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fees + Frequently asked questions:
Do you accept insurance?
I do not accept insurance.
Some insurance companies will reimburse you for a percentage of my sessions fees. To determine if this is an option for you, I suggest asking your insurance if they reimburse for sessions with an "out of network" mental health provider. I am able to provide a superbill for you to submit to insurance once per month.
Note: I am unable to gaurantee you will be reimbursed by your insurance company and I do not offer filing on your behalf.
I can't afford your fees. Do you have any suggestions?
I offer limited sliding scale spots for 50 minute sessions for those with financial need. Students are prioritized for these spots. Note: All sliding fee slots are currently full.
If finances are a barrier to mental health for you at this time, please know there are budget-friendly options. If you have health insurance, start by contacting your insurance provider and ask about your behavioral/mental health coverage options. They may have a list of therapists who accept your insurance. If paying out of pocket, some wonderful places to start in the Austin area:
How will I know if this is the right fit for me?
I recommend starting with a phone consultation for this reason. We can discuss more about what you are looking for. If you are new to counseling, I can help guide you. If we choose to schedule a session, I'll check in for the first 3-5 sessions to see how you are feeling. I take feedback very seriously and will always work to accommodate your needs. If it's not the right fit for us, I will provide you with referrals to other counselors who may be a better fit for you.
How many sessions will I need and how often will we meet?
This answer varies depending on your presenting needs. Ideally, all new clients would start out by meeting with me weekly so we can determine if we are a good fit, get momentum going, and build a relationship. Frequency of sessions may impact progress. After a few months, or after you are feeling more equipped, we may want to move sessions to every other week. As far as length of time, some clients see me for a few months and others a few years. Some clients take breaks for therapy and come back to see me when they need to. There is absolutely no requirement or commitment on your part for length of time or frequency of sessions.
What will our first session be like?
Our first session is our opportunity to start getting to know each other, handle administrative paperwork needs, discuss expectations, answer questions, and dive right in to whatever is on your mind. I'll do my best to find out as much information as I feel necessary for me to know how to meet your therapeutic needs in our time together. By the end of the first session, I will remind you that attending sessions is completely up to you, and sometimes it takes meeting a few therapists before deciding who to move forward with. We will discuss how you felt about the session and discuss if we feel good about scheduling a second session or if you need some time to think about it first.
What types of clients do you work with?
I work with individual clients ages 18 and older. I do not work with couples. I specialize in working with those who identify with the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) personality trait. I offer EMDR for trauma or anxiety work.
How do Telehealth sessions work?
I offer Telehealth sessions to remain accessible to clients who live anywhere in the state of Texas. I use an online video platform for all sessions that is HIPAA compliant and secure. You will join the video session at your allotted session time using your computer, phone or other digital device and we will conduct the session remotely. I ask my clients to find a comfortable, quiet, and private location that is free from distraction or disruption.
Can EMDR be done over Telehealth?
Yes. EMDR has been successfully done with my clients using Telehealth. I have taken additional training to accommodate performing EMDR work remotely.
What are your qualifications?
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Texas. I have completed an undergraduate degree and a graduate degree. I spent 3.5 years earning my Master's degree in Professional Counseling from Texas State University and another 2 years completing my post-graduate clinical hours under supervision from a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S).
There are other types of practitioners who are qualified to provide mental health services (social workers and psychologists to name a few). Counselors are another. The difference is in the curriculum of our graduate work and licensure requirements vary by state. All of them require a graduate degree and clinically supervised work. Read my blog on the topic for more.
Do you have a question you want answered that you don't see listed above? Feel free to email me at shira@shiraklazmer.com and I will answer within 48 hours.
