FAQs

LOCATION

1137 N Main St, Suite 2, O’Fallon, MO 63366

HOURS

My office hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9 to 4pm. If you are in need of emergency/crisis services, please call 911 and or go to your nearest emergency room. Please call or text 988 to speak with a mental health professional directly. You can also utilize the 24 hour crisis line for Behavioral Health Response at 314-819-8811

For all other questions or concerns after hours, please allow up to 24 hour for my reply.

PAYMENTS

I am an out of network provider. My out-of-pocket rate is $150 per 50min session. I accept cash, check, and all major credit cards, including FSA and HAS cards as forms of payment. I also can provide reduced rate services to a limited number of clients based upon financial need. If this pertains to you, please discuss it with me prior to our first session.

INSURANCE

I am considered an out of network provider, which means I do not accept insurance. However, many insurance plans will offer out of network reimbursement depending on your individual plan. I am happy to provide a Superbill for you to submit for out of network reimbursement if it applies to you!

I would recommend asking your insurance provider if:

• Do they offer out of network reimbursement?
• If so, is there a limited number of sessions allowed? How many?
• Does the reimbursement cover telehealth appointments as well?

NO SURPRISE ACT

OMB Control Number: 0938-1401 Expiration Date: 05/31/2025 

Your Rights and Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills

When you get emergency care or are treated by an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, you are protected from balance billing. In these cases, you shouldn’t be charged more than your plan’s copayments, coinsurance and/or deductible. 

What is “balance billing” (sometimes called “surprise billing”)? 

When you see a doctor or other health care provider, you may owe certain out-of-pocket costs, like a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible. You may have additional costs or have to pay the entire bill if you see a provider or visit a health care facility that isn’t in your health plan’s network. 

“Out-of-network” means providers and facilities that haven’t signed a contract with your health plan to provide services. Out-of-network providers may be allowed to bill you for the difference between what your plan pays and the full amount charged for a service. This is called “balance billing.” This amount is likely more than in-network costs for the same service and might not count toward your plan’s deductible or annual out-of-pocket limit. 

“Surprise billing” is an unexpected balance bill. This can happen when you can’t control who is involved in your care—like when you have an emergency or when you schedule a visit at an in-network facility but are unexpectedly treated by an out-of-network provider. Surprise medical bills could cost thousands of dollars depending on the procedure or service. 

You’re protected from balance billing for: 

Emergency services 

If you have an emergency medical condition and get emergency services from an out-of-network provider or facility, the most they can bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount (such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles). You can’t be balance billed for these emergency services. This includes services you may get after you’re in stable condition, unless you give written consent and give up your protections not to be balanced billed for these post-stabilization services. 

Certain services at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center 

When you get services from an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, certain providers there may be out-of-network. In these cases, the most those providers can bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount. This applies to emergency medicine, anesthesia, pathology, radiology, laboratory, neonatology, assistant surgeon, hospitalist, or intensivist services. These providers can’t balance bill you and may not ask you to give up your protections not to be balance billed. 

If you get other types of services at these in-network facilities, out-of-network providers can’t balance bill you, unless you give written consent and give up your protections.

You’re never required to give up your protections from balance billing. You also aren’t required to get out-of-network care. You can choose a provider or facility in your plan’s network. 

When balance billing isn’t allowed, you also have these protections: 

• You’re only responsible for paying your share of the cost (like the copayments, coinsurance, and deductible that you would pay if the provider or facility was in-network). Your health plan will pay any additional costs to out-of-network providers and facilities directly. 
• Generally, your health plan must: 
  • Cover emergency services without requiring you to get approval for services in advance (also known as “prior authorization”). 
  • Cover emergency services by out-of-network providers. 
  • Base what you owe the provider or facility (cost-sharing) on what it would pay an in-network provider or facility and show that amount in your explanation of benefits.
  • Count any amount you pay for emergency services or out-of-network services toward your in-network deductible and out-of-pocket limit. 

If you think you’ve been wrongly billed, contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at (800) 368-1019. The federal phone number for information and complaints is: 1-800-985-3059. 

Visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers for more information about your rights under federal law.

CANCELLATION POLICY

I ask if you need to cancel your appointment, that you notify me of the cancellation at least 24 hours beforehand. Otherwise, you may be charged for the full rate of the session.

HOW DO I KNOW IF COUNSELING IS RIGHT FOR ME

I believe that counseling can be a healthy and effective support for every person. If you are feeling like you are having difficulty coping with stressors, life transitions, or something from your past; if you are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed; if you are noticing more tension if the relationships around you; or if you are feeling that it is difficult for you to communicate your feelings and needs, you might benefit from counseling and having a safe, private space to process what is going on.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING MY FIRST APPOINTMENT

Prior to the first session, you will be asked to complete an intake packet that allows you to briefly explain your hopes and needs for counseling. The first session is a great opportunity to feel out if I am a good fit for your needs. During the first session, we will go over any questions you have about my experience and the counseling process, discuss your main concerns, along with your hopes for counseling. Together, we will then collaborate on a potential plan of healing for your counseling journey.

HOW LONG DO I NEED TO BE IN THERAPY

One of the beautiful things about the counseling setting is that it is tailored to the individual client and their needs. It is not uncommon for appointments to fluctuate from weekly, to biweekly, to monthly. Some clients will close out counseling services after meeting their goals and then choose to return with new goals in mind. There is no deadline that I can say someone will be “finished” with therapy. When working towards goals, evaluations of frequency and need of session are absolutely a part of our conversations. This discussion about the length of treatment can take place at any time!