Frequently Asked Questions

I offer a complimentary 30-minute consultation to discuss what brings you to therapy, answer your questions, and explore whether working together feels like a good fit. You can request a consultation through my secure client portal or reach out through my contact page. If we decide to proceed, we'll schedule a holistic intake session and I'll share the paperwork to complete before we meet.

We'll talk briefly about what you're looking for in therapy, any immediate concerns, and the kinds of support that may be helpful. I'll explain how I work and answer questions about my approach, scheduling, and fees. There's no obligation to begin therapy after the consultation.

The first full appointment is a 90-minute holistic intake. We'll explore the concerns that brought you to therapy and relevant aspects of your history, relationships, physical and emotional health, and social and cultural context. We'll begin identifying goals and developing an individualized plan. You don't have to share your entire story at once; we'll work at a thoughtful pace while gathering the information needed to guide treatment.

The therapeutic relationship matters. Alongside training and clinical experience, consider whether my communication style, values, and approach align with your preferences. I value collaboration, curiosity, and a balance of practical strategies and deeper exploration. You can learn more about me or explore my integrative approach before we meet.

My work is holistic and integrative. Depending on your needs, I may incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), relational and supportive psychotherapy, and other approaches and frameworks in which I've received training. Learn more about my therapeutic approaches.

Yes. I offer in-person sessions at my Austin office and secure telehealth sessions for clients who are physically located where I am authorized to practice, including Texas. We can discuss which format best meets your needs and privacy considerations.

Most clients begin with weekly or biweekly sessions. Frequency depends on your treatment needs, goals, and availability, and we'll revisit it together as therapy progresses.

Individual therapy is generally scheduled for approximately 50 or 60 minutes. Longer sessions may be arranged when clinically appropriate. The initial holistic intake is approximately 90 minutes. Fees depend on the service and duration, including applicable psychotherapy time thresholds. Visit Services & Fees for current standard rates; the detailed financial agreement is provided before treatment begins.

Appointments may be canceled or rescheduled without a late-cancellation fee with at least 24 hours' notice. Cancellations within 24 hours and missed appointments are subject to the full scheduled session fee, as described in the informed consent and financial agreement.

Healgood is a private-pay practice. I am not in network with commercial insurance plans and do not bill them directly. Payment is collected at the time of service, and I accept eligible HSA and FSA cards. If your plan includes out-of-network mental health benefits, I can provide a monthly superbill upon request for you to submit for possible reimbursement. Coverage and reimbursement vary by plan and are never guaranteed.

Why private pay? My decision reflects several considerations: insurance reimbursement often does not account for advanced training or specialization; claims generally require diagnostic information and may involve requests for documentation; plan rules can affect covered services and treatment frequency; and billing can create administrative delays, denials, recoupments, and unexpected balances. Private pay offers greater flexibility and clarity around fees and treatment decisions. It does not eliminate clinical documentation requirements or all legally permitted disclosures.

If you prefer an in-network therapist, your insurer can provide a directory of participating clinicians. Medicare works differently: see the separate Medicare question below.

I have formally opted out of Medicare. If you are a Medicare beneficiary and wish to receive Medicare-covered services from me privately, we must enter into a valid Medicare private contract before treatment. Under that contract, you agree to pay out of pocket; neither of us submits claims to Medicare for those covered services; and Medicare will not reimburse those payments.

This arrangement allows me to practice outside Medicare's billing structure, but it also means that you cannot use Medicare benefits to reimburse these contracted services. If you would prefer Medicare-covered care, I encourage you to contact Medicare or seek a participating provider. Please let me know about your Medicare coverage before scheduling so we can address the applicable requirements.

A superbill is a detailed receipt that may include dates of service, the amount charged, diagnostic information, my professional information, and relevant service (CPT) codes. You can submit it to a commercial insurer for consideration of out-of-network reimbursement if your plan allows it. A superbill is not a guarantee of reimbursement, and you remain responsible for the full fee. Medicare beneficiaries should review the separate Medicare answer rather than assuming a superbill can be submitted to Medicare.

Call the member services number on your insurance card and ask:

1. Does my plan include out-of-network outpatient mental health benefits, including care from a Texas Licensed Professional Counselor?
2. What is my out-of-network deductible, and how much have I met?
3. After my deductible, what percentage of the allowed amount will be reimbursed? Is reimbursement based on the allowed amount or the amount I paid?
4. Are telehealth and in-person sessions both covered?
5. Are there visit limits, prior-authorization requirements, or other restrictions?
6. Are the relevant psychotherapy CPT codes covered, and how do I submit claims and superbills?

Codes you may ask about include 90791 (psychiatric diagnostic evaluation), 90832 (individual psychotherapy, 16–37 minutes), 90834 (38–52 minutes), 90837 (53 minutes or longer), and 90846/90847 (family psychotherapy, without/with the patient present). Coverage depends on your plan and the service provided.

Write down the representative's name, the date, and a call reference number. Your insurer—not Healgood—determines coverage and reimbursement.

Yes. I accept major payment cards, including eligible Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards, as well as other payment methods permitted under my financial policies. Treatment is often an eligible expense, but your plan administrator determines eligibility and any documentation requirements. Payment is due at the time of service.

I reserve a limited number of reduced-fee appointments for clients experiencing financial barriers. Availability is not guaranteed, and fees are arranged individually based on financial circumstances and practice capacity. Review my sliding-scale policy or contact me about availability.

There are lower-cost options, and I encourage you to explore your in-network insurance benefits and community resources. Austin-area starting points include Capital Area Counseling, Integral Care, Austin Child Guidance Center, LifeWorks Austin, and Open Path Collective. For broader support with mental health care, housing, food, and other services, visit Texas 2-1-1 or dial 2-1-1. Please verify each organization's current eligibility, availability, and fees.

Healgood has been approved as a provider through the Texas Education Agency's Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES) program, formerly SSES. Program funds can be used only for eligible, approved services and in accordance with current program rules. If you plan to use PDSES funds, please contact me before scheduling so we can confirm current participation, eligibility, invoicing requirements, and payment arrangements. Where applicable, program invoices may need to be submitted through ClassWallet, and the family remains responsible for fees not paid by the program in accordance with our written agreement. Learn about PDSES through TEA.

Confidentiality is a foundation of our work. I protect client information under applicable professional, Texas, and federal requirements. There are exceptions, including circumstances involving mandatory reporting, certain safety concerns, and legally required disclosures. We'll review confidentiality and its limits during informed consent. You can also read Healgood's Notice of Privacy Practices.

Yes. When clinically appropriate and with the necessary authorization, I can coordinate care with psychiatrists, physicians, registered dietitians, and other healthcare professionals. Collaboration can be particularly helpful when mental and physical health needs intersect or multidisciplinary treatment is indicated.

You may request access to your records under applicable state and federal law. Please contact me through the contact page or use the secure client portal if you're an existing client. I'll provide instructions for the appropriate request process; identity verification or authorization may be required where applicable. Requests are handled in accordance with HIPAA and Texas law. You may also review Records & Consumer Rights.