Frequently Asked Questions
I’m nervous about starting therapy. Is that normal?
It’s totally normal to be nervous about starting therapy. It can be difficult to imagine the words around what you are feeling. Maybe you've experienced feeling tongue tied when trying to open up to friends or loved ones in the past. The fear around that can feel overwhelming. It takes courage to start going to therapy. The fact that you are on this website, looking for help, and reading this right now shows that you are already stepping in the right direction.
Therapy is a space where you can be yourself and bring all of the feelings you may have into session, including feeling nervous. I’m committed to finding a way to care for your nervousness and ensure sessions are as comfortable as possible.
I’m here if you want to talk about it during a free phone consultation.
How do I know if you are the right therapist for me?
Take your time to read through my website. If you sense that I may be a good fit based on what you are reading, you can email me.
During a free phone consultation, you can ask me about how I have helped other people like you before, what a typical session with me is like, or any other questions you may have that are specific-to-you. You’ll also be able to share what’s going on for you and we can decide together how I can help.
It may be helpful to think of the first few sessions as trying out the waters together. During the sessions, you’ll be able to see how you feel working with me. My approach is not going to work for everyone. What’s most important to me is that you find someone who you feel is the right fit for you. We can explore that together.
What if I don't want to talk about something?
If something feels overwhelming or even terrifying to discuss, that's actually very normal. It can often feel difficult to talk about some things. During our sessions, it will always be up to you if you feel ready to talk about something or not. It’s my job to give you space to slowly start to work through the tough stuff. Gradually and at a pace that feels comfortable to you, you can share what you feel ready to share.
You can also share with me that you are nervous to open up about something and we can talk about that too. Whatever is present for you. Whatever you are going through. Bring that to session and we can explore that together.
I’m scared that if I open up, you will think I’m a bad person.
If you open up to me, I will not think you are a bad person, I will think you are someone who went through a lot. Many of my clients have had the same fear. Through my own life journey and working with my clients, I know how ‘normal’ your experience is. You have nothing to be ashamed about. Nothing you can say will cause me to judge you. I know many of us are overwhelmed. We may have gone through very hard times, and we may have normal reactions to abnormally challenging experiences.
Whatever it is you're going through, I provide a safe space where you can feel heard and supported without judgement
Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?
You may be concerned that your friends, family, or work colleagues could learn what you have said during therapy. So I want you to know that unless you are in danger or someone else is, your story is confidential and your time in the session is protected.
I highly respect your privacy and value your trust.
You can rest assured that you can talk about anything without fear of that information getting out.
If you have specific questions about how confidentiality works, you can ask during your free phone consultation or anytime during our work together.
How long will therapy take?
You might be asking about how long therapy will take because you are currently struggling and want relief fast.
If this is true for you, I want you to know that on average, my new clients start seeing small amounts of growth after the first 3-5 sessions.
By that point, they feel like they have learned some ways to manage challenging stuff in their lives a bit better.
The total duration of therapy varies from client to client. Some of my clients find 8-16 weeks to be enough to resolve immediate challenges. While other clients feel more supported by longer term therapy.
We will work together to find the length of time that works for you.
What can I expect during the first session?
Overall, you can think of the first session as a free-flowing conversation through which we start getting to know each other. I’ll invite you to share more about yourself and we can also talk about what’s worked or not worked for your mental health in the past.
Some questions that I like to ask during a first session include:
What brought you to therapy?
Have you gone to therapy before? How did that go?
What do I need to know about you to understand your current challenges?
You can ask me questions as well. You might be curious about my experience or how future sessions work.
The most important part of a first session is to notice how you feel during and after the session. If you feel safe, accepted, and comfortable with me, we can discuss if you’d like to meet again.
How can I get started?
I'm here to talk during a free phone consultation where you can share what’s going on for you and we can decide together how I can help.
To get your free phone consultation email me at timmy@nurturedgrowthcounseling.org
Or call me at 720-515-9676.
I will respond to you within 24-48 hours to set up the free consultation.
What are the service fees?
$120.00 per 60 minute session for individual therapy
$175.00 per 60 minute session and $260.00 per 90 minute session for relationship therapy
Do you take insurance?
I am not in network with any insurance providers at this time. I can provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurance company for out-of-network reimbursement. I encourage you to call your insurance provider and ask the following:
Do I have out-of-network benefits?
Is there a deductible that must be met before receiving benefits for out-of-network mental health services?
Once I meet my deductible, what are my benefits for out-of-network mental health services? If they ask for a procedure code, it's 90837.
Are there any limits to reimbursement? For example, a maximum amount reimbursed per session, or a limit on the number of sessions allowed.
What is the No Surprise Act and Good Faith Estimate?
What is it?
This came into being because of people who went to the hospital and were suddenly given a huge bill because a surgeon or other medical professional was not in someone’s insurance coverage and it came as a surprise. It targeted a practice known as balance billing, where a provider that is not in-network with a patient’s insurance plan would charge the patient the difference between the provider’s cash-pay rate and any payments from the patient’s insurer.
Unfortunately, when making the bill the lawmakers did not think to separate the types of medical expenses and thus the bill makes no sense to psychotherapy and private practice practitioners.
What does it mean in Psychotherapy?
There are generally no surprises in Psychotherapy as to cost. Of course you should expect to know my hourly fee. Which at present is $120.00 per 60 minute session for individual therapy and $175.00 per 60 minute session and $260.00 per 90 minute session for relationship therapy. For clients who qualify for a reduced fee amount, the agreed upon terms will be included in an additional fee agreement. If any fee changes are made in my practice, then you, the client(s), will be notified of these changes and how they may impact you within 90 days before they take effect.
Individuals generally meet for one hour sessions. Couples begin meeting for 90 minute sessions for anywhere from 1 – 8 sessions. Depending on the severity of the problem longer sessions can be requested and will be prorated at the same agreed upon hourly rate.
Cancellation fee: Since I have reserved your appointment time exclusively for you, it is my policy to receive at least a 24-hour cancellation notice or you will be charged for the appointment. I will negotiate exceptions for emergencies such as severe weather or sudden illness on an individual, per time basis.
What I can reasonably, responsibly and ethically tell you in a good faith estimate?
It would be unreasonable, irresponsible, and unethical for me to give you a diagnosis before I have ever talked with you. This is something the bill calls for. Additionally, you may not need a diagnosis – something that could follow you for the rest of your life.
Also, depending on the severity of your issue, your trauma history, and what is happening to you at the time of therapy, the length of treatment can vary significantly. Not to mention the fact that often clients come for a while, feel better, come back for transitions or issues that arise even years later.
An added component to how long therapy might take depends on the frequency of visits and your ability to pay for weekly or biweekly sessions, the amount of practice and work you put into your therapy, and the circumstances that may be interfering in your life at the moment.
At any time, you can request we evaluate your therapy progress and what issues still need to be addressed. Additionally, I will check in periodically to ensure we are on track and the therapy is working for you. If you choose to have a Good Faith Estimate I will provide one for three months at a time.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call the Colorado Division of Insurance at 303-894-7490 or 1-800-930-3745.