Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Yes, I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to create an opportunity for us to get to know each other, discuss your needs, and determine if we are a good fit for ongoing services.

Call me at 512-253-1563 or contact me here to schedule your consultation.

I am licensed to provide mental health services in the state of Texas (license #36078).

I do not have a traditional brick-and-mortar office. Instead, I work out of a cozy RV that I’ve converted into a mobile office. This gives me the flexibility to bring services directly to you, whether virtually or at your home, workplace, doctor’s office, or other preferred location.

I travel to Cedar Park, Leander, Jonestown, Georgetown, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Lago Vista, Lakeway, Liberty Hill, and North Austin for in-person sessions.

I provide virtual services throughout Texas.

Yes. I’m a late-diagnosed ADHDer with both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive traits. My daughter was also recently identified as ADHD, combined type.

My clients often say they trust my work because I share their lived experience of ADHD. They appreciate that I truly understand their neurodivergent experiences.

Communication Questions

I answer calls by appointment only. Feel free to leave a voicemail on my business phone any time, 24/7. My business voicemail is HIPAA-compliant. All voicemails will be saved and stored securely. I will respond by email or text messaging, so be sure to leave your email address and phone number.
512-253-1563

You can text me at any hour.  I keep my notifications set to silent and check them throughout the day, so you don’t have to worry about waking me or interrupting me. Just don’t expect a response at any hour.

I respond to clients throughout the day. If you message me by text or email and do not receive a response or acknowledgment within 24 hours, you can assume that I did not receive the message. In that case, please try again, or use an alternate communication method such as voicemail or the contact form on my website.

Of course!

Just be aware: Your personal email is not secure, so keep that in mind when you send a message about anything you’d like to keep private.

You are also welcome to send me a text with your questions about services at 512-253-1563, but please be aware that texts sent from your phone’s native texting app will not be secure. Once you have made initial contact, I will invite you to a secure text conversation in the iPlum app.

I will respond to your intake form within 24 hours. If you haven’t heard back from me within 24 hours, and there’s nothing in your spam folder, please send me a text (512-253-1563) or email to let me know you’ve submitted the form. 

For current clients, I respond to phone calls and emails quickly, typically within 12 hours or less, seven days a week, often within the hour.

Text messaging and email messaging are asynchronous. You may occasionally get an immediate response to a text or email, but that will be unusual and should not be expected. In general, I will respond throughout the day. If you message me by text or email and do not receive a response or acknowledgment within 24 hours, you can assume that I did not receive the message. In that case, please try again or use an alternate communication channel.

Please understand that if I’m in session with other clients or otherwise engaged, I may not be able to respond immediately. It is also unlikely that I will be manning the chat during regular sleep hours, though I may surprise you and respond before or after business hours if I am awake and see that you’ve just sent a message.

Appointment Questions

I see clients between 10 AM and 4 PM, Monday through Friday.

Sessions are by appointment only.

Not at this time. In addition to being a psychologist, I am also a mother and a wife. I set aside my evenings and weekends for family and self-care time.

Schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation call to discuss services and see if we are a good fit for continued services. 

If so, we will determine what services you want to pursue and schedule your first session. 

You will be asked to complete new client paperwork via the client portal before your first session.

You may want to contact your insurance company at this time to inquire about possible out-of-network benefits.

We will determine the location of your session, whether online or in person, during the initial intake appointment. 

At that point, all you have to do is show up at your scheduled appointment time with an open mind and an open heart. 

You schedule appointments directly through me after you have completed the intake process. I will ask your scheduling preferences on your initial intake form.

I strongly encourage you to communicate about appointments through secure texting. Sometimes you will want to add a question about therapy, and keeping our communications on secure apps reduces the chance of a privacy breach. Once I've received your completed intake form and accepted you as a client, I will text you a link to install a HIPAA-secure text messaging app so we can start a private, secure conversation. 

Our first session will last approximately 55 minutes and will take place via secure video conferencing.

The initial intake session is a time for us to get to know each other, establish rapport, and lay the foundation for the therapeutic work ahead. 

During the first session, we will:

  • Review your intake forms and answer any questions about policies. 
  • Begin to build rapport as we establish a therapeutic relationship.
  • Discuss the reasons you are seeking support at this time and any goals you hope to achieve through therapy or testing. 
  • Discuss your personal history, including family dynamics, past experiences, significant life events, and any relevant cultural or social factors that may impact your mental health.
  • Possibly conduct a brief assessment to gather additional information about symptoms, emotions, behaviors, and coping strategies.

The intake session typically ends with a discussion of next steps, including scheduling future sessions and any homework or self-care strategies to implement between sessions. 

You can bring whatever helps you feel more comfortable and prepared. 

Here are some suggestions:

Notebook or Journal: bringing a notebook or journal can be helpful for jotting down thoughts, feelings, or insights during or after the session.

Pen or Pencil: having a writing utensil on hand allows you to take notes, complete worksheets, or doodle if it helps you relax.

Water Bottle: staying hydrated is important, so bringing a water bottle can ensure that you have access to water during the session.

Comfort Items: bringing comfort items such as a favorite blanket, stuffed animal, or fidget toy can provide a sense of security and grounding during the session.

Medication: if applicable, you should bring any medication you may need during the session.

Questions or Topics: you may want to bring a list of questions, topics, or concerns you'd like to discuss during the session to ensure you cover everything important to you.

Homework: bring any homework assignments or materials that were given in previous sessions. 

If you prefer a certain day and time, I recommend that you book a standing appointment so you will have that slot reserved. A standing appointment is a recurring appointment. This means that you are reserving the same day/time slot every week or at a frequency of your choosing.

If you book a standing appointment every other week, the alternate week will likely be booked with another client who does the same. This means that if you need to reschedule, I may not have that slot open on the alternate week, so you may have to take a different slot or wait a month until your next regularly scheduled appointment. Please do not schedule standing appointments unless you are certain you can commit to this time slot.

If you reserve a standing appointment and cancel or reschedule it two times in a row, I will ask you to move your standing appointment to another slot or schedule your appointments from week to week instead. Please note that I will not hold a standing slot if you take a leave of absence from therapy.

I will send appointment reminders, but you are responsible for keeping the appointments you schedule.

Reminders will come via email and text, at approximately 48 hours and 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointments.

If you’re unable to make your scheduled appointment, please contact me as soon as possible. I can typically find an alternate date and time to reschedule.

My cancellation policy requires at least 24 hours' notice. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice will be charged the full appointment rate. Let me know as soon as you can, and we’ll figure out the best option!

Service Questions

Yes, I do offer virtual options for testing and therapy sessions. Sessions are conducted via a HIPAA-compliant Simple Practice platform.

Virtual sessions offer convenience, accessibility, and flexibility, and allow you to attend sessions from the comfort of your own home or any location with internet or phone access. This eliminates the need for travel time or concerns about transportation or mobility limitations.

Yes. I offer both in-person and virtual sessions. In-person sessions are conducted curbside in my mobile unit. The location of the service will be determined and agreed upon before the session.

I also offer services via secure video conferencing. Your initial session will be a video session. After that, it is up to you whether you prefer video or in-person sessions.

My curbside option offers a unique and innovative approach to therapy and testing, bringing benefits directly to you in my mobile office.

This mobile model allows me to offer support conveniently at your home, workplace, outdoors, or even at your doctor's office parking lot, providing flexibility and accessibility that traditional office-based services may not offer.

This can reduce barriers to treatment, such as transportation issues or scheduling conflicts. Plus, meeting in your chosen location may enhance your comfort, privacy, and overall therapeutic experience. 

As a client in my mobile office, you’ll experience the convenience of a private, fully-equipped space that comes to you. The mobile office is designed with your comfort and needs in mind.

You’ll enjoy comfortable seating for therapy sessions, where we can have our conversations in a cozy, welcoming environment.

For psychological testing, I provide convenient table seating, ensuring you have everything you need for a smooth and effective experience.

Need a break? There’s a full kitchen with refreshments available to keep you energized.

Plus, the mobile office includes a full bathroom, so you have everything at your fingertips in case nature calls.

This setup allows you to experience the same professional services as a traditional office, with the added benefit of flexibility and convenience.

Ecotherapy, also known as nature therapy or green therapy, incorporates interactions with nature to help boost our mood and well-being. Therapy sessions may take places outside in parks, gardens, or even on hiking trails. 

Studies have shown that spending time in nature can really lift the spirit, reduce stress, improve concentration, and help us feel more connected to ourselves and the world around us. 

If you're curious about trying nature therapy as part of your treatment, let's talk about how we can make that happen and bring a little bit of nature into your healing journey.

Click here to read more about ecotherapy. 

ADHD and psychological evaluations typically include several components designed to assess variety of issues and concerns.

A comprehensive evaluation may include the following components:

  • Clinical Interview: an in-depth interview to gather information about your personal history, current symptoms, mental health concerns, and goals for treatment.
  • Mental Status Exam: an assessment of your current mental state, including your mood, affect, thought processes, cognition, and behavior.
  • Psychological Testing: administration of standardized psychological tests and measures to assess various aspects of your psychological functioning, such as intelligence, attention and concentration, memory, problem-solving abilities, and emotional functioning.
  • Behavioral Observations: observations of your behavior, demeanor, and interactions during the evaluation process can provide valuable insights into your functioning.
  • Collateral Information: information may be gathered from collateral sources, such as family members or other professionals involved in your care, to obtain additional perspectives on your functioning and history.
  • Feedback and Recommendations: we will discuss the assessment findings during a feedback session, including information on your strengths and areas of concerns, diagnostic impressions (if applicable), and treatment recommendations. 
  • Report: you will receive a comprehensive write up of all of the findings, interpretations, diagnostics, and treatment recommendations at the feedback session.

A treatment plan helps outline what to expect, the goals you are currently working toward, and the ways in which we are attempting to achieve those goals.

I will personalize your program based on the things you tell me you want to work on. I will make sure you understand every aspect of your treatment plan, and I will give you a copy of it so you can refer to it any time you like.

Most clients prefer weekly sessions at first to build trust, momentum, and continuity.

Every 6 months, we'll review the frequency and format of your sessions and make any necessary adjustments based on your needs. If you feel a change is needed sooner, please bring it up during our sessions so we can discuss it.

Individual therapy sessions typically last 53 minutes. 

Group therapy sessions are 90 minutes.

Nature sessions and walk-and-talk sessions are 75 minutes.

Testing can last several hours.

Individual Therapy

The duration of individual therapy varies greatly depending on your individual needs, goals, and the specific issues you are addressing. Some people find significant improvement in a few weeks or months, while others may benefit from longer-term therapy spanning several months to years. 

We'll regularly assess your progress together and adjust our approach as needed. The goal is to ensure that you feel supported and are making meaningful strides toward your goals. 

Group Therapy

Group therapy programs last 8 weeks and address specific themes or challenges. While the program duration is fixed, the impact and benefit you gain from group therapy can vary for each client. Some participants will find that they achieve their goals within the 8-week period, while others may choose to continue therapy or explore additional resources afterward. 

Our focus during these weeks will be on providing you with valuable tools, insights, and support to help you make meaningful progress toward your goals. 

Assessments

The duration of the psychological evaluation process can vary depending on several factors, including the complexity of the assessment, the specific referral questions, and our availability. On average, the evaluation process can be concluded within 2 to 3 weeks.

A typical assessment timeline may include:

  • Initial Interview
  • Assessment Administration
  • Report Writing
  • Feedback Session

Once the evaluation process is complete, you may decide to pursue 1-1 or group therapy to work on the treatment goals that were outlined in the clinical report.

Let me know, and we’ll find a better fit. It's natural to feel some discomfort when trying new things in therapy. However, I don't want you to feel stuck with something you're not comfortable with. If our current approach isn’t working for you, please tell me so we can explore other strategies.

Fee Questions

My base hourly rate is $200/hour. Please see my Rates and Packages page for more details.

I do not. I am not in-network with any insurance companies.

There are several reasons why:

If we submit claims to insurance companies, they require me to provide a diagnosis.

If we submit a claim to them, insurance companies have the right to read and obtain copies of anything in your chart. This puts your privacy at risk.

Insurance companies put a cap on how much time I can spend with you. I believe that should be your decision.

Insurance companies do not reimburse for text-based services, service packages, or certain add-on options and I believe those services are helpful, relevant, and important.

Insurance companies have rules about which diagnoses deserve reimbursement and which do not. As a private pay provider, I do not have to pathologize your symptoms to get paid.

Superbills and Receipts

My standard practice is to provide receipts and  superbills. A superbill is a special type of receipt with additional information required by insurance companies. When you request a superbill, it will be necessary to give you a diagnosis and to adhere to health plan rules regarding session length. Please note that some services may not be covered even with a superbill.

If your insurance company requires pre-authorization for testing or your records in order to approve a claim, you will need to request the records from me and send them yourself. As a non-contracted provider, I do not participate in chart audits or claims justification, and I will not communicate with the insurance company on your behalf. 

If you need a referral to a clinician who accepts insurance, please contact your insurance company for a list of contracted providers.

A superbill is a detailed document used by healthcare providers to itemize and summarize the services provided to a client. It contains important information necessary for insurance claims processing and client billing. 

Superbills typically contain my provider information, your client information, the date and type of service, diagnosis and procedural codes, and charges.

You will automatically receive a superbill for any service you come in for. Please see the previous FAQ for more details on the pros and cons of superbills.

"Out-of-network" (OON) means I don't have a contractual agreement with insurance companies. If you receive care from an OON provider, your insurance may reimburse a portion of the cost if you file a superbill.

To check if you have out-of-network benefits, you can review your insurance policy or contact the insurance company.

Specific questions to ask about out-of-network coverage:

  • What percentage of out-of-network costs are covered?
  • What is the out-of-network deductible?
  • What is the out-of-pocket maximum for out-of-network services?
  • Are there any services that are not covered out of network?
  • How does the reimbursement process work?

I accept a limited number of sliding scale appointments on a case-by-case basis. Please feel free to reach out if you have specific needs or questions, and we can discuss availability.

Payment is charged to the card on file on the morning of your scheduled session. If payment cannot be charged prior to the appointment for any reason, you will be contacted via text. If payment is not updated at that time, the appointment will be cancelled. 

I do not allow clients to carry a balance. If there are any additional services you’ve requested outside of your scheduled appointments (e.g., additional session time, add-on services, or supplemental documentation), you will be charged the fee for that service immediately following your session.

I use an established payment processor called Stripe. Payment options include credit and debit cards and HSA cards.

Stripe is HIPAA-compliant and practices payment industry security standards of encryption.

Stripe sends automatic receipts to your email address. 

All current clients must have a valid payment card on file through the Simple Practice portal or services will not be scheduled. After I accept you as a client, I will send you the link to fill out a credit card authorization form through Simple Practice’s secure portal.

If your payment is declined either because your card expired or there is no payment method on file, you will be contacted via text and your appointment may be canceled if payment is not updated in time. It is your responsibility to keep a current card on file.

The first late cancellation or missed appointment will be waived as a one-time courtesy for active clients.

Any late cancellations or no-shows thereafter will be charged 100% of your scheduled session fee.

A cancellation is considered late if you cancel less than 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment time. If you do not show up for an appointment, that’s considered a missed appointment, otherwise known as a “no-show”.

To ensure the best care for all my clients, I may need to discontinue therapy if there is a recurring pattern of late cancellations or missed appointments. Regular sessions are important for progress, and if the scheduled time isn’t working for you, I’m happy to discuss alternative times or different ways to meet. Please feel free to reach out, and we can work together to find a solution that fits your needs.

For the purposes of cancellations and no-shows, an emergency is defined as one or more of the following:

You are in the emergency room for yourself or an immediate family member.

Someone you take care of has fallen ill suddenly.

You are in a serious automobile accident.

You are in a situation that involves law enforcement or incarceration.

Death

I will send a first appointment reminder 48 hours prior to your appointment time. This gives you time to make payment arrangements or update your card if it has expired prior to the cancellation window so you do not get charged or lose the slot. I will send a second reminder 24 hours prior to your appointment time. These reminders are courtesies, and the technology may occasionally fail. Showing up for appointments is your responsibility. Failure to receive a reminder does not waive the late cancellation fee.

You will need to fill out an authorization for disclosure and release of information that is specific to third-party payors. The person or entity paying for your services will need to complete a third-party payor agreement and provide a valid photo ID. The financially responsible party will need to keep a card on file, no exceptions. These forms can be sent via the client portal upon request.

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.

Make sure your healthcare provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your healthcare provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.

If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.

Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. Save it in a secure location.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call the No Surprises Help Desk at 1-800-985-3059.

Technology and Security Questions

Yes. I have provided detailed information about the applications I use in my HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.

You can opt out of using these secure applications, but for your protection and peace of mind, I do not recommend it.

You do not need to be a tech expert, or even be comfortable with the programs I use, but you do need to be willing to use them. I am happy to spend time acclimating you to the technology. But if you are tech-resistant or using apps to communicate causes you such anxiety that you will avoid scheduling or keeping sessions, you might consider in-person sessions and save yourself the stress.

If you are not willing to create and safely store passwords and passcodes, virtual counseling is going to compromise your security and privacy. If you are not willing to spend time learning how to use the programs I use to deliver services to you, either with my guidance or on your own, virtual sessions are probably not the right fit for you.

For online therapy to work smoothly, you will need, at minimum:

A computer and/or smartphone.

A reliable internet connection.

An email address you check regularly.

A free HIPAA-secure mobile app (I will send you a link for this).

The willingness to access communications and materials online.

The willingness to either use secure sign-on methods or sign a waiver to use unsecured methods.

The willingness to remit payment online through secure applications.

With all technology, there are some limitations. Technology may occasionally fail before or during our session. Technical problems may be related to internet connection, difficulties with hardware, software, equipment, and/or services supplied by a 3rd party. Any problems with internet availability or connectivity are outside my control, so I cannot guarantee that such services will be available or work as expected. The good news is that my practice offers several methods of communication, so as long as you're willing to switch gears with me, we can find a way to keep your appointment even in the event of technical problems.

In the event that something occurs to prevent or disrupt any scheduled appointment due to technical complications and the session cannot be completed via online video, I will first attempt to use the chat feature of the video application to troubleshoot. If this feature is unavailable, I will contact you through another application to complete the session, either by phone, text, or email. It may be necessary for us to adapt and use an alternate method of communication that day, or a different format. This is one reason it is important to let me know if any of your contact information changes. Please make sure I have your current phone number(s) and email address. Please keep my contact information on hand for all scheduled appointments just in case we experience technical issues.

Any other questions?

If you have any other questions please fill out the form below and I will respond via email as quickly as possible.