Frequently Asked Questions

What sets our practice apart is the depth of expertise, the quality of our team, and the truly integrated approach we offer.

Our practice is led by a doctoral-level psychologist with three master’s degrees—in Counseling Psychology, Business, and Clinical Psychopharmacology—as well as a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Certification. This rare combination of advanced clinical training, mind-body expertise, and knowledge of both the healthcare and business landscapes allows us to approach mental health with a level of insight and strategy that’s both deep and holistic.

We take a collaborative, team-based approach to care. All of our clinicians were personally trained and mentored by our founder, meaning they’ve been through a highly selective vetting process and are held to the highest standards. Our founder continues to supervise the team, ensuring consistency, clinical excellence, and a shared vision of client-centered care.

Our practice also offers psychological testing when needed, which allows us to clarify complex or overlapping symptoms and tailor a focused treatment plan. Additionally, with our psychologist’s training in psychopharmacology, we’re able to offer informed guidance on  medication and collaborate with your primary care provider to ensure your treatment—both therapeutic and medical—is cohesive and appropriate. We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Every client receives personalized care rooted in
evidence, compassion, and whole-person wellness.

Are your online forms HIPAA compliant?

We offer two different ways to contact our practice, and it’s important to understand the difference.

Our appointment request and client portal access are managed through Simple Practice, a HIPAA-compliant electronic health record system. Information submitted through Simple Practice is protected in accordance with HIPAA privacy and security standards.

We also have a general “Contact Us” form on our website. This form is not HIPAA compliant and is intended only for general, non-clinical questions (such as services offered, scheduling logistics, or practice information). Please do not include sensitive or personal health information in this form.

Submitting a message through the general contact form does not establish a therapeutic relationship.

What information should I include when contacting your practice online?

For appointment requests or communication involving personal health information, please use our Simple Practice scheduling and client portal, which is HIPAA compliant. That can be accessed by clicking the “Request Appointment” tab on our website. 

For general inquiries, you may use the website contact form; however, we ask that you limit information to basic contact details and non-clinical questions only.

Is email or the website monitored for urgent concerns?

No. Our website, contact forms, and email are not monitored continuously and should not be used for emergencies or urgent mental health concerns.

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in immediate danger, please call 911 or contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

How does Authentic Perspectives protect my privacy?

Authentic Perspectives Psychological & Consulting Services takes privacy seriously. Protected health information is collected, stored, and managed through HIPAA-compliant systems once a client relationship is established. Reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards are used to protect client information in accordance with applicable privacy laws.

Where can I find your Notice of Privacy Practices?

Our Notice of Privacy Practices explains how we use and protect protected health information and outlines your rights under HIPAA. It is provided to all clients at intake and is available upon request.

To request a copy, please contact our office directly.

You can click on any button that says “Join Our Newsletter” or just click the link below. It will open a separate webpage for you to fill out your information. We can’t wait to hear from you!

https://forms.gle/228xsoH6rpdVfU7s5

Please be aware of the following policies regarding attendance, cancellations, and financial responsibility:

• Insurance & Estimated Costs: Any co-pay, co-insurance, or deductible amount discussed prior to your session is only an estimate based on available information at the time of scheduling. The final cost of your session is determined once your insurance processes the claim. You are financially responsible for any portion of the session not covered by your insurance plan, including differences between estimated and actual costs. We encourage you to contact your insurance provider directly with any coverage questions.

• Cancellations & No Shows: You must notify our office at least 48 hours in advance if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Cancellations or rescheduling requests made less than 48 hours before your appointment—or failure to attend your appointment—will be considered a no-show, and you will be responsible for the full session fee. Insurance does not cover no-show or late cancellation fees.

• New Clients: Clients seeking to establish care who do not cancel or reschedule their initial appointment with at least 48 hours’ notice will be considered no-shows. A second missed initial appointment will result in denial of entry to the Practice.

• Established Clients: After three no-show appointments, a client may be discharged from the Practice and referred elsewhere for continued care.

These policies are in place to help us provide timely and consistent access to services for all clients. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Your insurance carrier’s phone number is on the back of your insurance card. Here are some helpful questions to ask when you call: 

• Do I have coverage for mental health services?

• Do I have a deductible? If so, how much is it, and have I met it yet?

• Do I have a co-pay for in-office mental health visits?

• Is there a limit to how many sessions I can have each year?

• Is my mental health coverage managed by a different company (a “carve-out”)?
  If your plan uses a separate company for mental health, and we’re not in-network with that company, your insurance may not cover your visits with us. This is sometimes listed on your insurance card, so double-check when you call.

Tips:

• Most insurance plans reset on January 1st. This means your deductible and out-of-pocket costs start over at that time, which can affect what you pay for sessions.

• When scheduling your first appointment, please have your insurance card ready. We’ll ask for the name of your insurance and your member ID so we can check your benefits as a courtesy.

Insurance & Co-Pay Disclaimer: Please note that any co-pay, co-insurance, or deductible amount provided is only an estimate based on the information available at the time of scheduling. The final cost of your session will be determined once your insurance processes the claim. You are financially responsible for any portion of the session not covered by your insurance, including any differences between estimated and actual costs. We recommend contacting your insurance provider directly if you have questions about your coverage.

We use SimplePractice Software, which enables us to be eco-friendly in that we are as paperless as possible. We will collect your email address when you schedule your first appointment, and you will be given access to our secure, mobile friendly Client Portal where all paperwork can be completed prior to your first visit. You will be able to upload your insurance card, electronically sign intake paperwork, and complete assessments to help us understand what brings you into therapy. The Client Portal will also allow you to send secure messages to your provider.

• If you don’t see the email to the Client Portal right away, check your junk folder.
• If you encounter any difficulties with the Client Portal, no worries, we understand
  technology can be tricky. Simply give us a call at 878-884-7158, and we are happy to
  navigate you through the process.
• For clients who prefer not to use the electronic portal, we are happy to accommodate
  you. Just let us know and paper forms can be provided in the office for signature during
  the first visit, and we can make copies of your insurance card at that time.

The first session will be conducted differently than subsequent therapy visits. It is important to understand that psychotherapy often requires follow up visits, and solutions or skills training are not typically provided during the initial session.

• During the first session, be expected to be asked what brought you into therapy, how your symptoms are affecting your day-to-day functioning, and what you hope to gain as a result of psychotherapy. A family, social, educational, medical, and psychiatric history will also be gathered. Your therapist will lead the session by asking questions, so if you aren’t sure what to say, we will guide the process.
• Your therapist will also orient you to the therapeutic process by reviewing policies,  limits to confidentiality, and their treatment approach. Goals and a treatment plan will be  discussed towards the end of the initial session.
• You should plan to be at the initial visit for 55-60 minutes.
• Subsequent therapy visits last from 45-50 minutes in duration.
• The frequency of follow up appointments is determined on a case-by-case basis; however, the ultimate goal is to create sustainable change so that therapy sessions can be discontinued. 

To get the most out of therapy, it is important to approach the process with openness, honesty, and a genuine willingness to grow. Therapy is not something that is done to you—it’s a collaborative relationship between you and your therapist, and your active participation plays a key role in how effective it will be.

Growth often begins with being open to exploring new perspectives, accepting constructive feedback, and reflecting on patterns that may be difficult to face. Sustainable change doesn’t happen overnight—it requires commitment both in and outside of the therapy room. That means taking time to reflect between sessions, applying what you’ve explored in real-life situations, and engaging with any homework or reading your therapist recommends. These tools help deepen the
work and reinforce new insights and skills.

Therapy is most powerful when you show up authentically, share honestly, and are willing to lean into the discomfort that sometimes comes with change. Your therapist is here to support and guide you, but it’s the work you do together—and the effort you bring between sessions—that truly shapes your growth.

Psychological testing can be an incredibly valuable tool in understanding what’s really going on beneath the surface when symptoms are complex, overlapping, or unclear. While therapy sessions provide important insights, formal psychological assessments offer objective data that can help clarify a diagnosis and guide treatment more effectively.

Through a combination of standardized tests, questionnaires, and clinical interviews, psychological testing evaluates a wide range of areas including mood, personality, cognitive functioning, memory, attention, and more. This comprehensive view allows us to differentiate between conditions that may look similar on the outside—like distinguishing between ADHD and anxiety, or depression and trauma-related disorders. Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective care. When we understand the full picture of how your brain is functioning, how you are processing emotions, and how your unique strengths and challenges show up in daily life, we can tailor treatment strategies that truly fit.

Psychological testing can also provide helpful documentation for accommodations at school or work, and can support collaboration with medical providers if medication is being considered. In short, psychological testing removes much of the guesswork, helping us move from uncertainty to clarity—so you can move forward with confidence in your treatment plan.