FAQ

Q: How much do art therapy sessions cost?

A:  Art therapy sessions are offered on a sliding scale ranging from $100 - $200.

I offer this range in hopes that those who can pay more (if you have more financial resources and/or less financial demands) will do so. Those paying $150 and up cover the difference for those paying rates below $150.

If you would like to work together and are unable to afford the current sliding scale let me know. I will accommodate as I am able.

Q: What is the difference between “talk therapy” and “art therapy”?

A: My short answer is that typically art therapy includes art and talk therapy doesn’t. My medium answer is that I don’t approach them differently. I aim to co-create sessions that include what you find most helpful - whether that includes art making or not. I also think that art therapy can look just like “talk therapy” while including approaches that are typically used in art therapy.

If you are interested in working together but are unsure about art therapy - or if you were looking for “talk therapy” or psychotherapy services and found yourself here, I encourage you to reach out. We can discuss ways to create sessions that reflect what you are looking for in therapy.

I’m always happy to talk more about this (and get into my long answer!) and answer any questions you may have.

Q: Can I use my health insurance to pay for sessions?

A: My services are self-pay (also called “out of pocket”). Since I do not work for insurance companies you would pay your session rate at the time of your appointment. (We will identify your session rate and set up your preferred payment method during your initial appointment so you don’t have to loose time each session providing payment information.)

I am considered an “out-of-network provider” by insurance companies. If your plan includes “out-of-network benefits” you may be able to receive partial reimbursement from your insurance company. Please confirm this with your insurance provider. The following link offers a “Step-by-Step Guide to Out-of-Network Benefits”.

Please note that insurance companies require you to have a mental health diagnosis in order to access therapy. I believe your access to health care should not be based on your diagnosis status. Insurance companies may impact who you work with (who is included in-network), duration of services, and treatment modality and/or requirements. Your diagnosis would become part of your medical record held by your insurance company and may impact future coverage and/or rates, allow the insurance company access to your records (impacting your right to consent to who accesses your health information), and may impact future job and/or educational eligibility or resource access.

Q: Can you diagnose me?

A: I do not provide mental health diagnoses. If you are interested in being assessed and receiving a mental health diagnosis I will support you in identifying resources and/or referrals who provide that service. We can discuss any aspect of diagnoses/diagnosing at any time while working together.

Q: Can I pay for sessions through my HSA (Health Spending Account) or my FSA (Flexible Spending Account)?

A: The IRS requires “mental health therapy” to be “medically necessary” which (to the IRS) requires you to have a mental health diagnosis in order to use your FSA or HSA for payment (or reimbursement) of therapy services. It is possible to submit a “Letter of Medical Necessity” and request coverage, though approval is not guaranteed.

Q: How do I start working with you?

A: We will start with a free phone consultation. Head over to the Getting Started page to for an overview of the next steps and to schedule your call.

Q: Do you offer in-person therapy?

A: Not at this time. I am currently offering telehealth (video) sessions only. If this changes I will share the updated information about in-person appointments here and with the folks I’m working with.

Q: How do I attend tele-health sessions?

A: Telehealth (online) sessions are held through SimplePractice. SimplePractice is a HIPAA compliant and HITRUST CFS certified (meets HIPAA, security, privacy standards) software.

You will receive a confirmation email (for each appointment) including a "Join your Video Appointment" link. This will connect you to your session in a new tab in your web browser or in the "Telehealth by SimplePractice" mobile app depending on the device you're using (and if you choose to download the mobile app). You will need to enter your name before joining the video call. Each link is unique and will expire 30 minutes after the end of each appointment. You may also join by logging into the client portal and clicking "join video" next to your appointment info.

Q: Will I have to make art every session? 

A: Nope! Art making can be used as often as it feels helpful or wanted. Using art as part of therapy can take place in sessions or outside of sessions - or not at all. Also! (And maybe most importantly!) You don’t “have to” do anything you don’t want to do in your sessions.

Q: Are you analyzing me through my artwork? 

A: No. That is not my role as an art therapist. Just as I am not here to make judgments or assumptions about who you are as a person, I am also not here to make judgements or assumptions about you through any artwork you create.

Q: Do I need to have art supplies? 

A: No materials are needed for art therapy sessions. If you’re interested in creating art during sessions or outside of sessions (as part of therapy) we will work with what is available.