Frequently Asked Questions
Below you’ll find answers to many of the most frequently asked questions including insurance, our cancellation policy, and getting started with therapy. If your question isn’t answered below, feel free to fill out our contact form or reach out via email.
Rates, Fees, & Insurance
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Intake (60 minutes): $175
This is our first session and chance to dive in and get to know each other. We’ll talk about what’s bringing you in, explore your story, and begin to map out what healing and support might look like for you.
Ongoing Sessions (50 minutes): $150
Sessions are available in-person, virtually, or as a hybrid, depending on what works best for you.
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Yes! We reserve a limited number of sliding scale spots for clients needing financial flexibility. Sliding scale means a reduced rate based on your income or financial situation.
These spots are first-come, first-served. If we don’t currently have a sliding scale spot available, we are always happy to offer referrals to trusted lower-cost providers.
If you’re looking for an in-network provider, here are some great places to look:
https://www.emdria.org/find-an-emdr-therapist/
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I am able to provide superbills for those with out-of-network insurance plans. I also accept self-pay clients so you are welcome to use or opt-out of using insurance at any time.
If you would like to be proactive, you can check you coverage carefully by calling the number on the back of your card and asking the following questions:
Do I have mental health benefits?
What is my deductible and has it been met?
How many sessions per year does my health insurance allow?
What is my co-pay?
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You might have more coverage than you realize! To find out, call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask:
Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?
What is my deductible for out-of-network services? Has it been met?
What percentage of each session will I be reimbursed for?
(Mention CPT code 90837: 53-minute individual psychotherapy.)How do I submit a superbill for reimbursement?
Are there any session limits or pre-authorizations required?
If you’d like to use superbills for out-of-network reimbursement, please let us know. Please note that insurance reimbursement requires a mental health diagnosis to be listed on the superbill.
I currently only accept Kaiser for those living in Colorado. While I don't accept other insurances directly, your plan may have out-of-network (OON) benefits, which means your insurance will reimburse you for a large portion of our session cost. If you do have OON benefits, I have partnered with Thrizer to handle the out-of-network process automatically for you. They will take care of submitting and managing the claims for you, so you don't have to worry about submitting superbills. Once you meet your deductible, you also have the option to pay a reduced fee for our sessions, instead of needing to pay my full rate and waiting for a reimbursement check.
Please use this link to check whether you have OON benefits and your expected fee post deductible.
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Bright Connections Counseling is only in-network with Kaiser in Colorado. We are considered an out-of-network provider for all other insurances in Colorado and Virginia. While I do think it’s important to provide care that isn’t dictated by insurance requirements or forced diagnoses, I have opted to remain in-network with Kaiser (CO) to make therapy more accessible.
If your insurance plan includes out-of-network mental health benefits, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement. Your out-of-network benefits are usually pretty straightforward to use. Learn more here.
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Our online system accepts most credit/debit cards, including HSA and FSA cards that function like a regular card.
Before your first session, you will receive a secure form to enter your card info. The session fee is charged the evening of each appointment.
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For self-employed & entrepreneurs:
Depending on the content and focus of our sessions, it is likely that you can count therapy sessions as a business expense and thus, a tax deduction. Consult with your accountant to see if this applies to you.
About the Sessions
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Your first session is a chance for us to slow down, get to know each other, and begin exploring what brings you to therapy. We’ll talk through what’s been coming up for you, what you’re hoping to shift or understand, and what you want from our work together. I will reference your intake paperwork to get more context from you. Throughout this first session, you’re always welcome to share what feels most important, and to ask me questions, too.
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This is different for everyone. For some individuals, a few sessions is all it takes. For others, deep exploration and healing might occur over the span of several months or longer. We’re an open door practice and see many of our clients over the course of years, as they face the different challenges that come up in adult life.
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If you are unable to attend a therapy appointment, please make sure you cancel at least 24 hours beforehand. In the event of a no-show or late-cancellation within the 24 hour window, you will be charged the full amount of the missed session ($150). I offer one late cancellation or no-show grace per client. After that, any late cancellations, reschedules, or no-shows will be charged the full fee of $150. Special consideration may be given in the case of an emergency or sudden illness, at my discretion.
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The simple answer is yes! Since COVID, virtual meetings have become a norm in our daily lives. And, because of the convenience they afford, it’s likely to stay that way. There are numerous benefits to online therapy, particularly for those who work from home, have children and/or busy schedules, are COVID-conscious, live in a rural area, or value increased privacy (and the list goes on)! Thanks to a variety of new and innovative technologies, EMDR can be just as effective online as well.
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Yes, confidentiality is one of the most essential parts of the therapeutic relationship. What you share in session stays between us, and you’ll receive a written informed consent form that specifies this in the intake paperwork.
That said, there are a few legal and ethical exceptions to confidentiality, which exist to keep you and others safe. As a mandated reporter, I’m required to break confidentiality if:
You disclose suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elder, or vulnerable adult
You’re at serious risk of harming yourself or someone else
If those situations ever come up, we’ll talk through them with care. My priority is to support your safety and wellbeing, while maintaining our relationship even if a report needs to be made.
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At this time, I am not accepting any new children or teen clients.
Misc + More Questions
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I don’t provide treatment for primary psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. I am also not an expert in substance abuse. If you’re seeking support in these areas, I’m happy to offer referrals to trusted providers who specialize in this type of care.
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I offer a free 15-minute intro call to all potential new clients. It’s very low-pressure and helps us get to know each other a bit to figure out if working together feels like a good fit.
Here’s what you can expect:
I’ll ask what’s bringing you to therapy right now
I’ll share more about me and how I work as a therapist
You can ask any questions you have
We’ll cover logistics like rates, insurance, and availability
Again, this call is just a starting place and a chance to see if it feels like the right next step for you. And if it’s not the right fit, I can share referrals to some really great therapists that I know and trust.
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If we both feel like it’s a good fit after our intro call, we’ll schedule your first therapy session. I’ll send you intake forms to complete ahead of time. If you’ve scheduled a virtual session, you’ll receive a secure video link via SimplePractice, a HIPAA-compliant platform designed specifically for therapy.