Finding a therapist and making an appointment can be intimidating and exhausting. My goal is to make this process as easy, and straight forward as possible. Reaching out for counseling for your teen is hard. It takes a ton of courage to get to the point of the initial phone call. I want to make sure that once you do, you feel heard and understood, and have a clear idea of the process. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about counseling for your teen, or would like to schedule a free phone call. I am here to help.
Common questions about teen counseling in Charlotte
questions about starting therapy
Do you offer a free consultation?
Yes! I absolutely believe it is an integral first step of the process. I prefer to call them "clarity calls" because my hope is to provide you with a clear understanding of my process and answer any questions you have about counseling for your teen. If you prefer an initial meeting in person, we can definitely set that up for a small fee.
Do you take insurance?
Yes! I currently am in network with Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina.
As an out-of-network provider, I have partnered with Mentaya to help my clients save money on therapy. Use this tool below to see if you qualify for reimbursement for my services.
As an out-of-network provider, I have partnered with Mentaya to help my clients save money on therapy. Use this tool below to see if you qualify for reimbursement for my services.
What are the benefits of being "self-pay"
Freedom to make decisions regarding your treatment
Insurance companies often dictate which providers you are able to see, which limits your options when choosing a counselor for your teen. When you use insurance, the insurance company gets to decide how you will be treated. The clinician will be required to submit a treatment plan and the number of sessions you "need" will be decided by someone who has never met you. This also gives the freedom to see a mental health professional without being diagnosed with a disorder.
Your permanent medical record is not impacted
Insurance companies only pay for services they consider "medically necessary." This means individuals must be diagnosed with a condition, and the clinician must prove it is having a negative impact on your functioning. Your teens diagnosis and treatment will then become part of their permanent medical record, which can then impact their future. There are certain careers, colleges, and other privileges that can be impacted by a mental health diagnosis. I do not want counseling for your teen to negatively impact their future because an insurance company needs a diagnosis to pay for treatment.
DISCLAIMER - I do not agree with this. I hope one day we live in a world without stigma associated with mental health, and where mental health can be seen as preventative maintenance by your insurance provider, like a physical, but unfortunately, we are not there yet.
Your information remains confidential
When your insurance is billed for psychotherapy, they require A TON of information about you and your treatment. They are allowed to ask for any of the information your therapist has on you, including notes taken during the session. It has been argued that your personal healthcare information will pass through about 14-20 people at the company while it is being processed.
Insurance companies often dictate which providers you are able to see, which limits your options when choosing a counselor for your teen. When you use insurance, the insurance company gets to decide how you will be treated. The clinician will be required to submit a treatment plan and the number of sessions you "need" will be decided by someone who has never met you. This also gives the freedom to see a mental health professional without being diagnosed with a disorder.
Your permanent medical record is not impacted
Insurance companies only pay for services they consider "medically necessary." This means individuals must be diagnosed with a condition, and the clinician must prove it is having a negative impact on your functioning. Your teens diagnosis and treatment will then become part of their permanent medical record, which can then impact their future. There are certain careers, colleges, and other privileges that can be impacted by a mental health diagnosis. I do not want counseling for your teen to negatively impact their future because an insurance company needs a diagnosis to pay for treatment.
DISCLAIMER - I do not agree with this. I hope one day we live in a world without stigma associated with mental health, and where mental health can be seen as preventative maintenance by your insurance provider, like a physical, but unfortunately, we are not there yet.
Your information remains confidential
When your insurance is billed for psychotherapy, they require A TON of information about you and your treatment. They are allowed to ask for any of the information your therapist has on you, including notes taken during the session. It has been argued that your personal healthcare information will pass through about 14-20 people at the company while it is being processed.
What are your fees?
Initial phone consultation (15 minutes) - $0
In office session (50 minutes) - $150
Walk & Talk session (50-60 minutes) - $150
30 minute parent consultation (in office or phone call) - $75
In office session (50 minutes) - $150
Walk & Talk session (50-60 minutes) - $150
30 minute parent consultation (in office or phone call) - $75
Where are you located?
I am conveniently located at 1724 East Blvd., Suite 202, Charlotte, NC, 28203. Located at the corner of East & Asheville.
I share a building with Scarnecchia Chiropractic & Wellness, they have a sign you can see from the street.
We have a parking lot in the back of our building, if you turn onto Asheville, you will see it.
My office is located on the second floor. If this is a problem due to injury or limited mobility, please let me know and we can find more accessible space.
I share a building with Scarnecchia Chiropractic & Wellness, they have a sign you can see from the street.
We have a parking lot in the back of our building, if you turn onto Asheville, you will see it.
My office is located on the second floor. If this is a problem due to injury or limited mobility, please let me know and we can find more accessible space.
Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?
Yes! I know that life is hectic and school and sports are a big time commitment and priority. I have evening appointments and Saturday appointments to help accommodate.
My teen is just stressed and overwhelmed, do they need therapy?
That is completely up to you!
A few questions to ask :
Are they coping with the stress well?
Is the stress impacting other areas of their lives?
Are you afraid it is going to get worse?
I work with teens to develop coping skills, organizational strategies, and time management plans to confidently manage the stress of their daily life. Therapy can absolutely help your teen deal with stress, and can assist them in developing positive coping mechanisms that can benefit them throughout their life.
A few questions to ask :
Are they coping with the stress well?
Is the stress impacting other areas of their lives?
Are you afraid it is going to get worse?
I work with teens to develop coping skills, organizational strategies, and time management plans to confidently manage the stress of their daily life. Therapy can absolutely help your teen deal with stress, and can assist them in developing positive coping mechanisms that can benefit them throughout their life.
How long does therapy last?
Therapy is so personal and different for everyone, which makes answering this question tough. I do ask that you commit to 6 weeks of weekly sessions. This allows my client and I to get to know each other and build the therapeutic relationship that is so important to successful therapy. I give feedback often about where I think we are in the process, and check in each session to see where you think you are towards reaching your goals. I want to help you solve your problems so that you can go on with your life – on your terms. Many of my clients come to therapy with an idea of what they want to work on, and we establish goals together at their pace. Other clients will sometimes need more time to figure out what they’re looking for and begin to feel better over time.
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