+ How does counseling work?

Counseling works in a lot of ways. Here at Wellness Rooted Counseling, you start by connecting for a free consultation phone call or to schedule an appointment. Next is the intake phase, a process to establish the therapeutic relationship, payment, and other logistic necessities. Then, the treatment phase, were we work toward you reaching your goals in our scheduled sessions, while periodically checking-in on progress. Finally, the last phase is the transition phase, where we conclude our therapeutic relationship.

+ What can I expect from the free consultation call?

During the consultation call, we quickly assess if telemental health is an appropriate fit for your concerns and if I am the best counselor to help you reach your goals. It is really an opportunity for you to chat with me before we officially enter into a professional relationship. This call does not contain any therapeutic advice.

+ What is the intake process like?

Wellness Rooted Counseling is a paperless practice. You will receive an email after scheduling your first appointment with the documentation that is required to receive services. Part of the process includes collecting some personal and payment information, a questionnaire on various domains of your life from career, relationships, medical wellness, to risk assessment and more. We discuss your goals and expectations for counseling and establish a plan to reach these goals.

+ What does “paperless practice” mean?

Wellness Rooted Counseling is completely online. Once you become a client, you will have access to the client portal where you can schedule, view invoices, message your counselors, and complete the required documents.

+ How does the client portal work?

You can locate the client portal through the Wellness Rooted Counseling website or a direct link. Each time you enter, you’ll be asked if you are a new or existing client. You’ll enter the e-mail you provided at intake to request a new Instant Sign In link each time you want to log in. This eliminates the need for you to memorize a password, saves time troubleshooting login issues, and improves the overall security of the Client Portal account.

+ How does online booking work?

You can book all of your appointments online through the client portal. After you click on “book an appointment” or “client portal” through this website, a new page will open asking if you are a new or existing client, select accordingly. Then…

New clients-

• Select desired service, location, and date & time
• Await e-mail confirmation from Wellness Rooted Counseling. If the appointment request is declined, an e-mail will guide you through making another request.

Existing clients-

• Enter your e-mail
• Await e-mail with client portal access link
• Use client portal access link from email within 24 hours to enter your portal
• Click appointments or request appointment
• Select desired service, location, and date & time
• Await e-mail confirmation from Wellness Rooted Counseling. If the appointment request is declined, an e-mail will guide you through making another request.

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  + What if my desired service, location, or date and time are not among the options?

  New clients, scheduling their first session, will have fewer options for services. An intake evaluation is required as the first session even after a free consultation call. Consultations cannot be scheduled online (see next question). The only location option is “Video Office”. Date and time options are based on my availability and work schedule.

Send other questions through the Contact page. If you are an existing client, please send a message through the client portal messaging system.

+ Why is online booking not available for the free consultation?

Clients with established care take priority. I love offering free courtesy consultations, but these sessions cannot limit session options for current clients. I do my best to maximize planned and unplanned free time to complete these calls.

+ Do you offer in-person sessions?

No. Sessions are completed online via a secure, encrypted video chat. You can connect for your sessions from wherever you feel most comfortable.

+ Is online counseling right for me?

Before we embark on our relationship together, I offer two free consultations, upon request. The first is a phone call to see if we are a right fit for your success. We will touch on your level of comfort with online counseling. The second is for people who have scheduled their first session. We will take about 15 minutes to test out the technology together as if we were having our first session. If you decide telehealth isn’t for you, you’ll have no obligation to keep your first appointment.

+ What do I need for online counseling?

The simplest set up for online counseling is a device (laptop, tablet, smart phone) with a camera and microphone built in or a headphone port.

You’ll also want to have a reliable internet connection and an area where you can be alone and feel comfortable for protection of your privacy and limit distractions during sessions.

Recommended internet speeds should be at least 15Mbps download and 5Mbps upload.

+ Do I have to install or download anything in order to join the session?

No, you can join a session by simply clicking the link I will provide to you. No password or login necessary. If you’d prefer to use a mobile device, there is a free, secure, HIPAA-compliant Android and iPhone app.

+ How do you protect my information online?

All session are held in a private office away from others. If others are in the same building, the office doors remain closed and sound machines are used

I use a secure HIPPA and HiTech compliant and approved Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. This system is where all documentation is completed and stored, payment is made, sessions are scheduled, and messages are exchanged.

My professional e-mail is secure, encrypted, HIPPA and HiTech compliant.

Client information is accessed and sessions are conducted through a private Ethernet internet connection, which is much more secure than a WiFi connection. I use a professional Virtual Private Network (VPN) for healthcare to increase online privacy and anonymity through additional secure and encrypted connections.

This list covers the main steps I take to protect your information. I take other steps, such as using a data blocker for my device charging, 2-factor verification when possible, password-protected devices, password-protected and encrypted file folders, software updates, antivirus software, etc. If you have any questions about this, don’t hesitate to ask.

+ How does confidentiality work?

Your privacy is your right and your responsibility. I can help you think about how to help protect your own information if you’d like. You have control over how your personal information is shared. I have a duty to protect the information you share with me, this is confidentiality. I will neither confirm nor deny you are in counseling if I am asked. I do not tell your partner, boss, best friend, even your emergency contact. There are a few exceptions, which I go over in greater detail during the consent portion of intake (e.g., danger to self or others, suspicion of child, or elder abuse).

+ What is the helping field?

The “helping field” is a profession that encompasses all people who work to nurture the growth and healing of other people’s physical, mental, emotional well-being through educational and health services.

+ What is the cost of therapy?

Therapy is an investment of money or time, and often times, both. The cost of therapy varies between professions, often reflecting the therapists’ training and experience. You can learn more about me and my qualifications on the About Me page.

The benefits of therapy have the potential to repay you if you are willing to invest more than just money. I value your time, my time, and the services I offer, and charge accordingly.

+ Do you accept insurance?

No. I have decided not to work with insurance companies for increased client privacy, individualized treatment planning, and care driven service, rather than having our sessions driven by insurance requirements. This allows your care to be my primary focus.

Even when clients use insurance for counseling, co-pays can be quite costly. Additionally, insurance companies often have unexpected requirements, such as having a qualifying mental health diagnosis attached to the client’s health record. While I will provide mental health diagnoses when applicable, they are not a requirement for your continued care with Wellness Rooted Counseling.

I do accept payments from Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) to help you save by paying for therapy with pre-tax dollars.

I recognize insurance may be a financial necessity for some clients. I am willing to provide a detailed invoice or ‘super-bill’ for you to submit to your insurance company for service reimbursement if they accept “out-of-network” counselors. You will want to contact your insurance company to verify this. Be sure to ask what your out-of-network deductible for outpatient mental health is, if you need a referral, and how to submit claims. Specifically ask about codes 90791, 90837, 90834, 90846, and 90847 with modifier 95 for telemental health.

If they do not accept out-of-network providers, we may not be able to embark on the counseling journey together. See below for possible financial support, or ask your insurance company for a list of ‘in-network’ providers that will be able to offer insurance-covered services.

+ Do you offer any financial support or discounts?

I offer a limited number of sessions for clients in need of financial assistance. Please contact me to be considered and added to the waiting list.

By request, I offer 20% discount on counseling services for active duty US service members, their spouses/partners, and veterans.

+ How does payment work?

All payments are made online through the secure client portal, which you will have access to after scheduling your first appointment. Payment is due before sessions begin, after your free consultation.

+ What is the cancellation policy?

You must cancel within 24 hours of your session to prevent a cancellation fee. The late session fee varies based on the service you recieve, but is less than the no show fee. There is no charge for cancellations due to emergency situations.

+ Do you have a money back guarantee?

No. I offer one free consultation phone call and free equipment-test video call to ensure we are a good fit and you are aware of how therapy will look. You are able to terminate our relationship at any time. If you are unhappy with the services I provide and want to transfer to a different counselor, I will meet with you once more, free of charge, to support you in finding a new counselor or completing a transition plan.