Frequently Asked Questions

You can schedule your first appointment by calling our office at (678) 883-7340 or sending an email to anne@ahbcounseling.com. We'll do our best to get you scheduled within the same week whenever possible.

Your first session will focus on getting to know you and understanding your concerns. We'll discuss your mental health history, current challenges, and therapy goals. This session is also an opportunity for you to ask questions and determine if we're a good fit for working together.

Individual therapy sessions are 1 hour (60 minutes) long. Couples therapy sessions may be 60-90 minutes depending on the complexity of the issues being addressed. Initial intake sessions may run slightly longer to allow time for comprehensive assessment.

All therapy sessions are conducted virtually through secure video conferencing. This allows for convenient, flexible scheduling from the comfort of your own home or any private location. Sessions are conducted through a HIPAA-compliant platform to ensure your privacy and confidentiality.

We accept the following insurance plans: Aetna, Ambetter, BlueCross and BlueShield, Cigna and Evernorth, Optum, UnitedHealthcare (UHC/UBH), and Out of Network options. We recommend calling your insurance provider to verify your mental health benefits, including copay amounts and any deductible requirements. Our office can also help verify your benefits.

We offer competitive self-pay rates for those without insurance coverage. We also provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement and can discuss payment plan options if needed. Mental health services may also be covered by FSA or HSA accounts.

Session fees vary depending on your insurance coverage. For self-pay clients, individual sessions are $150 and couples sessions are $175. We believe everyone deserves access to mental health care and will work with you to find an affordable solution.

We have a limited number of sliding scale spots available for clients experiencing financial hardship. Please discuss your situation with us during your initial consultation, and we'll work together to find a fee structure that works for your budget.

Consider therapy if you're experiencing persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or stress that interfere with daily life; relationship difficulties; major life transitions; or if you simply want to improve your mental health and personal growth. You don't need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy.

The length of therapy varies greatly depending on your individual needs, goals, and circumstances. Some people benefit from short-term therapy (8-12 sessions) for specific issues, while others prefer longer-term support. We'll regularly discuss your progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.

I integrate various evidence-based approaches including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for trauma, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) for mood disorders and emotional regulation, Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (CBCT) for couples dealing with PTSD, Vestibular Therapy for anxiety and stress assessment, and specialized Substance Abuse Counseling. The specific methods used will depend on your individual needs and what research shows is most effective for your concerns.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I cannot prescribe medication. However, I work closely with psychiatrists and primary care physicians when medication might be beneficial as part of your treatment plan. I can provide referrals and coordinate care with your medical providers.

Yes, therapy is confidential. What we discuss in sessions stays between us, with very limited exceptions required by law: if there's imminent danger to yourself or others, suspected child or elder abuse, or court-ordered disclosure. I'll always discuss these limits during our first session.

No, I will not share information about our sessions with family members, friends, or anyone else without your written consent. For minors (under 18), parents have certain rights to information, which we'll discuss during the initial session.

All client records are stored securely in compliance with HIPAA regulations. Electronic records are encrypted and password-protected. Video sessions use HIPAA-compliant platforms. We take your privacy very seriously and follow all professional and legal standards.

To protect your confidentiality, I will not acknowledge you in public unless you acknowledge me first. If we do interact, I'll follow your lead regarding how you'd like to handle the situation, and I won't discuss anything related to therapy.

Please provide at least 24 hours notice for cancellations to avoid a $75 cancellation fee. We understand that emergencies happen, and we'll work with you on a case-by-case basis. You can reschedule by calling our office or using our online system.

For non-emergency situations, you can leave a voicemail and I'll return your call within one business day. For mental health emergencies, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. I'll provide you with additional crisis resources during our first session.

I work with teenagers, and adults. For younger clients (teens), I use developmentally appropriate therapeutic approaches tailored to their specific needs. Parent/guardian involvement is typically required for minors, and we'll discuss the specifics during the initial consultation.

If you feel therapy isn't helping, please bring this up in session so we can discuss it openly. We might need to adjust our approach, explore different techniques, or consider if a referral to another therapist might be beneficial. Your feedback is crucial for effective treatment.