Questions About Therapy
How do I become a client?
Ready to get started? Start by scheduling an initial consultation Here: https://kayleenicolecounseling.clientsecure.me/request/service
Client portal access: After your initial appointment is booked, you’ll receive an email with access to your secure client portal.
Paperless paperwork: The portal provides a simple and efficient way to complete your required paperwork online.
Before your first appointment: Please ensure all required paperwork is completed before your initial appointment.
How do I pay for therapy?
Payment Policy
Payment is due at the time of rendering services, either immediately before or after the therapy session. Acceptable forms of payment include Cash, Check, Credit or Debit, or online via Client Portal.
Fees for services vary depending on the type of counseling service, length of service, and contracted rates with insurance.
Reduced fees (i.e., sliding scale) services are available upon request and are based on availability and verified need.
I am currently able to work with several health insurance companies as an in-network or out-of-network mental health provider. Services may be covered in full or in part by your health insurance.
Do you accept my insurance?
Insurance plans currently accepted:
Blue Cross
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Mountain Health Co-Op
St. Luke’s Health Plan
Select Health
PacificSource
St. Alphonsos Health Alliance
First Choice Health Network
Understanding your benefits: Insurance plans and mental health benefits can vary significantly. I encourage you to contact your insurance provider directly to confirm your coverage.
Insurance reimbursement: I cannot predict or guarantee how much, if any, your insurance company will reimburse.
Your responsibility: You are responsible for any remaining balance not covered by your insurance plan.
Mental health diagnosis: Please be aware that most insurance companies require a clinical mental health diagnosis for services to be eligible for coverage.
Good Faith Estimate Notice
Under the “No Surprises Act,” health care providers must provide uninsured or self-pay patients, upon request, a “Good Faith Estimate” of the total expected charges for non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You may ask your provider for this estimate before you schedule a service and have the right to file a dispute of charges if you receive a bill $400+ above the estimate, so long as the dispute is filed within 120 days of the disputed invoice. Make sure to save a copy of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, talk with your counselor and/or visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule?
Respecting your therapy time: Your time in therapy is valuable, and I understand that unexpected changes can sometimes happen.
Cancellations and rescheduling: If you need to cancel or reschedule, please contact me by 7:00 a.m. on the day of your appointment.
Late cancellations/no-shows: Cancellations or rescheduling requests made after 7:00 a.m. will result in a $100 session fee.
Insurance coverage: Health insurance plans do not cover missed appointments. The full fee will be your responsibility and must be paid before your next scheduled appointment.
Running late: If you are going to be late, please let me know as soon as possible.
15-minute grace period: If I have not heard from you within the first 15 minutes of your scheduled session, I will consider the appointment a no-show.
No-show fee: A no-show will result in the session being forfeited and the $100 session rate being charged.
Our Initial Session (Intake)
Our first session will look a little different from future sessions. The goal of the intake is to begin getting to know you and understand your history, current concerns, and what you hope to gain from counseling.
During the intake, we will:
Discuss your history, current concerns, and the challenges you are experiencing.
Explore what brings you to counseling and what you hope to accomplish through our work together.
Review relevant information and complete any documentation required by your insurance company.
Discuss the therapeutic process and what you can expect from counseling.
Review consent forms and other important documents.
Answer any questions you may have about counseling or our work together.
Give you space to begin sharing your story while I take notes to develop a thorough understanding of your needs.
Intake for Adolescents and Teens
For adolescents and teens, the intake process will begin with a session involving the parent(s) and/or guardian(s) before my first individual session with your child.
This initial meeting will focus on:
Gathering important background and developmental information.
Understanding your concerns and your hopes for counseling.
Discussing your child's current needs and areas of support.
Reviewing the therapeutic process, expectations, and consent.
Beginning to establish a collaborative relationship so we can best support your child.
My goal is to create a safe, supportive environment where your child can develop trust and feel comfortable engaging in the therapeutic process.
The Therapeutic Process
The Journey
Following the intake, we will begin the therapeutic process by identifying goals and developing a treatment plan. This is a collaborative process centered on your individual needs, experiences, and hopes for counseling.
Throughout our work together, we will:
Identify and work toward meaningful, individualized goals.
Build a strong therapeutic relationship grounded in trust, safety, and authenticity.
Create a supportive environment where you have space to explore your inner world.
Develop greater self-awareness and practice radical acceptance.
Explore different trauma-focused therapeutic modalities to support growth and meaningful change.
Regularly assess your progress and adjust our approach as your needs evolve.
Work together to create a therapeutic experience that feels authentic, supportive, and centered on your healing journey.
Ending Therapy
The work we do together is ultimately intended to help you feel prepared to continue moving forward without the ongoing support of counseling. When that time comes, we will work together toward graduating from therapy.
Ending therapy is an important part of the therapeutic process. Moving forward from a therapeutic relationship can feel both exciting and challenging. The relationship we build in counseling is rooted in connection, trust, and support, so it is natural for the ending to bring a range of emotions.
As we prepare for the end of therapy, we will:
Celebrate the progress and growth you have made.
Reflect on the work we have accomplished together.
Identify the skills, strengths, and tools you can continue using beyond therapy.
Make space to process and grieve the ending of our therapeutic relationship.
Prepare for a healthy and intentional goodbye.
Develop a plan for maintaining your progress and accessing additional support if needed.
Graduating from counseling is an opportunity to recognize the meaningful work you have done and the growth you have achieved. My hope is that you leave therapy feeling empowered, supported, and confident in continuing your journey forward.