will be charged prior to your session starting.

A: If a client does not cancel within 24 hours notice of their appointment time they will be charged $75. If a client no shows for their appointment they will be charged $150. All client balances must be paid in full in order for a following appointment to be made. New clients who no show or late cancel will not be rescheduled for a future session (This will be at the discretion of the therapist).

A: We are not immediately accessible outside of sessions or 24/7 therefore if you have a mental health crisis or emergency you should call 911. Additonal resources below:

988

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-TALK

(suicidepreventionlifeline.org)

(For deaf and hard of hearing: 800-799-4889)

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

Prince George’s County Health DepartmentBehavioral Health ServicesLocal Behavioral Health Authority9314 Piscataway RoadClinton, Maryland 20735Phone: 301-856-9500 Fax: 301-856-9558

A: Yes, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and a psychotherapist. Information is not disclosed without written permission. However, there are number of exceptions to this rule. Exceptions include:

• Suspected child abuse or Dependent adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.

• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s. The therapist must notify the police and inform the intended victim.

• If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in insuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, further measures may be taken without their permission in order to ensure their safety.