Counseling is a professional relationship that provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals, couples, or families to explore their emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. The goal of counseling is to help you gain a better understanding of yourself, cope with challenges, and create positive changes in your life. Whether you're dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, loss, or other concerns, counseling offers tools and insights to help you thrive.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by stress, emotions, or challenges in your personal life, counseling might be a good fit. It’s normal to seek help when you're going through tough times, struggling with mental health concerns, or just need support during a life transition. Even if you're not sure what exactly you're going through, working with a counselor can help you gain clarity and direction.

Click here, call, or email me. Once you reach out, we will schedule a fifteen-minute complementary phone consultation. During the consultation, I hope to learn what's bringing you to counseling and answer any of your questions. Following our conversation, if Vathos Counseling is appropriate for your needs and we mutually believe we are a good fit, we will find a day and time to book an initial appointment. I will then send you electronic paperwork to be completed before our first meeting.

Your first session is a chance for us to get to know each other. We’ll review your intake paperwork, goals for counseling, and explore any challenges or concerns you may be facing. It’s also an opportunity to discuss confidentiality, the counseling process, and how we can best work together. You’ll have space to ask any questions and share what’s important to you. The goal is to make you feel comfortable and understood. This initial session will be 60 minutes to provide adequate time for intake and assessment. Each subsequent session will be 50 minutes.

The fee for both 60-minute initial sessions and 50-minute follow-up sessions is $120 at this time.

The frequency of sessions typically depends on your personal goals and the challenges you’re working through. For many clients, weekly sessions are a great way to build momentum and make steady progress. However, some people may benefit from bi-weekly or monthly sessions as they move through different stages of their counseling journey. We'll work with you to determine a schedule that makes sense for your needs.

The length of counseling varies for each person. Some individuals may find relief after just a few sessions, while others may work with a counselor for several months or longer. We’ll check in together periodically to assess progress, adjust goals, and decide if continued counseling is right for you. Our approach is flexible, and we are committed to helping you reach your desired outcomes.

I do not currently accept insurance. However, many insurance plans provide out of network mental health coverage. For clients that wish to use their insurance and have out of network coverage, I can provide statements that can be submitted to insurance companies for partial reimbursement.

If you are unsure if you have out-of-network benefits, I recommend calling your insurance company directly. Important questions to ask are:

"What are my mental health benefits?"

"What is my deductible?”

“What is my out-of-pocket max?"

"Do you cover session code 90834?"

*Filing a claim is the client’s responsibility & insurance reimbursements are subject to your individual plan and benefits

Yes, per the No Surprises Act (see below), you have the right to an estimate explaining how much your mental health care will cost. You will be provided a Good Faith Estimate when you sign up for services and any other time you request one, including before signing up for services. We recommend at least 3 sessions, the average number of sessions at Váthos Counseling is 12, and the exact number you will need depends on your individual circumstances, needs, and personal preferences.

“Right to Receive a Good Faith Estimate of Expected Charges” Under the No Surprises Act

Instructions Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, health care providers and health care facilities are required to inform individuals who are not enrolled in a plan or coverage or a Federal health care program, or not seeking to file a claim with their plan or coverage both orally and in writing of their ability, upon request or at the time of scheduling health care items and services, to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” of expected charges.

• 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 expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.

• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.

• You can ask your healthcare provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a 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.
  

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

Once you have had an initial appointment, I recommend at least bi-weekly sessions to start to obtain the full benefit of therapeutic momentum. It can be helpful to have a standing appointment day, and time, scheduled in advance. However, appointments can also be made at the end of each session or by using our online booking system. We will accommodate your schedule to the best of our ability.

We understand that life happens, but we do ask for a 24-hour notice if you need to cancel or reschedule a session. If you cancel within 24 hours or miss an appointment without notice, you will be responsible for the entire session fee of $100. We value your time and want to make sure we can serve other clients who may need appointments too.

Sickness and emergencies will be exempted at my discretion. I will contact you before charging your card.

Confidentiality is one of the cornerstones of the counseling process. What you discuss in your sessions is private and protected by law and will be held in the strictest confidence, unless your written consent has been given for me to share information with a third party.

The exceptions to this policy include risk of harm to yourself or others, instances of unreported child or elder abuse, or instances of a court order. At the start of counseling, we’ll review confidentiality policies in detail so you can feel safe and informed.